It’s been a couple years since I’ve had the fun of profiling Doug’s 1984 car campaign for the Plymouth “Magic Wagon.” The campaign itself was a fun way to promote a car and, of course, Doug himself. The best part of it was Doug didn’t have to be on stage in front of hundreds of…
Tag: The Doug Henning Project
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…
Doug Henning Official Envelopes
Inquiring minds want to know what Doug Henning’s stationary looked like! Well, then look no further than these fine examples from 1980 and 1986. Each year represents a pretty distinct time in Doug’s career, and the artwork on each represents that. The unicorn, in particular, was utilized frequently in Doug’s primary stationary of the time. …
“Post Tribune: TV Backtalk”-December 15, 1975
Special Thanks to Jim Klodzen
World of Magic ’82: Hoop Illusion in Full
Original Air Date: February 14, 1982
“Chou Chou” Signed Window Card
The above item is a signed window card from when, for a time, Doug was known as Chou Chou, the “Magical Little Shoe Maker.” Doug’s purpose in this 15 minute consumer presentation was to perform his various illusions at malls throughout Canada. All the while, a speaker would extol the virtues and benefits of Canadian…
“A Death-Defying Escape” in Hollywood
Thanks to John Cox of Wild About Harry for alerting me to a new magic and comedy play currently running at the Hudson Guild Theatre in Hollywood starring Judy Carter. “A Death-Defying Escape” is a show that deals with Carter’s life and career in magic among other things. Why am I mentioning this? Well, according…
Doug Henning: Heartthrob?
You can throw this into the bin of one of the more unique articles I’ve seen in my time researching Doug. You don’t often see female admirers proclaiming their love, and clamoring to know more about Doug. But, yes Gaye Bleich of Mill Valley, CA was definitely one of them. I’m not even sure what…
“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.
“Fallen Wand” Chicago Sun-Times Obit: February 9, 2000
I usually don’t focus on Doug’s passing very much, as it’s not the purpose of the website really. However, in going through things people have sent me this obituary recently popped up. It’s nothing really groundbreaking, or information we don’t know. But, I guess what strikes me about it is even in a time of…
Doug Henning Magic You Can Do Kit: Detailed Photos
Today’s post is a continuation of ones that I’ve done over the past several years. Other than the Wonder Whims, one of Doug’ s only forays into the toy world was his 1980s partnership with Tenyo on the “Doug Henning Magic You Can Do” kit. It’s become an extremely rare magic kit, and only a…
“Telescope 1972”-Zig Zag Girl Illusion in Full
Originally Broadcast: November 23, 1972 Special Thanks to Stuart MacLeod at: stuartmac.com
Caesars Palace Button on eBay
The above promotional item is currently for sale on eBay, and could be yours right now for the pretty price of $48.00. Clearly from Doug’s time spent time performing at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, this item isn’t seen very often compared to other buttons he produced. I’ve never seen one for starters. So, if…
Doug Henning Toronto Street Pole Art
Every now and then a nice piece of Doug Henning related street art pops up online. This particular example showed up on King Street East in, appropriately enough, Doug’s old stomping ground of Toronto. I love how someone out there took the time to make an old image of Doug somehow hip, current, and vintage…
The Doug Henning Magic Fan Club Newsletter-Spring 1982
Today’s post is something never seen before on “The Doug Henning Project.” It’s Doug’s Official Fan Club newsletter. Appearing, once or twice a year, the newsletter kept rapt members updated on the comings and goings of Doug’s career. This one in particular details his appearance on “Night of 100 Stars,” and also something called “Merlin.”…
“World of Magic ’75” Publicity Photo and Material
Special Thanks to Jim Klodzen
“Telescope 1972”- Rings Illusion in Full
Just a quick note, that Doug’s voice oddly speeds up at the end of this segment. This was on the copy that I have, and may have been on the original broadcast. Originally Broadcast: November 23, 1972 Special Thanks to Stuart MacLeod at: stuartmac.com
10 Questions with Carisa Hendrix
Today ‘s special guest is renowned magician Carisa Hendrix. Along with her alter ego, Lucy Darling, Hendrix has taken the magic world by storm over the last ten years. Awarded the 2019 Stage Magician of the Year by the AMA, Hendrix continues to breathe new life into magic through innovation and comedy. If that weren’t…
Original “Magic Show” Souvenir Book: Final Part
Special Thanks to Brigitte Marlt Splash Page: Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. “The Magic Show, 1974 May” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1974.
Original “Magic Show” Souvenir Book: Part Two
To Be Concluded Tomorrow… Special Thanks to Brigitte Marlt Splash Page: Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. “The Magic Show, 1974 May” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1974.
Original “Magic Show” Souvenir Book: Part One
A full scan of the “Magic Show’s” souvenir book recently came my way, and what a time capsule it is! From director Grover Dale’s introduction, to Kenn Duncan’s photos, to even the coloring book in the back, it all makes you feel like you were there seeing the show for the very first time. But,…
“TV Time” Cover: December 20-26th, 1975
“The Vidette-Messenger”-Porter County, Indiana Special Thanks to Jim Klodzen
New “Toronto Star” Doug Article: Up to His Old Tricks
Just a heads up for all our readers outside of Canada. This past Sunday the “Toronto Star” did a full page spread article on Doug. Titled “Up to his Old Tricks,” the article profiles Doug’s full life and career. The piece is definitely the most extensive non-magic based publication article on Doug in the last…
Maggot Brain Magazine #7-New Doug Article
The new issue of the music magazine “Maggot Brain” is out, and its 7th issue has an article about, you guessed it, Doug Henning. The article “Within You Without You” is a fascinating read by writer Robert Dayton, and tells the tale of Doug’s early years figuring out his path in magic with some of…
Jim Steinmeyer Reflects on Ivan Reitman and “Merlin”
Esteemed Author/Illusion Designer Jim Steinmeyer graciously agreed to share his thoughts on working on “Merlin” with Ivan Reitman and Doug in today’s post. “Merlin” turned out to be the last collaboration between Doug and Ivan. While the production’s troubles are well known, Jim reminds us of how Reitman brought joy to the rehearsal process, and…
Brian Lumley Reflects on Ivan Reitman
To reflect on the sudden death of Ivan Reitman, I asked two key people in Doug’s design team that worked with Ivan Reitman to say a few words. Today is Brian Lumley who was with Doug at the start of his career for “Spellbound,” “The Magic Show,” and the early TV specials. Brian is currently…
Ivan Reitman (1946-2022)
Today’s post was supposed to be the 39th anniversary of “Merlin” which occurred yesterday. While I’d still like to make note of that, late last night came word that film director Ivan Reitman passed away in his sleep Saturday at age 75. Which, as you can imagine, is much more important. You can’t talk about…
“Telescope 1972”-Invisible Card Illusion in Full
I love everything about this clip because it’s really representative of Doug’s early performing in the counter culture coffee houses in the Yorkville area of Toronto. While we don’t have many photos of that bygone 70s era, this film footage is probably the closest we have to what that experience was like. Enjoy! Originally Broadcast:…
“World of Magic ’75:” NBC Rebroadcast Newspaper Ad
Special Thanks to Jim Klodzen
“Nash the Slash” DOCU Needs Your Help with Doug Photos
Producer Colin Brunton reached out to me recently with a request for help. Brunton and his team are working on a documentary on the late Canadian musician Jeff Plewman. Plewman, better known as Nash the Slash, was a multi-instrumentalist pioneer in progressive rock music. The film “Nash the Slash Rises Again” will be the first…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 