Doug’s later years are the stuff of legend, even today. Having been told by the Maharishi to return to LA to fundraise for the theme park, Veda Land, Doug found himself in a curious situation. At fundraisers, prospective donors responded most when he would do close up magic. So, what began as a fundraising means…
Tag: Veda Land
Man Alive: “Spellbound: The Magician and the Maharishi” Documentary
I just found this ultra rare documentary from 1992 today, and I’m going to guess that not many people out there have seen it as well. “Man Alive” focuses on Doug and his interest in Transcendental Mediation. It’s one of the more detailed television pieces I’ve seen with Doug discussing the topic along with Debby. …
Vegetarian Times Veda Land Article-Sept. 1992
While the above article covers familiar territory in Doug’s never ending quest to get Veda Land off the ground. What I liked about it, was the rare and unseen photo of Doug at Niagara Falls hyping the park’s arrival. Doug’s enthusiasm for the project, like everything he did, was infectious. Whether the park was built…
Raleigh “News and Observer”-January 27, 1991
I have nothing really to add to this post, other than this clipping represents another instance in Doug’s never ending quest to get “Veda Land” built. Over the years, Veda Land had many intended locations. The most notable being Canada and Orlando. None of them came to fruition. However, if you visit the TM based…
“Veda Lost?” 1998 Article from the NY Times
New York Times Publication Date: February 22, 1998
“Magic of the Natural Law Party” from the CBC
The goal of “The Doug Henning Project” has always been to showcase all the elements of Doug’s life and career. Case in point is this rarely seen news story from the CBC archives. This news story delves into Transcendental Meditation’s Natural Law Party, and Doug’s involvement in it. While Doug himself is only shown speaking,…
1995 “Skeptical Inquirer” Article
The following article comes from the May/June 1995 issue of the well known magazine “The Skeptical Inquirer.” In it, writer Martin Gardner analyzes Doug’s devotion to Transcendental Mediation, its purported benefits, and “Veda Land.” I had weighed whether to publish this or not as the article is primarily one-sided. But, in the end I like…
Doug and Debby Veda Land Promotional Photo
The above photo comes from an article primarily focusing on the Maharishi and his practices. However, for today’s post I decided to focus on the most interesting part…Doug and Debby unique publicity photo. Aside from the model of “Veda Land” itself, the photo has an interesting mirror effect as its backdrop. However, if you look…
Veda Land Article feat. Full Scale Model of Park
Now I know we’ve all seen a lot about Doug’s failed theme park “Veda Land.” Every article about it seems to frame it as imminent and a mind blowing experience like none other. But, what I like in particular about this magazine piece is that it features quite a large model of the park itself…
1998 “Globe” Tabloid Interview
The above article is from “Globe Magazine” and, if you do the math within the interview, it hails from around 1998. In it, Doug discusses what he has been up to in the ten years since he retired from the public spotlight. If you can get past the tabloid and slightly patronizing feel of the…
Gary Brown Remembers Doug…
Some weeks ago, magic historian and writer Gary Brown reached out to me with his experiences of writing a 1997 Henning retrospective for “Genii.” It’s a fascinating tale of missed connections, and planting the seed in Doug’s mind that maybe just maybe he was appreciated. First, I’m part of what I like to consider the…
Los Angeles Times Interview-1988
The following interview appeared in the May 7th, 1988 edition of the Los Angeles Times. Magician Reappears TODD KARR Magic man Doug Henning disappeared a year ago. Not unusual, but the long-haired Henning, who turned 41 on Tuesday, pulled his vanishing act from a lucrative magical career and wound up in a full-time position in…
Veda Land Files: Written Breakdown of Park
In this final installment, the files go into much more written detail on how the park was envisioned and what it would have contained for visitors. Doug’s thoughts are sprinkled throughout, and the descriptions themselves paint a good picture as to what they were thinking of in terms of spectacle. Do I think Doug would…
Veda Land Files: Correspondence with Doug and Designers
Building a theme park isn’t all fun and games. No further proof of that is the correspondence featured below. In these letters, a budget has been delivered to Doug from the chairman of RS, Eduard Feuer, to commence work on “Veda Land.” However, if you read between the lines, the quoted prices may have been…
Veda Land Files: Rides, Rides, Rides!
Well here are again. Sorry for the day’s delay in posts, but as you can see the wait was certainly worth it. If there was any doubt that the scope of Veda Land was expansive than look no further than below. Featured today are the ride schematics/concepts behind what would have entertained guests if the…
Veda Land Files: Part One
Recently I was very fortunate to gain access to files that I never even thought existed in such detail: Veda Land. Now all of us know that the last part of Doug’s life was spent trying to find various locations and fundraising for this theme park that never was. However, as you will see over…
THE DOUG HENNING PROJECT 