How did Spellbound end up on Broadway? Ivan Reitman, Spellbound’s producer/director, put an ad in Variety which was published Dec. 19/73. This was the pre-production week. Joe Berhu and Edgar Lansbury saw the ad and came to take a look. By the end of the week Broadway was in the air. We set up shop…
Tag: NBC
Vanishing Elephant Illusion
While I had hoped to find a clip of the original “Vanishing Elephant” illusion from Doug’s second special, everything on You Tube is an inferior and grainy copy. Fortunately for us, Doug recreated the illusion for the 1981 filmed version of “The Magic Show” which is the origin of this higher quality clip. The elephant…
“World of Magic V” NBC Promo
There’s something to be said about this NBC TV promo for 1980’s “World of Magic V.” What it is I don’t know, other than that they don’t make commercials like they used to. That’s for sure. On that note, does anyone have a copy of the long lost gem “Valentine Magic on Love Island?
First Special “Torn Newspaper” Routine
Yesterday’s clip was a lot of fun wasn’t it? Continuing on in that vein why don’t we take a look at Doug’s presentation of Gene Anderson’s famed “Torn Newspaper” illusion. Doug’s enthusiasm combined with his expert handling of this illusion make for one of the most simple looking, but most memorable parts of the first…
Houdini Torture Cell Escape in Full
Clips from 1975’s “World of Magic 1” are a rarity on the internet. For some reason, every other one of Doug’s specials are available to find if you know where to look. But, “World of Magic 1” remains elusive at best…at least online (if you catch my meaning.) It’s a shame really because in my…
The Return of Fridays with Doug!
This vintage “World of Magic II” newspaper advertisement comes courtesy of John Cox’s collection. It’s a great piece and it really shows off the spectacle of the special and the era very well. My personal favorite element is that Doug appears ten times larger than the elephant itself and his right hand, well, graphic design…
Ricky Jay on “World of Magic II”
Doug’s friendship with esteemed magician Ricky Jay came to the forefront when Jay appeared on “World of Magic II” in 1976. The segment highlights Jay’s great skill at close up-magic and, of course, card throwing. In the years since, Jay’s reputation has only grown and grown, especially with his play “Ricky Jay and his 52…
Letterman’s Top Ten List
To my knowledge Doug never appeared as a guest on NBC’s famed “Late Night with David Letterman.” However, that didn’t stop Letterman from including Doug in his nightly “Top Ten” list. So, sit back, relax, and wait with bated breath for magic number 5! Special Thanks to Steven Max Droge
Saturday Night Henning!
What better way to spend a Wednesday than with a vintage “Saturday Night Live” clip featuring Doug Henning? Well, maybe not the Doug we all know and love, but he’s called Doug Henning nonetheless. Over the course SNL, two people were notable for their Doug impressions in the 1980s: Martin Short and comedian Rich…
Disc Sawing Illusion
Happy New Year everyone and welcome back. Where was I? When last we spoke I was sick and in the midst of the holiday season. Well, since both of those are things of the past let’s get back to business with this vintage clip from 1982’s “World of Magic VII.” This special is notable for…
Gazebo Illusion
The following is the grand finale to “World of Magic VI.” The special originally starred such variety show luminaries as Marie Osmond, Ricky Schroder, and Shields and Yarnell. What’s a Shields and Yarnell you may ask? That’s another story. You can’t argue that Doug didn’t go all out with this one! In fact, it’s its…
Crystal Box Illusion with Ann Reinking
For all those looking for a little pep to their Wednesday afternoon check out this clip from Doug’s 1983 NBC special “Magic on Broadway.” This special, made during preparations for “Merlin,” is a lot of fun and worth checking out if you can locate a copy. In fact, you might even want to check out…
“World of Magic 4” Props For Sale
Welcome back everyone! Are we all rested from the long holiday? I know I am. Now down to business. Collector Steve Sprague recently contacted me in hopes of selling a prop from the “World of Magic 4” special starring Brooke Shields and Tom Bosley. So, rather than hearing from me about it, I’ll let…
Julie Newmar “World of Magic” Costume For Sale
Hello All and Happy Monday! I have a bit of a treat today as I’ve agreed to help magician Paul Driscoll sell the actual costume that Julie Newmar wore in Doug’s first “World of Magic” 1975 special. If you are interested in purchasing this one-of-a-kind item please contact Paul directly as he owns it. I’m…
Nancy Henning Interview: Part Three
Can you talk a bit about the $5000 Doug was awarded by the Canadian Arts Council to study magic? Did he discuss that with you at the time? You know, I don’t really remember hearing anything about that until he got it. He was quite proud of it, because at the time, there had never…
Close-Up Magic with Doug!
