In this final installment, the files go into much more written detail on how the park was envisioned and what it would have contained for visitors. Doug’s thoughts are sprinkled throughout, and the descriptions themselves paint a good picture as to what they were thinking of in terms of spectacle. Do I think Doug would…
Tag: magic
Veda Land Files: Correspondence with Doug and Designers
Building a theme park isn’t all fun and games. No further proof of that is the correspondence featured below. In these letters, a budget has been delivered to Doug from the chairman of RS, Eduard Feuer, to commence work on “Veda Land.” However, if you read between the lines, the quoted prices may have been…
Veda Land Files: Rides, Rides, Rides!
Well here are again. Sorry for the day’s delay in posts, but as you can see the wait was certainly worth it. If there was any doubt that the scope of Veda Land was expansive than look no further than below. Featured today are the ride schematics/concepts behind what would have entertained guests if the…
Vintage 1985 Variety Ad
This ad was featured in Variety on October 16, 1985 and, as you can read, thanks Doug for 8 successful shows at the O’Keefe Centre in Toronto. Doug was always a powerhouse touring machine, and this ad proves that well into the 1980s he was still highly in demand. Anyone out there want to tackle how…
Doug Henning Statue
If you’re looking for a good chuckle on this Saturday, then look no further than this statue. I found it recently hiding on a nearby shelf while I was conducting research for next week’s articles. Somewhere I think is Doug is laughing… Special Thanks to Lisa Cousins
“Doug Henning’s Magical World” Documentary Facebook Page
Hello All, I wanted to let you know about a special project I have been working on for almost a year: a feature length documentary on the life and work of, you guessed it, Doug Henning. “Doug Henning’s Magical World” is the definitive documentary on our favorite magician. Interviews have already been conducted in Los…
Very Early “Henning and Mars” Publicity Photo
In the year and a half that I have been running this site, I have published A LOT of pictures of Doug and his career. But, the one featured above is one I had never seen before. It features Doug and his assistant, then girlfriend Mars Barrick, in a publicity still from the early 70s. …
Doug on Andy Williams?
Today’s post comes about from an email I recently received from Doug fan and ex-magic builder Russell Bruce. Here’s an excerpt: “A friend and I are really big fans of Dougs, and have been searching for anyone with a copy of Dougs appearance on the Andy Williams Show. In this appearance, they performed the opening…
Houdini’s 100th Birthday Article
John Cox ‘s excellent website Wild About Harry recently featured a New York Daily News article from 1974 covering a Doug live event that even yours truly didn’t know occurred. In honor of Houdini’s 100th birthday, Doug and his “Magic Show” co-star Dale Soules performed one of Houdini’s signature illusions in front of the famed Plaza…
Doug Henning Magic Kit Ebay Item
Hey All! Lisa England was kind enough to let me know about her recent Doug item that’s currently on Ebay. As you can see, it’s the one of the rare Holy Grails of Doug merchandise, Tenyo’s “Magic You Can Do Kit.” While I’ll be sitting this one out, I hope one of our lucky readers…
Top Hat Magazine-Very Early Doug Cover
The above image is obviously very early in Doug’s career, and features a picture of him that isn’t seen very often. However, it’s interesting to note that the one that is featured on this cover was obviously taken the same day as the more well known shots of a young smiling Doug dressed in a…
“World of Magic 2” Print Interview
The above article comes from Craig Schwarz and is a bit of a mystery as I have no idea where it came from really. Was it a newspaper or magazine is anyone’s guess? Regardless, it’s a quick and interesting read from around the time of “World of Magic 2.” For that reason alone it’s worth…
Doug Henning Barbados Postcard
The above postcard is rare in the sense that it is a direct remnant of Doug’s trip to Barbados as a teenager. After his first television appearance, Doug decided to take advantage of a free flight to Barbados due to his father being an airline pilot. Yes it’s good to have perks. While performing magic…
Rare “World of Magic II” Pop Art Ad
You can chuck this advertisement into the “rare and obscure bin.” This was obviously made for “World of Magic II,” and truly combines the best of what 1970s pop art had to offer at the time. It takes a lot to make Doug Henning look frightening and, well, this comes pretty darn close. Does anyone…
“Den of Tigers” Newspaper Ad
This creatively worded advertisement was for the final live “World of Magic” special. Originally broadcast on December 14, 1978, this special was plagued by numerous issues, not least of which was a tiger escaping through the halls of NBC . However, none of this chaos was visible to the holiday audiences at home, and from that…
Potter and Potter Upcoming Auction: Doug Memorabilia
For all those Doug collectors out there “Potter & Potter Auctions” was kind enough to share with me two Doug related items from their upcoming Summer auction. Get out those checkbooks! Here they are: For more information please visit: https://potterauctions.com/ Special Thanks to Rebekah Kaufman.
