The Magic Show with Doug Henning

Starring:Doug Henning, Didi Conn, Jon Finlayson, Jack Creley, Sandee Currie, Taborah Johnson, Anita Morris, Paul Soles, Paul Dorsey, Paul Gordon (XI), Barnie Wood, Aaron Ferguson, Eric Richard (III), Les Rubie, Hadley Kay
Director: Norman Campbell
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The late Doug Henning was a cheerful pop-culture icon of the 1970s. His chipmunk grin and dangling hair become as ubiquitous as the Farrah Fawcett bathing-suit poster. The Canadian magician's fame was sealed with The Magic Show, a Broadway musical that ran for more than four years. This 1981 filmed version of a live Toronto stage production is not exactly the original show. Some of Henning's magic routines were different, and songwriter Stephen Schwartz replaced a couple of songs with new numbers (which Schwartz has claimed he prefers to the originals, though die-hard fans of the original Broadway cast recording may demur). Schwartz, whose work has included excursions into both New and Old Testaments (Godspell and the animated film The Prince of Egypt, respectively), is in a bouncy Godspell mode here, with the clever songs boosting the tired dialogue. The show is essentially an old-fashioned, mild send-up comedy/melodrama serving as an excuse for Henning's magic acts. The supporting players handle most of the heavy lifting of song and dance, including red-headed vixen (and future star) Anita Morris, who gets sawed in half and turned into a lion. Henning lends his likable personality and saves his energy for the big-time tricks. As is almost always true of magic, the filmed version lacks the you-are-there charge of a live show, but at least this production captures Henning's style and spirit: his high-pitched "Whoo!" and hippy-dippy rainbow outfits are ingratiating in a smiley-face way. --Robert Horton
Description
This 1981 filmed version of the highly successful Broadway play The Magic Show brings magical illusions as well as engaging music to the story of a talented young magician Doug (Doug Henning) using his magic for "good" over the villainous "evil" magic performed by the dastardly Van Zyskind. The music and magic presented here highlight a dazzling display of wizardry by Doug Henning, who triumphs in the end to the delight of all. This is the only version of one of Broadway's most beloved and longest-running musicals and captures the legendary talents of Doug Henning, Anita Morris, and Didi Conn at their best. 105 minutes.

Average customer rating:

An Absolute Pleasure!

The Magic Show with Doug Henning

The BEST MAGIC SHOW EVER!

Tears of Joy

One of the best movies I have ever seen!

The Magic Show with Doug Henning
Starring: Doug Henning , Didi Conn , Jon Finlayson , Jack Creley , and Sandee Currie
Director: Norman Campbell
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005KH3G
Release Date: 2001-07-24

Amazon.com

The late Doug Henning was a cheerful pop-culture icon of the 1970s. His chipmunk grin and dangling hair become as ubiquitous as the Farrah Fawcett bathing-suit poster. The Canadian magician's fame was sealed with The Magic Show, a Broadway musical that ran for more than four years. This 1981 filmed version of a live Toronto stage production is not exactly the original show. Some of Henning's magic routines were different, and songwriter Stephen Schwartz replaced a couple of songs with new numbers (which Schwartz has claimed he prefers to the originals, though die-hard fans of the original Broadway cast recording may demur). Schwartz, whose work has included excursions into both New and Old Testaments (Godspell and the animated film The Prince of Egypt, respectively), is in a bouncy Godspell mode here, with the clever songs boosting the tired dialogue. The show is essentially an old-fashioned, mild send-up comedy/melodrama serving as an excuse for Henning's magic acts. The supporting players handle most of the heavy lifting of song and dance, including red-headed vixen (and future star) Anita Morris, who gets sawed in half and turned into a lion. Henning lends his likable personality and saves his energy for the big-time tricks. As is almost always true of magic, the filmed version lacks the you-are-there charge of a live show, but at least this production captures Henning's style and spirit: his high-pitched "Whoo!" and hippy-dippy rainbow outfits are ingratiating in a smiley-face way. --Robert Horton

Description

This 1981 filmed version of the highly successful Broadway play The Magic Show brings magical illusions as well as engaging music to the story of a talented young magician Doug (Doug Henning) using his magic for "good" over the villainous "evil" magic performed by the dastardly Van Zyskind. The music and magic presented here highlight a dazzling display of wizardry by Doug Henning, who triumphs in the end to the delight of all. This is the only version of one of Broadway's most beloved and longest-running musicals and captures the legendary talents of Doug Henning, Anita Morris, and Didi Conn at their best. 105 minutes.

