The above illusion was from one of Doug’s last specials “Magic on Broadway in 1982. This was kind of a greatest hits show, and eagle-eyed fans will also remember it from “Merlin.” In fact, the “Merlin” version was preserved for posterity when the cast performed an excerpt from the show on the Tony’s featured below.
Tag: magic
Complete “Magic Show” Libretto: Part: Final Part
Special Thanks to Michael Mitnick
Complete “Magic Show” Libretto: Part:2
Hello, everyone! Sorry for the delay in more pages from the libretto of “The Magic Show.” Between the four year anniversary of the site and Doug’s birthday some posts took precedent. So, enough of me! Without further ado is Part 2… Special Thanks to Michael Mitnick
Happy Birthday Doug!
Today, May 3rd, is what would have been Doug’s 74th birthday! A website, fan’s remembrances, and collections can never fully substitute for the man himself. However, it’s important that we continue to keep his memory alive and a topic of conversation well into the future. I feel that’s been happening over the last few years,…
Four Years of The Doug Henning Project!
Today, May 1st, marks four years of doing “The Doug Henning Project.” When I began this website I didn’t really know what to expect, or how it would be received. It goes without saying that its reception exceeded all my wildest expectations, and it has been my pleasure to write and produce posts for you since…
Complete “Magic Show” Libretto: Part:1
A big thank you to Michael Mitnick who was more than kind enough to send me an original copy of the libretto from “The Magic Show.” It goes without saying that it’s a fascinating read, and one that I’ll be breaking up over several days. As there are no videos of the original Broadway production,…
Jerry Andrus Performing for Doug and Debbie
The above photo is of renowned magician Jerry Andrus (1918-2007) performing for Doug and Debby. This event took place at the Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon. While the year is a bit of a mystery, it’s safe to say it was in the mid-1980s. This picture represents a magical meeting of the minds…so to…
Two Doug Caricatures by Dean Carnegie!
The above caricatures of Doug were made by magician and podcaster Dean Carnegie, and each one represents a very unique and abstract take on everyone’s favorite magician. As there were always many sides and levels of Doug, these two drawings represent him all too well. Special Thanks to Dean Carnegie http://www.carnegiemagic.com http://www.themagicdetective.com
Doug Performance Photos- Pittsburgh May, 1981
These phenomenal pictures come from the collection of magician Tom Interval. They were taken by him at Pittsburgh’s Stanley Theater on May 5, 1981, and really give you a sense of the drama and artistry that went in to all of Doug’s performances. While all of us have seen these two illusions on television before….
7 Front Row Doug Performance Photos on EBay
Scouring Doug items on EBay is kind of a mixed bag. There’s a lot of standard stuff that was mass produced, and floods the page (i.e. Wonder Whims, programs, etc). But, every now and then you come across some unique nuggets that make it worth your while. Case in point, these seven performance photos that…
Doug and Dai Vernon at the 1978 S.A.M Convention
Sorry for the lack of posts this week. But, due to some work related projects many balls have been in the air this week. However, I wanted to get something quick off to everyone, and this picture of Doug and Dai Vernon at the 1978 S.A.M. New York convention does the trick! I’ve only seen cropped,…
Magic Collectors’ Corner Returns!
I can’t think of a better way to start my 700th post than with the announcement that the “Magic Collectors’ Corner” is back this Sunday! Last year, this online Zoom show thrilled audiences over 33 weeks with a deep dive into all things magic and magic history. There was even one show dedicated to Doug…
Christian Slater on Merlin
In the almost four years I’ve been doing this website I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned that Christian Slater was in “Merlin” as a child actor. Yup, that Christian Slater played the young “Merlin” in this infamous and fabled production. As he’s had a rich and varied career since, I’ve always wondered what he had to say…
1985 Fox Theater St. Louis Dancing Handkerchief Photo
There’s a lot to love in this photo of Doug and Debbie performing the always fun “Dancing Handkerchief” routine. This was taken at St. Louis’s Fox Theater circa 1985, and really shows the fun the two were having performing this famous illusion. A dancing handkerchief, or a picture, really does speak a thousand words! Special…
One Wacky 1980’s “How To” Magic Article with Doug!
