As what happens with all great television productions there is that fabled and wondrous event called: The After Party! From the looks of it, “World of Magic’s” was no exception, and even had balloons! Enjoy these candid photos as we wrap up 1975, and head on over to 1978 next week! Special Thanks to Dave…
Tag: NBC
More Unpublished “World of Magic 1” Photos: Doug, Shimada, and the Torture Cell Drop
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. Water Torture Cell Special Thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin
Unpublished “Fickle Nickel” and Audience Photos from “World of Magic 1”
Through the kindness of Bill Goodwin, head librarian at “The Magic Castle,” I will be showcasing over the next few weeks more never before seen photos from Doug’s first four specials (1975-1978.) Taken by Dave Collier, these photographs showcase different angles and perspectives that the viewers at home never saw that night. Now for the serious…
Martin Short Tonight Show Appearance-May 14, 1992
In my never ending quest to find more footage of Martin Short performing his spot on impersonation of Doug, I came across this “Tonight Show” appearance from May 14, 1992. As Carson’s reign on the “Tonight Show” ended that month and year, this was more than likely Short’s final appearance on the show. What better way…
“World of Magic 1” Non-Doug Based Advertisement
Well, as promised I’m back and ready and relaxed from my travels. I’m sorry there have been some stop gaps over the last month, but some unexpected trips came up! Anyway, I have some great things in the pipeline, and I can’t wait to share them with you moving forward. I thought I’d ease into…
World of Magic V- Coins and Cards Illusion
I’ve gone into it before in previous posts, but I really love Doug’s close-up magic. It’s nuanced, it’s intimate, and above all, funny. A good example of this is the Coins and Cards illusion from “World of Magic V.” Doug plays a lot with audience expectations and anticipation here, but it’s that last word play…
TV Guide Close Up- World of Magic VI
Special Thanks to Pesci Sutta
World of Magic V- Flexible Glass Illusion
For an illusion that seems so simple, its impact on the audience is not. Doug handles this close up illusion wisely by sitting with the audience and utilizing the intimacy of the television camera. How he did it isn’t as important as the effect it had on the viewers at home. Immediately afterwards, Doug performed…
First Special “TV Listings” Cover and Interview
Today’s post comes from the collection of magician Greg Gleason, and features more fabulous TV listings and interviews that were commonplace over Doug’s long career. The interview and article itself is a general rundown of the making of the first special, and give a nice window into Doug’s pressure filled life at this time. Can…
“World of Magic III” Sword Levitation Newspaper Clipping
In preparation for “World of Magic III,” Doug and special TV guest Sandy Duncan whipped up a little Sword Levitation publicity for the press. This undated AP photo (taken in front of someone’s house apparently), made sure that readers, as well as the press, got the point…so to speak. Special Thanks to Michael Whitecar
Dean Gunnarson, Doug, and the Water Torture Cell
Escape Artist Dean Gunnarson was kind enough to share with me some rare items from his Doug collection, highlighting of course Doug’s original “Water Torture Cell” from “World of Magic I.” Dean had bought the original cell from Brett Daniels in 1990. To confirm its provenance, Dean even had the opportunity to show the cell…
Alternative Christmas Wreath Publicity Photos
Is this thing on? After a two week absence,” The Doug Henning Project” is back and ready for action! I apologize for the delay, but with work and further filming of my Doug documentary things became a little hectic to say the least. Anyway, what better way to start than with a little Christmas in…
Doug and Barbara Walters-Full Photo
The above photo comes from a July 16, 1974 appearance of Doug on a Barbara Walters NBC program titled “Not for Women Only.” While actual footage from this program isn’t readily available, this photo certainly gives you a taste of Doug utilizing Walters in the sawing illusion. as featured in “The Magic Show.” While I…
Dave Collier 1978 Photos: After Party with Dai Vernon
Well, all good things must come to an end folks. As much as I’d love to keep posting these fantastic and memorable photos, I’ve run out of my supply. Not to worry though because next week I’ll be posting an exclusive interview with photographer Dave Collier to give you more backstory on his life and…
Dave Collier 1978 Photos: Medieval and Ancient Egypt Illusions
In this special, Doug, Brooke Shields, and Tom Bosley seem to literally time travel to different points in history to perform illusions. Why? Well, these are the kinds of things that happen in 1970s prime time variety specials. Anyway, the concept leant itself to some really beautiful set pieces and costumes that are still memorable…
Dave Collier 1978 Photos: “World of Magic IV”
For this final round of photos from the expert lens of Dave Collier comes “World of Magic IV.” This special is notable for many reasons, not least of which is the eclectic team up of Brooke Shields and Tom Bosley as Doug’s co-hosts. This was the last special that Doug did live. So, in many…
