Welcome to 2020 everyone! Let’s begin our third year on a high note with this auction from “Potter & Potter” out of Chicago! This current online auction will win you one of the most distinctive and flashy posters that was ever created for “World of Magic II.” In it, artist Seymour Chwast crafted Doug as…
Tag: World of Magic
Kiel Opera House Advertisement
The above advertisement was printed on June 1, 1980 in the “St. Louis Post-Dispatch.” The Kiel Opera House, now known as the Stifel Theatre, was opened in 1934 and enjoyed a healthy and long life until it was closed under financial disagreements in 1991. Reopening in 2011, the theater seems to be back to its…
Statue of the Pharaohs Today
If you ever wondered where a lot of Doug’s illusions have ended up over the years. Well, the short answer is that they’re mainly still around, just not always in one place as they used to be. In the case of Doug’s “Statue of the Pharaohs,” let’s get a bit of a refresher before we…
World of Magic III-Newspaper Article
In honor of this being our 500th post, here’s Doug levitating a motorcycle!
Cooper-Hewitt Archives: World of Magic Poster
While some of you may already be aware of this promotional poster, I’m featuring it because this version comes straight from the Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Archives in New York City. It’s colors and quality are highly preserved, and this is definitely one of the most pristine versions I’ve ever seen. For me, this poster has always…
World of Magic V: Compressed Illusion
The above clip originally aired on February 14th, 1982 and is the final “World of Magic” special. As it goes with any magician, looks can be deceiving, and Doug had one more special up his sleeve called “Doug Henning: Magic on Broadway.” But, that’s another story. Now back to this one. While no one could…
Wild About Harry: Doug and Houdini Article
For those jonesing for a Houdini/Doug fix this Saturday, may I divert your attention to today’s post on John Cox’s excellent website “Wild About Harry.” It delves into the impetus for John’s lifelong love of Houdini which is…well, visit the website to find out if you haven’t guessed already. While you’re there stay a while…
NY Times: World of Magic Broadway Review
Doug Henning only seems to dema terialize – and re-materialize – and levitation is a mechanical rather than a natural wonder. But it is beyond the ken of nonmagicians to understand how he performs his illusionary feats. As we know from his first two Broadway shows and his frequent television appearances, he is a genial…
Doug Henning’s World of Instagram: Julie Newmar Rehearsal Photo (Alternative Angle)
In a post from a couple years ago, I featured publicity images from Doug’s “World of Magic I” rehearsals with Julie Newmar. While at the time I thought I had printed all that was out there, this little gem came up today on Instagram. The picture doesn’t seem as staged as the previous ones, and…
“World of Magic IV” Unseen Photos: Final Part
They say all good things must come to an end, and today’s post is no exception. Yes, dear readers, we’ve come to the end (for now) of Dave Collier’s impressive collection of never before seen photos from the first four “World of Magic” specials. It’s been a real honor and treat for me to be able…
“World of Magic IV” Unseen Photos: Part Two
Special thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin 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.
“World of Magic IV” Unseen Photos: Part One
Special thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin 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.
“World of Magic III” Unseen Photos: Part Four
1977 was a good year for wasn’t it? Besides being the year of my birth, it featured Doug’s walking through a wall illusion. Done in a blink and you’ll miss it fashion, this illusion still has the ability to grab us 42 years later. How did he do it? Well, that my friends is magic. …
“World of Magic III” Unseen Photos: Part Three
Special Thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin 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.
“World of Magic III” Unseen Photos: Part Two
Special thanks to Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin 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.
“World of Magic III” Unseen Pictures: Part One
For all of our U.S. readers Happy Labor Day! For everyone not in the U.S., let’s ease into this Monday with more never before seen photos from 1977’s “World of Magic III.”Hosted by Glenn Campbell, the special would feature Doug’s variation on walking though a brick wall, spectacular close-up magic, Sandy Duncan, and very. very…
1982’s “World of Magic” Newspaper Clipping
Both Doug and guest star Ann Jillian seem in various states of surprise in this promotional clipping from 1982. As you may know the special starred Ann Jillian, a then Bruce Jenner (Caitlyn) Jenner, Billy Crystal, and Cherish Alexander. Throughout the show, they all explored a big magical house, and you’ll just have to wait…
“World of Magic II” Unseen Photos: Part Three
As I wrap up the photos from 1976’s “World of Magic,” it’s interesting to note that it has been brought to my attention that some of these may be from the on-air and live versions. While I wasn’t sure at the time, the first two from the metal ring illusion below seem to prove it. The…
“World of Magic II” Unseen Photos: Part Two
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.
“World of Magic II” Unseen Photos
Courtesy of Dave Collier and Bill Goodwin are some more amazing and never before seen photos from 1976’s “World of Magic II.” I feel each one is unique all unto itself, and very much gives us a taste of the electricity that is live programming. For all of you interested in reading my interview with…
Dave Collier Photos: World of After Parties!
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…
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…
Doug Across America-Tour Clippings
In his career, Doug certainly got around. In between his immensely popular television specials, he kept up an almost constant touring schedule that included here, there, everywhere, and beyond. While we all know his famous stops on Broadway and the Pantages, the clippings shown below are a small sampling of Doug’s relentless travels through America!…
TV Time “World of Magic 1” Bubbles Cover and Article
What do you do when you have 60 million people about to watch you on live television? Play with bubbles of course. As you can tell, this 1975 gem of a cover and article hails all the way from the original “World of Magic” special. The cover is really one of those classic early Doug…
“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…