Just when you thought you’ve seen everything. In my travels online, I came across this single page, and it’s a bit of a head scratcher to say the least. Alternately fun and frightening, the article clearly was a “how to” article for kids to learn “magic.” I love the design choices in this. Taken at…
CAM JAM w/ Chip Romero this Wednesday!
Hey everyone! It’s great to be rested and relaxed after a week off and back in action. Let’s get to it! I’m particularly excited about today’s post as it features a very special live event this coming Wednesday, April 14th at 8pm EST. The Society of Canadian Magicians will be featuring Henning collector extraordinaire Chip…
Doug Henning Face Mask
You can chalk the above item to one of the most timely bits of Doug merchandise out there today. Yes for $15 you can be a proud owner of a Doug Henning “Magic Show” face mask. The poster art itself is from the 1981 filmed version of the musical, and it certainly makes for a…
Unseen Magic Show Publicity Photo: Part 4
Photographed by Martha Swope Cort Theater Marquee Photo by Brian Lumley
Unseen Magic Show Publicity Photo: Part 3
Photo by Martha Swope Cort Theater Marquee Photo by Brian Lumley
Doug and Debbie Houdini Plaza 1986 Performance
I’d be remiss in not mentioning that yesterday, March 24th, was Harry Houdini’s 147th birthday. In honor of that special day, I thought it would be appropriate to post the above photo of Doug and Debbie in May, 1986. Where was it taken you ask? Well, if the town of Appleton, Wisconsin means anything to…
Joe Abaldo “This is Broadway” Radio Interview
For those looking for a blast to the past, check out this radio interview with Magic Show understudy and star Joe Abaldo for the radio series “This is Broadway.” The program itself was recorded over 30 some years ago, and syndicated to stations across the country as a way to give listeners a taste of…
Doug’s Understudies-Peter DePaula Playbill
Over the next couple days I wanted to focus on the unsung heroes of “The Magic Show”…Doug’s Understudies! At the time, Doug had issues with the idea of the show continuing without him. As the show’s producer Edgar Lansbury said in John Harrison’s book “Spellbound:” “Doug was always convinced that nobody else could do these…
Haversat & Ewing Auction Results
Last month I profiled two very unique items featured in Haversat & Ewing’s February auction. The first being an extremely rare “Henning and Mars” signed publicity portrait (one that I’ve never seen). The other a vibrant hand drawn portrait by the great Gary Darwin. Who won these items you ask? Drumroll please… Chip Romero is…
Linking Ring- March,1972 (Doug in Hollywood)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Many of us have read about Doug’s early days in Hollywood studying with Dai Vernon at the “Magic Castle.” However, this my friends is the real deal. Written at the time it was happening, this article gives us a first hand account of the whispers and rumors surrounding this Doug Henning….
Original “Magic Show” Program
Magician Mumdo Marzouki was kind enough to share with me recently some items from his collection. What struck me with this item from “The Magic Show” was that there even was a larger program. I had seen the original Playbill from the Cort Theater before. However, I was even unaware of this tantalizing three page…
Reno “Showtime” Magazine-August, 1979
Special Thanks to Michael Whitecar
“Abracadabra” Sept. 1974-Doug and the Larsens
The pictures below hail from the September 21st, 1974 issue of “Abracadabra.” Profiling that year’s S.A.M Boston Convention, the event was seemingly a who’s who of magic at that time. Most notable is the picture of Doug with Bill and Irene Larsen, co-founders of the “Magic Castle.” In fact, it was Bill Larsen who began…
1985 Doug Henning/Tom Jones Playbill
Special Thanks to Ken McCreedy
Cort Theater Renovation and Expansion
Some good news out of New York City is that Broadway’s Cort Theater is scheduled for a full renovation and expansion. Known for being one of the theater district’s smaller venues, the theater already has the hearts and minds of magic fans as being the original home of “The Magic Show” from 1974-1978. To read…
AI Animated Doug Head
This modern technological miracle comes to me from Doug fan Peter Ross. Click away! I’m sure you’ve been seeing this latest trending craze of turning famous people’s photographs into lifelike three dimensional renderings. In fact, it’s so popular that John Cox of Wild About Harry coincidentally did one of Houdini today. While it’s hard to…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 