Let’s talk about your graphic novel, “The Millionaires Magician,” how did that start? Well, you already know the answer. The answer is Doug Henning… Yeah. You’ll never believe it but when I was a little boy, about eight or nine years old, I used to draw my own comic books. One of the cartoon characters…
Tag: magic
Steve Cohen Interview: Part Three
Is there anything that you may have gleaned from Doug when you were younger that you may take with you in your own act? I would say his obvious glee and real love for his magic. Also, the obvious glee and love that he turned outward toward his audience. Doug was not performing for himself;…
Steve Cohen Interview: Part Two
Can you talk about the two times you saw Doug perform live? For this interview, I dug out two ticket stubs from my collection. One of them is for “Merlin” on February 23, 1983. The other ticket was for “Doug Henning’s World of Magic” on Saturday, December 22, 1984. I vividly remember going to “Doug…
Steve Cohen Interview: Part One
Over this week, I will be featuring an interview I conducted recently with acclaimed New York magician Steve Cohen. Steve is very well known in the magic and entertainment communities for his must-see show “Chamber Magic.” This intimate evening harkens back to magic salons of the past, and over the last twenty years has become…
Things that Go Bump in the Night-Magic Show Version
In his career, Doug did many versions of the famed illusion “Things that Go Bump in the Night.” While I have posted this illusion from the TV specials before, this version comes from the early 80s made for TV “Magic Show.” It’s a fun and lively version that is sure to send you into the…
NYPL Photo Archive: Zig Zag Woman, Sawing in Half, and Bed of Spikes
All Photos by Ken Duncan These photos are copyrighted by the New York Public Library’s Billy Rose Theater Division. Any unauthorized usage of those for profit or personal promotion is in violation of copyright laws.
NYPL Photo Archive: The Magic Show Part Three
All Photos by Ken Duncan These photos are copyrighted by the New York Public Library’s Billy Rose Theater Division. Any unauthorized usage of those for profit or personal promotion is in violation of copyright laws.
NYPL Photo Archive: The Magic Show Part Two
Let’s do it again shall we folks? I have to say I’m really loving this collection of photos. What strikes me the most about them is that their electricity and energy truly make you feel as if you’re in the Cort Theater’s front row circa 1974. As these pictures prove, the production itself was sparse and…
Doug and Debby Veda Land Promotional Photo
The above photo comes from an article primarily focusing on the Maharishi and his practices. However, for today’s post I decided to focus on the most interesting part…Doug and Debby unique publicity photo. Aside from the model of “Veda Land” itself, the photo has an interesting mirror effect as its backdrop. However, if you look…
Candada 150: Doug Pop Art Portrait!
The above art is called “Jumpsuits and Mullets,” and was made in conjunction with 2017’s “Canada 150” celebration . This year long event commemorated, you guessed it, Canada’s 150th birthday. The work itself is acrylic on wood panel and, if you’re like me, it’s now your wallpaper on your smart phone. The artist, Dan Springer,…
Doug Henning’s World of Instagram: Julie Newmar Rehearsal Photo (Alternative Angle)
In a post from a couple years ago, I featured publicity images from Doug’s “World of Magic I” rehearsals with Julie Newmar. While at the time I thought I had printed all that was out there, this little gem came up today on Instagram. The picture doesn’t seem as staged as the previous ones, and…
Doug Henning’s World of Instagram: Unseen Chita Rivera Photo
The above photo comes from the National Portrait Gallery’s Instagram account (@smitsoniannpg). It goes without saying that this photo features Chita Rivera in her role as the evil Queen in “Merlin.” Taken in a dressing room, this picture really showcases the beautiful and detailed costuming that was prevalent in the production as a whole. Even in…
Doug’s Henning’s World of Instagram: Merlin Marquee
The world wide web isn’t the only place to uncover rare Doug treasures. Instagram also has some nuggets waiting quietly to be discovered. The above picture comes from @bygonebroadway, and show’s the original “Merlin” marquee in all its glory. I personally had never seen this photo before, and was struck by how thirty-seven years its…
Criss Angel Doug Tribute
The last person you would probably expect to be a Doug fan is Criss Angel. Yeah, that Criss Angel. While their stage personas couldn’t be more dissimilar, this video clip from 2010’s “Mindfreak” proves that Criss Angel will go to any length to show his devotion to the man, the myth, the Henning. Any length…
