7.6 /10 1 Votes
Also known as World of Magic Country of origin United States Original network NBC (U.S.) Created by Doug Henning Genre Entertainment | 7.5/10 IMDb Starring Doug Henning Original language(s) English First episode date 26 December 1975 Producer David Susskind Language English | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Production company(s) Doug Henning Magic Inc. Similar The Paul Daniels Magic Sh, Super Circus, Opportunity Knocks, Eleanor and Franklin, The Bunker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Doug Henning's World of Magic was the first of seven annual prime-time television specials starring magician Doug Henning, which aired live on NBC Friday, December 26, 1975. Bill Cosby was the show's special guest, along with Gene Kelly (who introduced the special) and musical guest Lori Lieberman. The show ran live without commercials under the sponsorship of Mobil.
The first effect showed a close up on Doug's hands manipulating a nickel, then a jukebox production of Cosby. He introduced a number of novel (for the time) illusions, including a version of Buatier De Kolta's Vanishing Lady illusion (featuring Lieberman) and concluded with an up-tempo version of Houdini's Chinese Water Torture Cell.
The special was the top rated show for the evening, with a reported 50 million viewers, making it the highest-rated magic special of all time. The show also won the Christopher Award for outstanding achievement. In 1977, the show won an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction and Electronic Camerawork.