While Doug always excelled at grand illusions it was the moments on his specials that focused on close-up magic that have always fascinated me. For the most part, these would always take place with children in the audience, and thirty-five years on they still speak volumes to his skill and ease with this very unique…
Things that Go Bump in the Night!
“Things that Go Bump in the Night” became, over the years, one of Doug’s big crowd pleasers. Previously performed by magician Servais LeRoy as “The Three Graces,” Doug performed this over multiple TV specials and even in the film version of “The Magic Show.” This is a perfect example of Doug taking an older illusion…
From the Collection of Michael Grandinetti
Well, the last few weeks have certainly been fun haven’t they? It’s still amazing to me how much of Doug’s life is left to be explored, and on the rare occasions I’m not quite what to put up something magically (pardon the pun) finds its way to me email.No better example of this are these…
Trunk Illusion Disclaimer
Dear Readers, Recently, some visitors to the site have expressed concerns about this week of Trunk Illusion posts, and whether I am exposing magic secrets. I just want to be clear to everyone that this was made with the full approval of John Gaughan who built the illusion in 1978 and currently owns it. He was very much…
A Concluding Chat with John Gaughan
As the day concluded, John and I went into his collection room which houses a vast and impressive array of magic artefacts stretching back over two hundred years. As you read this short interview, it’s important to note that Doug worked with the true best of the best in magic. It certainly was a team…
John Gaughan: More Trunk Illusion Videos
Hasn’t this been great? If you’ve been enjoying it so far, be sure not to miss tomorrow’s concluding sit down interview with John. See you then. Once again thank you for Jeffrey Chang for all his help!
John Gaughan: Trunk Illusion Insights
There’s really not too much that I can add to these proceedings, so I think its best if I just let John continue to do the talking. Collapsed Trunk under Tabletop
Brooke Shields Trunk Illusion
On December 14, 1978 Doug Henning presented his fourth special “World of Magic” live on NBC. While this special is memorable for many reasons, one of the highlights was the reveal of his co-host for the evening Brooke Shields. For those who need a refresher please check out the first two minutes of the special…
NBC’s Night of 100 Stars
Enjoy this clip of Doug assisted by a young Ricky Schroder and a not quite so young Maureen Stapleton. For those who don’t know, “The Night of 100 Stars” was an NBC event with, you guessed it, 100 stars of film and television. Doug, star # 69, performs his classic illusion sawing two women in…
1978 NBC Promo
What better way to start your Monday than with a Doug Henning 1978 NBC Promo?
First Special Altered Poster
While I still recuperate I wanted to slowly get back into the swing of things with this first special newspaper ad from the Chicago Tribune. What’s unique about this particular piece is that the list of guest stars is updated to reflect who would actually be on the show. There are other color versions of…
Rare First NBC Special Publicity Photo!
Continuing from yesterday’s First Special publicity item, I thought this rarely seen picture of Doug and Julie Newmar might help to bring us all back to a strange and mystical place called the 1970s! Enjoy.
The First NBC Special: Houdini’s Water Torture Cell Conclusion
As we reach the end of this legendary moment in magic history, the seconds are counting down and down. Doug, sealed in, begins the almost impossible job of escaping from a seemingly watery grave. Would he make it out alive? Or would 50 million people watch a man drown on live television? All your questions are…
The First NBC Special: Houdini’s Water Torture Cell
What you are about to see are the introduction and preparations for Doug’s Grand Finale of Houdini’s “Water Torture Cell!” After another brief introduction by Gene Kelly and a Houdini history montage, Doug is introduced to a nervous crowd. The suspense is truly over whelming, and there is definitely a “will he or won’t he” feeling throughout the…
The First NBC Special: The Best Bits!
It’s safe to say that everyone that is reading these entries remembers the first special in their own way. The program itself is so crammed with illusions and expert performances that it’s been difficult to decide what to include and what to sadly leave out. After Julie Newmar, the audience is treated to the umbrella and fire…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 