Tonight Show 1981 Appearance in Full with Interview
The glass illusion part of this clip is widely available from the Johnny Carson You Tube channel. However, what makes today’s post extra special is that this is the full segment with the Johnny interview that followed. Doug was there to promote “World of Magic IV,” and regales the audience with tales of famed 19th…
Dave Collier 1977 Photos: Sword, Cabinet, and Wall Illusions
My favorite part of these photos are the different angles and perspectives we get on well known Doug illusions and classic moments. It’s truly a birds eye view like none other! Special Thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin
Dave Collier Photos: World of Magic 1977
So, after a brief detour last week into You Tube land, we’ve now safely arrived in 1977 (the year of my birth by the way)! This is World of Magic III!” It’s the special that has such eclectic items as a very excited Glenn Campbell, child versions of Doug and Sandy Duncan, balancing on blades,…
Dave Collier 1976 Photos: After Party, Barbara DeAngelis, and Doug’s Mom
As before, what better way to cap off another great special than with a wrap party? These final three photos from this series are great because not only do you get to see Doug cutting loose with a can of 7-Up, but you also get to see his first wife Barbara DeAngelis and mother Shirley. …
Dave Collier 1976 Photos: Fire Hoop, Water Levitation, and Ricky Jay
The 1976 special seemed to have everything in it. Even more lighter in tone than its predecessor, the special definitely had something for everyone to enjoy. These pictures are unique in the sense that some are culled from the dress rehearsal that would occur right before the live broadcast. The rehearsals would be a straight…
Dave Collier’s 1976 Photos: Doug, an Elephant, and Michael Landon
As we continue our journey through Dave Collier’s lens, we arrive in 1976 for Doug’s second “World of Magic” special. As ratings for the first special went through the roof, NBC clearly wanted more of Doug. So, just how would he top himself? A vanishing and re-appearing elephant of course! Oh, and how about Michael…
Dave Collier Photos: “World of Magic 1” After Party
In today’s installment, it’s time to party like it’s 1975! With a viewing audience of fifty million people, Doug and friends celebrated the achievement with a well attended after party. A drink in hand, Doug rightly is the focus of everyone’s attention after having pulled off the seemingly impossible. Ahhh, to be a fly on that…
Dave Collier “World of Magic 1” Photos: Doug, Gene Kelly, and the Cast
Doug’s grand escape from Houdini’s “Water Torture Cell” still is ranked as one of the greatest television magic finales of all time. It even left Gene Kelly speechless enough to lose track of his cue cards. As you can see from these photos, the excitement of the evening even went right through to the curtain call…
Dave Collier “World of Magic 1” Photos: Julie Newmar and the Water Torture Cell
Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone! As we continue our journey through “World of Magic 1,” it’s interesting to note how the electricity of the night seems to permeate through each of these pictures. Whether it was part of the special or quick candid moments, Dave’s lens really captured the joy of the evening! Just ask Julie…
The History of Martin Short’s Doug Henning
Who doesn’t love Martin Short’s impersonation of Doug? Aside from being dead on accurate, it’s still remembered to this day as one of the best he’s ever done. Maybe that’s because Short actually knew his subject all too well. You see, Martin Short attended college with Ivan Reitman and Doug at McMaster University up in Canada….
“World of Magic 1” 1975 Newspaper Ad
Well, here’s something you don’t see every day. This newspaper ad comes from the “Chicago Tribune,” and is dated December 26, 1975. As is evident, the anticipation for the special was obviously huge, and it’s interesting to see it reproduced here in black and white. One of my favorite parts of it is the reminder “This…
“Magic on Broadway” Disembodied Head Illusion
Featured above is one of the more amusing moments from Doug’s “Magic on Broadway” special. The banter between Doug and Debby is heavily scripted, but pops with their usual chemistry! Needless to say, I’m skeptical that that was Doug’s real head featured throughout the whole illusion. But, who am I to say? Enjoy!
“World of Magic I” Press Releases
The following press releases are in anticipation of the first “World of Magic” special broadcast originally on December 26th, 1975. Each one is interesting in that while he had already appeared on Broadway, Doug was not yet the proven television commodity he would become. Oh, how one night would change all of that? Special…
Doug on “The Tonight Show”…Again
The reaction to last week’s Tonight Show clip was so positive that, well, let’s do it again shall we? In this clip, Doug again shows off a myriad of illusions all before the coveted interview with Johnny. Eagle-eyed viewers will notice Steve Martin on the couch as well. The world of 1970s talk shows truly was…
