Original Airdate: December 23, 1976 Special Thanks to Brian Lumley
Tag: NBC
World of Magic ’76: Vanishing Elephant Opening in Full
Original Airdate: December 23, 1976 Special Thanks to Brian Lumley
Longview Daily News (12/19/1975)-World of Magic ’75
I like this vintage article for many reasons. Not least of which are the pictures which aren’t often seen. The one immediately below, and the two at the end, were taken while Doug was in rehearsals at 75 Ninth Avenue in Manhattan. I also enjoy how this article gives the show the gravity and respect…
Alternative “Magic on Broadway” NBC Commercial
In another blink and you’ll miss moment, here’s a brief commercial for Doug’s “Magic on Broadway” special. Last May I posted another version that had different variations and scenes than this one. However, the best thing about it, in my humble opinion, is an appearance by David Hasselhoff (The Hoff) at the end. Can you…
Tonight Show: 1984 Firedome Appearance
In November of 2018, I posted this appearance of Doug on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.” This nine minutes from 1984 is notable for the amount of illusions and time Doug puts into it. From the “Firedome,”to simple sleight of hand, it’s a great clip overall. So, you can imagine my disappointment, when You Tube eventually…
World of Magic ’79: Walking Through the Mirror Illusion in Full
In this 1979 clip from “World of Magic,” Doug dazzles the audience with Jim Steinmeyer’s “Walking Through the Mirror Illusion.” It’s a truly impressive illusion, and one that Doug would take out in his various stage shows. It even appeared on a 1981 appearance on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show,” which can be found HERE If…
Doug Henning Meet The Golden Girls
You wouldn’t often associate Doug’s name with the beloved sitcom “The Golden Girls.” However, these two worlds did indeed collide in this vintage clip from 1990 where Sophia dresses up like Sonny Bono…or did she? It’s good to know that several years after his retirement, Doug was still getting name checked on his old network…
“World of Magic ’75” Publicity Photo: Doug Torture Cell Rehearsal
The above 1975 publicity photo was used in the run up to the live broadcast of “World of Magic.” It does a nice job of bringing up the parallels of Doug and Houdini in their respective cells and, above all, places in history. We also get an ultra rare glimpse of Doug in the rehearsals…
The Tonight Show: Martin Short
Well, dear readers, unless I uncover some other nugget hidden under a rock somewhere, this 43 second clip may indeed be the last of Martin Short’s Doug impersonation available on the internet. Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” is the stuff of legend, and as you’ll see Short’s impersonation of Doug brings Carson to hysterics. The clip as…
1985 “Saturday Night Live” Martin Short Sketch
While we’re on the topic of some Martin Short parodies, I wanted to revisit a “Saturday Night Live” 1985 sketch that I tried to post way back in 2019. At the time, this link was on the NBC website, but it has since been taken down. So, imagine my surprise when I recently found it…
“Magic on Broadway” NBC Commercial
It’s a blink and you’ll miss it moment from TV’s yesteryear. In this brief clip, Doug’s final special “Magic on Broadway” is promoted on NBC. Anybody else out there miss commercials like these? Original Commercial Air Date: November 12, 1982
“World of Magic ’78:” Silk Illusion and Balancing Bowl with Brooke Shields
My apologies for some of the picture quality in today’s post. As you can imagine, after 43 years some versions of this special are going to have some “technical difficulties.” However, for all you eagle-eyed observers out there, I have a fun fact for you. At the time code mark of 2:15, you’ll be able…
World of Magic ’82-Chocolate Milk Illusion
When you think of magic, who doesn’t think of chocolate milk? In this clip from the final “World of Magic” special, Doug entertains guests Anne Jillian, Cherish Alexander, Debby Henning, and Kaitlyn Jenner while magically serving them ever expanding glasses of chocolate milk. The theme of the show was Doug’s magical house, and while magic…
World of Magic ’82: Hoop Illusion in Full
Original Air Date: February 14, 1982
“World of Magic ’76”-Elephant Reappearance in Full
Original Air Date: 12/23/1976 Special Thanks to Brian Lumley for providing the Splash Page photo. All copyrights for that photo belong to Brian Lumley.
“World of Magic ’75” Publicity Photo and Material
Special Thanks to Jim Klodzen
“World of Magic ’75:” NBC Rebroadcast Newspaper Ad
Special Thanks to Jim Klodzen
Sunday Post Tribune-December 21, 1975
The following comes from Northwest Indiana’s “Post- Tribune,” and has a lot to offer. Not least of which is the cover, which has Henning and Houdini sharing the same page together. It’s a great cover, and if you look towards the bottom they were still listing Orson Welles as the special guest mere days before…
Magic Magazine-World of Magic 40th Anniversary Part. 3
The End… “REPRINTED FROM MAGIC MAGAZINE WITH PERMISSION © STAN ALLEN, INC. 2022.”
Magic Magazine-World of Magic 40th Anniversary Part.2
To Be Concluded Tomorrow… “REPRINTED FROM MAGIC MAGAZINE WITH PERMISSION © STAN ALLEN, INC. 2022.”
World of Magic ’77-Artist’s Dream Illusion in Full
Original Air Date: December 15, 1977
World of Magic IV-Medieval Thread Illusion in Full
The above appearance was from Doug’s fourth “World of Magic” special in 1978. The special itself features co-hosts Brooke Shields and Tom Bosley accompanying Doug on a whirlwind journey through time, space, and various international countries. While some moments in the special may not hold up well viewed through a 21st-century eye, it definitely features…
“World of Magic ’76” Rope Illusion in Full
Original Air Date: December 23, 1976
Chicago Sun Times: TV Prevue (Dec 1975)
Special Thanks to Michael Johnson’s insightful book “Magician Doug Henning Collectibles Guide.”
World of Magic ’75: Water Torture Cell Finale in Full
Folks, as I teased earlier in the week, this is it! I present to you what is probably the most famous moment in Doug’s career, Houdini’s Water Torture Cell. Fifty million people tuned in live to watch the finale to Doug’s first special. To say they got their money’s worth was an understatement! It’s worth…
“World of Magic ’75:” Gene Kelly Intro
By starting the week with this particular clip, I’m sure you’ll suspect what I’ll be eventually leading up to. “World of Magic 1975” originally aired on December 26, 1975. Originally, Orson Welles was meant to greet the viewers standing side by side with Houdini’s Water Torture Cell. However, for various reasons Welles pulled a vanishing…
World of Magic ’75: Things That Go Bump in the Night
Original Air Date: 12/26/1975
Magic Week: World of Magic 1980
The fine online folks at the Magic Week Archive have chosen to feature Doug’s “World of Magic 1980” for its weekly feature. Presented on NBC in 1980, this special was taped at the Osmond Entertainment Center in Utah. Along for the ride are, of course, Marie Osmond, Shields & Yarnell, and Ricky Schroeder. As noted,…
World of Magic ’77: Walking Through a Brick Wall in Full
Hey Everyone! Happy Tuesday. Do you ever get that feeling we all get when you’ve hit your wall so early in the week waiting for Friday? Well, if that’s the case, why don’t you take a breather with this famous clip of Doug literally walking through a brick wall? This breathtaking event occurred as the…
World of Magic’79: Shadow Illusions in Full
Original Air Date: 2/15/1980
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 