“Magic Magazine” 2000 Doug Tribute Issue: Part One
I remembered recently that I had promised some months ago to feature both tribute issues from “Genii” and “Magic” from the time of Doug’s passing. As I’m a man of my word, here is the March, 2000 issue of “Magic.” I’ve always been struck by the simplicity and elegance of this cover. By featuring Doug being…
“Good Morning Captain” TV Cameo
File this Doug appearance under “blink and you’ll miss it!” While many of us have seen Doug’s extended 1975 appearance on “Captain Kangaroo.” (If you haven’t a link can be found HERE ) But, did you know that he appeared once again in 1976? This lengthy opening recently found its way on You Tube, and features Doug…
Veda Land Article feat. Full Scale Model of Park
Now I know we’ve all seen a lot about Doug’s failed theme park “Veda Land.” Every article about it seems to frame it as imminent and a mind blowing experience like none other. But, what I like in particular about this magazine piece is that it features quite a large model of the park itself…
Original Stage Manager”Merlin” Script with Notes: Part 2
And without further ado, the second and final part of Act 1, Scene 6 of (insert drum roll here) “Merlin!” Special Thanks to John Harrison
Original Stage Manager”Merlin” Script with Notes
The following script excerpts comes courtesy of John Harrison, author of the excellent biography “Spellbound: The Wonder-Filled Life of Doug Henning.” I’ll be posting it over the next couple of days, but rather than talk about the script myself, I’ll let John explain it further. “It is Act I, Scene 6 (the final act prior…
“World of Magic IV” Unseen Photos: Final Part
They say all good things must come to an end, and today’s post is no exception. Yes, dear readers, we’ve come to the end (for now) of Dave Collier’s impressive collection of never before seen photos from the first four “World of Magic” specials. It’s been a real honor and treat for me to be able…
“World of Magic IV” Unseen Photos: Part Two
Special thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin These and future photographs are copyrighted by Dave Collier. Any usage of them outside of this website, without his or The Magic Castle Library’s permission, will be considered an infringement of their use.
“World of Magic IV” Unseen Photos: Part One
Special thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin These and future photographs are copyrighted by Dave Collier. Any usage of them outside of this website, without his or The Magic Castle Library’s permission, will be considered an infringement of their use.
“Toronto Sun” 1973- Doug and Maya Zig-Zag Photo Spread
The above newspaper article comes from December of 1973. For anyone else that date may not mean much, but for all the Doug fans out there this is the month and year that “Spellbound” premiered. Doug, assisted by Maya, displays the well known “Zig-Zag” to bemused reporter George Anthony. Now I’ve gone into “Spellbound” in greater…
“The Magic Show” Movie-Up to His Old Tricks Opening Number
Happy Monday folks! The above clip comes from the opening of “The Magic Show” movie. It sets the stage (so to speak) for this televised version of the show to be a kind of “Doug’s Greatest Hits” package. In it, the “Mis-Made” and “Handkerchief” illusions make a welcome re-appearance to an enthusiastic audience. While the…
“World of Magic III” Unseen Photos: Part Four
1977 was a good year for wasn’t it? Besides being the year of my birth, it featured Doug’s walking through a wall illusion. Done in a blink and you’ll miss it fashion, this illusion still has the ability to grab us 42 years later. How did he do it? Well, that my friends is magic. …
“World of Magic III” Unseen Photos: Part Three
Special Thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin These and future photographs are copyrighted by Dave Collier. Any usage of them outside of this website, without his or The Magic Castle Library’s permission, will be considered an infringement of their use.
“World of Magic III” Unseen Pictures: Part One
For all of our U.S. readers Happy Labor Day! For everyone not in the U.S., let’s ease into this Monday with more never before seen photos from 1977’s “World of Magic III.”Hosted by Glenn Campbell, the special would feature Doug’s variation on walking though a brick wall, spectacular close-up magic, Sandy Duncan, and very. very…
1982’s “World of Magic” Newspaper Clipping
Both Doug and guest star Ann Jillian seem in various states of surprise in this promotional clipping from 1982. As you may know the special starred Ann Jillian, a then Bruce Jenner (Caitlyn) Jenner, Billy Crystal, and Cherish Alexander. Throughout the show, they all explored a big magical house, and you’ll just have to wait…