Customer Reviews:

An Absolute Pleasure!.......2007-06-26

It was overwhelming to see the magnificent (and adorable) Doug Henning again. I saw The Magic Show several times on Broadway, and although this is not identical to the New York production, it was quite a trip back in time to another era. I must confess that seeing Doug Henning perform brought a tear to my eyes. What amazing things might he be doing today if he was still with us?

Doug Henning is a legend, never to be forgotten.

The Magic Show with Doug Henning.......2007-05-06

A true flash back to the sixites. Doug was truly an amazing Magician and his place in Magical History has been secured. If you enjoy Music, Magic and Broadway Shows then what are you waiting for? This DVD is really a Classic and should be on your shelf!

The BEST MAGIC SHOW EVER!.......2007-02-13

Yo have to love this. Doug, God rest is soul, is the one of the reasons so many magicians are magicians today. He brought Magic to brodway and this dvd shows that show. Classic Henning@

Tears of Joy.......2006-09-18

Well, if I had listened to the negative reviews I would have missed a wonderful ride of personal emotions of great joy to deep sadness. I didn't see the Broadway show, but I did see a touring show in the late 1970's, when I was 17. And of course I watched all of the prime time specials. Why are they not out on DVD by now? For some reason, despite or because of, I'm not sure, the chipmunk looks and tacky 1970's costumes (what were we thinking), I was enthralled by the illusions and Doug's contagious enthusiasm for the Wonder of the universe. I actually followed him into his transcendental meditation phase, but that is another story. I guess TM is no match for liver cancer.

When I first saw Doug on the DVD I found myself with a smile as big as Doug's and tears of joy in my eyes. It was like seeing a lost friend. A feeling of great joy came across me. At the very end of the DVD the performers are shown behind the curtain giving hugs and kisses, then the picture freezes on Doug with that great smile, tears came to my eyes as I held back an emotional upwelling that would have left me sobbing uncontrollably (I'm a guy so we should not do such things), as I know that Doug had died and we are left with a great loss. Well, that is just me, and a few million of his fans.

The first time I saw, actually heard, the DVD, was in my car on a long trip by myself. My minivan has a DVD player but only the back seat passengers can see the screen. So I only received the audio and I had enjoyed it so much that I replayed it three times, then spent some time skipping to the best songs over and over. I liked it even better the third time around. The story and dialog are way too simplistic, but I really enjoyed the songs, though I had missed West End Avenue, my favorite song on the Cast Recording, which I have on vinyl and I haven't listened to for about 15 years (time to get the CD). But I really like the new songs, and sorry, I never really liked Solid Silver Platform Shoes anyway.

The DVD show has a sort of prequel, showing the cast out of character doing a song and dance and Doug doing some illusions, fading into the main show which takes place in a night club. The prequel choreography made me laugh hysterically; very corny, reminiscent of those horrible TV episodes of The Brady Bunch when they would sing and dance, very embarrassing if not for them, then for me. Was this choreography on purpose for it's comedic value or were they seriously thinking this was how to dance? I think they were serious, making me cringe even more. Better to close your eyes as the music is very listenable.

The main show is entertaining even if it does have a very weak storyline and the dialog is very simplistic. But, of course, the star of the show is Doug and the illusions are great. DVD's allow for slow motion and replays and, though, recently I could use TiVo to discover how some illusions were done on America's Got Talent, I could not do the same for Doug's. Doug's torn newspaper trick is genius. And where did he hide that lion, and visa versa, Anita, in the cage, and it wasn't such a friendly lion at that.

I think any fan of Doug's will enjoy seeing this production. The negative reviews were not about Doug. Watch it for the illusions, and for the memories of Doug, and keep a sense of humor about the production. If you like the music, then that is a bonus. This is not a mega-production of the 1980's (a la Phantom), but it was nominated for best musical direction, so it must have set some standard for production at the time.

One of the best movies I have ever seen!.......2005-08-04

Much better than what is on Broadway today! Doug Henning was great, it is a fun movie from the second it comes on to the second it goes off. What a great movie! I highly recommend this DVD or Video to everyone, young and old, because it is truly...well, magical!
Unfortunately, there is no Jeffrey Mylett version on DVD, and as much as I would like to see that, I doubt it will ever be released. But I am glad I have this DVD, because it is truly great!

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