For all those looking for Doug items in a future Potter & Potter auction then look no further than this coming September 11th. Both items are nothing new or groundbreaking in terms of Doug collecting. However, what they do represent are two of the most iconic and influential posters in Doug’s career. First up, seen…
Tag: Television
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: 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
“Me-Tv” Top 8 TV Magicians
This online article from 2016 features the top eight TV magicians as decided by Me-TV. Me-TV, in case you didn’t know, is a vintage television network that specializes in broadcasting old television programs from various decades. It’s like what Nick at Nite used to be like way back when. Anyway, while the list is very…
World of Magic 1978: Camel Appearance 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…
Magic on Broadway: Statue of the Pharaohs in Full
Due to a busy schedule after a hectic holiday weekend, I’ll be taking the next week or so off from the site. However, I didn’t want to leave you all empty handed. So, sit back and enjoy the “Statue of the Pharaohs” illusion from Doug’s “Magic on Broadway” special. Even after all these years, it…
Fickle Nickel Juke Box Song Titles
The above pictures come from the collection of Joe Long. I’m sure it doesn’t take much guessing to see that these are “actual” song options used for the Fickle Nickel jukebox. Not featured in my clip from yesterday, the finale of the illusion involved Doug taking the jumbo half prop coin and inserting it into…
“World of Magic” Fickle Nickel in Full
In tandem with last week’s post, I have a few more Fickle Nickel posts for you this week. Not least of which is the full routine which I was eventually able to find. For being one of his most famous performances, it’s not readily available on this thing called the internet. Rather than describing it…
Fickle Nickel Friday: Original Jumbo Half Prop
Today’s item comes from Joe Long’s collection, and is the original jumbo half that Doug produced at the end of “World of Magic” 75’s “Fickle Nickel” illusion. The opening of Doug’s first special could have opened in any number of ways. But, rather than opting for a giant spectacle Doug chose the quiet subtlety of…
Help Needed Locating Doug’s Original Costumes!
In a change of pace from the usual posts, I wanted to ask a favor from, you, the readers. I’m currently involved in a search for the current whereabouts of three of Doug’s more iconic costumes. I’ve included the photos below of what they are, and where they were featured. If you or anyone you…
Walter C. Miller Obituary
It slipped under my radar over this past weekend that Walter C. Miller, Doug’s long time TV director, passed away at the age of 94. Miller’s important contribution to all of Doug’s specials can not be understated. He can also be credited with directing what was television’s first modern magic special with “World of Magic”…
“The Rock N’Fun Magic Show” Advertisement-1975
Get rid of those Monday blues with this vintage 1975 newspaper advertisement for the “Rock N’ Fun Magic Show” on NBC 4 in New York. The show itself was hosted by actor Jeff Mylett, featured sitting next to Doug, who at that time was the understudy for Doug in “The Magic Show.” The special was…
“Motorcycle Illusion” from Magic on Broadway
The motorcycle illusion featured today made its first TV appearance with Doug all the way back in 1977’s “World of Magic III.” Without a doubt, it became one of Doug most memorable and famous illusions. So much so in fact, that he recreated it for his penultimate special “Magic on Broadway” in 1982. Now, in…
“Rubber Girl” Illusion from “Magic on Broadway”
The “Rubber Girl” illusion above was featured on Doug’s 1982 “Magic on Broadway” special. A lot of the special had sort of a greatest hits feel about it, and was a perfect venue for Doug to show off some old favorites sprinkled with new illusions. In retrospect, all this is appropriate as this was the…
Doug Henning on Broadway-Annie Slide Illusion
It’s two Annie actresses for the price of one in this clip from 1982’s “Doug Henning: Magic on Broadway!” Taped during the Merlin era, the special’s slide illusion features the original Annie Andrea McArdle transforming into the then current Annie Allison Smith. Did the Sun really come out tomorrow with this illusion? Well, that’s for…
“Merlin” Jeopardy Question
In a blink and you’ll miss it moment on “Jeopardy, ” Doug appeared as a question in an episode that aired just last week. The category, appropriately titled “Guys Named Doug,” was connected to “Merlin” and went for $600. How it turned out for the contestant, well, I’m not surprised. It is a lost musical…
Plymouth “Magic Wagon” Expanded Commercial
Okay, I promise this is the last time. The above spot is an an unseen and expanded version of the shorter commercials that I’m sure we’re all used to. What is unseen you may ask? Well, there’s a lot more of Doug floating for starters, and a little more exposition espousing the wonders of the…
Original “Plymouth Magic Wagon” Radio Commercial
This original radio commercial was released in 1984 in conjunction with Doug’s “Plymouth Magic Wagon” car campaign. I’ve gone into this campaign several times in the past, and it goes without saying it was a lot of fun! However, I had never heard a radio commercial for it before, so this is a rare treat. It’s…
Happy Belated Birthday David Copperfield!
Due to a very busy day yesterday away from my desk, I wasn’t able to wish a very Happy Birthday to legendary magician David Copperfield! So, in honor of the occasion enjoy this clip of David performing the “Immaculate Connection” illusion from the “Magic of David Copperfield V.”
“CBS Morning News” with Maria Shriver Performance
The above clip was recently posted on the “Illusionist Munawar Muzaffar” You Tube Channel, and is from the collection of Bill Green. It’s a clip I’ve never seen, and maybe one that you haven’t as well. So, sit back with your morning cup of coffee, and watch as Doug astounds Maria Shriver and bleary eyed…
Magic’s Greatest Illusions Documentary-1999 Interview with Doug
I came across this three-part documentary today while deep diving into You Tube. “Magic’s Greatest Illusions,” narrated by Jason Alexander, originally aired on TLC in 2000. A great documentary unto itself, however, what immediately caught my attention was an extremely rare and largely unseen interview with Doug recorded in 1999. His interview, clearly recorded at…
Doug Co-Hosts the 1985 Disney Easter Parade (Complete Version)
A couple years ago I posted an extremely rough and grainy compilation of Doug’s illusions as the Grand Magical Marshal of the 1985 Walt Disney World Easter Parade. At the time, I weighed whether it was even worth showing it due to its low quality. Well, I did end up posting it, and since then…
Chip Romero Collection: Gazebo Bandleader Costume
And I’m back. Sorry for the bit of delay, but, as I mentioned I’ve been dealing with a pinched nerve in my shoulder and arm. All that combined with some minor physical therapy, required me to step away from the website briefly. However, enough about me. All this week we will be featuring items from…
Dollar Bill Illusion with Maury Povich-1985
The above appearance by Doug begins at 4:30 and, while it is quick, is pure Doug nonetheless. However, to give you a fair warning, I suspect that this clip of Doug was highly edited for this particular You Tube Channel. Now, if only all of us could do this with a $1 bill.
Doug’s Muppet Show Shoes
In terms of the Muppets, characters have come and gone over their rich 65 year history. However, if you’re looking for one of the most obscure creatures to ever grace “The Muppet Show” stage, then look no further than Doug’s shoes. These bug eyed creations were featured at the opening of his episode where he gleefully…
Shia LeBouf SNL Sketch
In what has since become a very popular online MEME/GIF, Shia LeBouf appeared in this 2008 “Saturday Night Live” sketch as magician Doug Denston. Yes Doug Denston, not Doug Henning mind you. A parody of 1970s celebrity filled games shows, LeBouf does an admirable job of concocting the look of an extremely magical Doug for…