Candid Doug and Shark Photo
This past weekend at the Hollywood Bowl “Jaws” was screened with live orchestral accompaniment. While I wasn’t able to attend I have the next best thing right here in today’s post. This photo was taken during preparations for the 1979 Hilton Television Special. The illusion itself was only performed once due to its precarious nature….
The Floating Ball
What better way to end your week with this soothing and relaxing clip of Doug performing the famous “Floating Ball” illusion? Originally featured on “World of Magic II,” this deceptively simple illusion is elevated to another level (no pun intended) with Doug’s skill and precision. Last September you may remember I posted the version Doug…
Wonder Whim in Original Box
Now everyone in Doug Henning’s “World of Magic” knows what a Wonder Whim is. What you don’t? Well here’s one in its original box. While doing research for the site, I recently stumbled across this gem of 1980s nostalgia tucked safely behind a nearby desk. I’ve talked about Doug’s failed venture into the toy market…
Never Before Seen Backstage Production Photos
The pictures featured below are a hodgepodge of never before seen production photos from “World of Magic 6 and 7,” as well as the filmed version of “The Magic Show.” All of them really give a nice snapshot (no pun intended) into what went into making these legendary specials. Special Thanks to Steve Zigmont-Doug Henning…
TV Specials Footage Needed
Hello All, I need to ask a bit of a favor. I’m looking for good quality footage from the “World of Magic” NBC TV specials (preferably the earlier ones.) It’s for an upcoming authorized project that I can explain more to you if you email or private message me on Facebook. Thanks so much and…
Photos from the Mark Willoughby Collection: Part Two
Enjoy this second and final part to these photos from the Mark Willoughby Collection, and if you’re in Los Angeles like me (try to stay cool).
Photos from the Mark Willoughby Collection: Part One
The Hennaisance continues…. Doug fan and all around nice guy Mark Willoughby was kind enough to share some photos from his collection with the website. Some you may have seen and some are alternative versions of classic shots, but without a doubt each one is 100% Henning!
Doug and Barbara De Angelis Wedding Invitation
The above picture is an extremely rare wedding invitation to Doug’s 1977 marriage to his first wife Barbara DeAngelis. The wedding itself took place in the Pacific Palisades section of of Los Angeles at the “LaVenta Inn,” and was attended by 150 guests. Ironically, the only magicians in attendance that day were Charles Reynolds, Bill…
July Fourth Fan Art!
What better way to celebrate our country’s independence than with this impressive colored pencil drawing from talented Doug fan, Dean Huck? As you all know, it’s a recreation of one of Doug’s most iconic pictures. In fact, it’s the one I use on the splash page of this very website! So, wherever you are on this…
“Illusion and Reality” Poster feat. Jay Marshall
The above poster or flyer comes from Doug’s popular lecture tour “Illusion and Reality,” and is markedly different than the one that most fans recognize below. The tour itself was a mixture of Doug’s more famous illusions with a lecture on psychology and the mind. It’s interesting to note that the first poster famous lists illusionist/ventriloquist…
1978 Entertainer of the Year Award
The above newspaper clipping comes from Michael Whitecar, and shows Doug as he won the Entertainer of the Year Award for 1978. While the quality is a little fuzzy, it’s the picture itself that counts, and shows Doug at a time in his career when he was at the top of his game. I wonder where…
“Merlin” Golden Key Chain Ticket
As it’s been a while since we’ve talked about “Merlin” on the site, I figured what better time than with today’s post. This commemorative key chain ticket was part of a package deal that you could get along with an expanded program (for an extra charge of course.) That expanded program was featured on the…
Doug’s Santa Monica Workshop
The above photo is a screen grab from Doug’s segment on “Life Styles of the Rich and Famous” in 1986, and features his Santa Monica warehouse and workshop. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of this city, buildings over time get torn down and disappear altogether. Well, not this building. Michael Grandinetti was kind enough…
Brian Lumley Recollections: The Final Round
When he saw how embarrassed Doug was when his PR plan didn’t work, Ali agreed to a similar shot. We tried a couple of stationary positions on the cliff edge with the three of them. But for personal and professional reasons Ali did not like to get close to the cat. If he did get…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 