The Magic Show with Doug Henning

This film version of a long running Broadway show is fun from start to finish. The illusions are all great. The levitation on the water jets is truly baffling. Even for a person having a knowledge of magic, these illusions are wonderful. The whole cast seems to be having a great time doing the show and it comes across.Doug Henning is a delight as he was in his TV specials, but is given more of a chance to let an audience get to know him in the sort of silly story that surrounds the illusions. Anita Morris doesn't have a lot to do, but is a very sexy "glamorous assistant". Seeing Mr. Henning and Miss Morris makes a viewer slightly sad since they are no longer with us.Didi Conn is a comic delight as Doug's unappreciated assistant. She has two delightful songs - "Lion Tamer" and "Where Did The Magic Go".Comparing the musical numbers in this film to those on the original Broadway cast recording, some numbers have been replaced by new ones for this film. While none are "showstoppers" or that you will be humming when the show is over, they do contribute nicely to the over all fun of the piece.There are no "extras" on the DVD and the sound is a bit fuzzy in a few places during the musical numbers, but the whole show is so much fun that these faults can be overlooked.Once a Broadway show has closed, usually they live on only in sound recordings and the memories of those who saw them, so it is great to have a film of this Broadway hit and a lasting memory of Mr. Henning and Miss Morris.

You would not believe my surprise as I was sitting at my computer pouring over this very site and seeing that The Magic Show was being released on DVD.I had seen the Broadway production over 50 times during it's almost 5 year run. Many a day (and evening) I sat in the Cort theater fascinated by Henning's magic and Schwartz's music. Now could this production, filmed live in 1981, capture all the magic of the Broadway production. In a word.....YES!!! Although some of the Music is different and only two original cast members remain(Henning amd Anita Morris as Charmin)This production is alive with the same good feeling as the original.Didi Conn brings to the role of Cal, Hennings assistant and wannabe girlfriend, the same spunkyness Dale Soules had on Broadway. Some of the original music is gone (West End Avenue is replaced by Where Has the magic Gone? and Solid Silver Platform shoes gives way to We're Gonna Need a Magician)but the new songs carry all the zestyness Schwartz is famous for. If you saw the play in New York, this DVD is a must. If you loved Henning's magic or Schwartz's music, order it now for this DVD is (as Charmin says)" a Dream come true"!!

I saw The Magic Show on Broadway as a kid, and I never thought I would have a chance to see it again. While this version of the show is not identical to the one that played on Broadway, it is still worth seeing. The story is basically the same, but some of the illusions have been switched. For example, Zig Zag and The Chinese Sticks are not in this version, but other illusions were added. A musical number or two was changed, too. The show looks dated -- very mid-70s to mid 80s, but the magic is terrific. It is also an indelible example of Doug Henning, one of magic's greatest performers.

I remember when this work was in production. Then wondered why I never got to see it. I saw Henning in the broadway production and was enthralled.When I heard of the video version of the show I was dismayed at all the negative remarks... I watched it tonight with tears in my eyes. Certainly, there are magical elements that shouldn't be there and it is missing musical elements that should be. But to see Doug Henning again, to see that magic is more than just trick photography, this show truly is MAGIC.How could I have waited so long.

It was great seeing this again but not everything was as great as I remember the original show to be. I don't know if it's just been that many years and my tastes have changed or the original was better. And it was missing West End Avenue. One of my favs. Still great to bring back memories. (I saw the show twice on Broadway in its first couple of years and had the album)

I did see the broadway show and also had the chance to see the Mexican version of the show, ( the only one that ever made it to a forgein language) the show was is "ok" it never "work" in other language than English but the VIDEO CAST is terrible ANITA MORRIS was the one of the good things of this show, and that is due to fact that her husband was the choreographer, and she had great talents as you can see in this tape, Doug was not an actor..."MERLIN".. why don't you ask CHITA RIVERA was 'fine' for the time and the cost of tickets ( NOW we have much better magic and shows for free on TV) , and I do miss all those great songs that are not in this version, also this is not Gover Dale's show, he and Jerry Zaks made it to a hit.. but I guess they wanted to do a film( money) or a video( less money) or a TV special ( pay for the salaries ) out of this material...and when they did see it as terrible as it is NOW.. THEY SAID " NO WAY JOSE"... so why do we have to pay for this ?IT IS NOT WORTHEven it is terrible for a free flight movie from Kabul to Des MoinesRoberto

I have fond memories of this show live in New York, years ago! I am so happy to have my own copy of it of my very own!

I didn't really want this DVD but since it was filmed as a live stage production, I bought it for my collection. I was surprised when I watched it. It was really good! It's not a show I will probably watch often as the story was weak, but it had some really special moments I liked.