|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Specializing in Houdiniana
MAGIC IN THE MOVIES Section
Weather In Spring, Texas
Welcome to the: "Magic In The Movies Section" .
Below you'll find quite an assortment of material having to do with Magic which has appeared on TV, Movies, etc.
All photos below are "Thumbnails". This means, what's showing on your screen is a smaller version of the actual photo. Click on the smaller photo and this will bring up the regular size photo -then- use your "Back Arrow" to come back to this WebSite Page.
If you've any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me:
Stephen A. Sparks (a/k/a Sparky) - P. O. Box 1345 - Spring, Texas 77383-1345 USA
281-353-1014 (Phone and/or Fax) ~ 281-827-4001 (Cell)
Or, click here to email me >>>>> Houdini374@aol.com<<<<<
(After viewing this Magic In The Movies page, please click on any of the buttons above to move to any of the other Pages)
2548-1307) THE MAD MAGICIAN Lobby Card
This chiller 3-D movie, from 1954, is about Don Gallico, a master at designing magical illusions which are sold by his employer, Mr. Ormond, to famous magicians such as Rinaldi. He is also a master of disguise and realistic mask design. When Don embarks upon his own career, as Gallico the Great, showcasing his own masterful illusions, his dreams are shattered by Ormond and he turns to murder to vent his frustrations.
The movie starred Vincent Price (as The Mad Magician), Eva Gabor, Mary Murphy and Patrick O'Neal.
There are no pin holes in this card. The Lobby Card is in Near Mint Condition and comes framed, in a 'floating style'. You might be able to see some reflection in the framed image, below, due to the reflective glass.
Lobby card measures 11"x14". The overall frame size is approx. 22 1/4"x19 1/4". The three layered matt's are a dark charcoal, light blue, and a reddish orange. The frame, itself, is a black metal.
This is THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER LOBBY CARD from this movie, showing the Magician producing his young, lovely assistant. - $125.00
2556-6258) THE GEISHA BOY Movie Lobby Card Set
This offering is for all eight Lobby Cards from this Wonderful 1958 movie starring Jerry Lewis, Marie McDonald and Sessu Hayakawa.
Each card measures 11"x14".
All Lobby Cards have small pin holes (and I mean VERY SMALL), which is to be expected.
Please click on the ThumbNail photos, below, to bring up the larger photos, for a better view.
I'm using the photos provided, to me, by the person whom I purchased these from.
I noted, after receiving the Lobby Cards, the seller must have carefully trimmed off the excess brown backing paper, which can be seen in three of the Lobby Cards below.
First Lobby Card, in Row 2, is missing a small portion from the right border. Of course, if framed, this wouldn't show.
Each Lobby Card comes in its own protective 100% Pure Virgin Polyethylene bag. - $100.00/(for all 8)
2511-5555) TWO 8x10 PHOTOs FROM THE 1953 MOVIE “HOUDINI” starring Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.
#46 - Houdini, on stage, pouring milk into a paper cone.
Great Houdini poster to his right.
#48 - Houdini and Bess, backstage in their dressing room, with the gentleman/shill who had just gotten Houdini challenged, by Scotland Yard, to escape from one of their jail cells.
Both photo's have a little curve to them, but they'll be shipped in a flat envelope with thick cardboard and they should straighten out in time.
First photo has a few pin holes, the second doesn't.
First photo is all Black-n-White - second photo is sepia. - $45.00/(for both)
2526-6582) Official promotional PressKit for the TNT original movie HOUDINI
Presskits are made available to members of the media and are not sold in stores, so this is a unique opportunity!
The PressKit includes ALL THIS:
Black folder with color image from film &
logo
3-page packet of cast & crew list
2-page packet of selected cast bios
1-page Q&A with Johnathon Schaech
1-page Q&A with Stacy Edwards
1-page Q&A with George Segal
1-page Q&A with Paul Sorvino
1-page Q&A with Rhea Perlman
3-page Q&A with writer & director Pen Densham
1-page of premiere info and slide captions
1-page press release
2-page packet of production bios
1-page of Houdini milestones
2 B&W 8x10 glossy photo sheets
1 sheet of ad slicks
3-page packet of production bios
8 Color slides!!
Credited cast:
Johnathon Schaech .... Harry
Houdini - Stacy Edwards .... Bess Houdini - Paul Sorvino .... Blackburn - Rhea
Perlman .... Esther - George Segal .... Beck - David Warner .... Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle - Mark Ruffalo .... Theo - Grace Zabriskie .... Mrs. Weiss - Ron
Perlman .... Booking Agent - Karl Makinen .... Jim Collins - Judy Geeson ....
Lady Doyle
Rest of cast listed
alphabetically:
Tom Michael Bailey
.... Policeman - James Barbour .... Reporter #1 - David Bickford .... Journalist
- Joshua Breslow .... Young Theo - Martin Clark .... Hank the Old Prisoner -
Jeffrey Cox .... Reporter #3 - Rob Elk .... Detroit Police Officer - Daren Flam
.... Montreal Student #1 - Michael Gallagher .... Doctor - Emile Hirsch ....
Young Houdini - Endre Hules .... Franz - Jack Knight .... Warden - Curt Lowens
.... Samuel Weiss - Jack Marston .... Kaiser Wilhelm - Martin McDougall ....
Radio Technician - Jack McGee .... Street Vendor - Frank McRae .... Usher -
Ralph Meyering Jr. .... Reporter #2 - David Moreland .... Sweatshop - Foreman -
Bill Moynihan .... 1st Volunteer - Laura Pallas .... Dancing Woman - Jeffrey
Pierce .... Montreal Student #2 - Haruo Shimada .... Street Magician - Kevin
Shinick .... Reporter #4.
Review:
Houdini is a made for
television movie about the life and legend of magician Harry Houdini. Jonathan
Schaech plays the title role, while Stacy Edwards plays his wife. The film
traces Houdini's life, beginning with his childhood. He was originally known as
Ehrich Weiss, growing up in a poor ghetto family in turn of the century New
York. With the death of his father, the soon-to-be Houdini and his best friend,
Jacob Hayman, labor in the textile industry and dream of greater things. Jacob
urges Ehrich, to practice slight-of-hand and magic. Borrowing from the tricks
and the name of the legendary French magician, Robert-Houdin, the 'Houdini'
brothers set out to a faltering career in show business. While magic was
originally Jacob’s idea, Ehrich displays the greater talent for the art, and
thus the legend of Harry Houdini is born.
Told through flashbacks of his widow, Houdini jumps from waypoint to waypoint through his life. It details many of his well known stops along the way: his false starts in show business; his obsession with gaining the love and respect of his mother; his 'holy war' against fraud clairvoyants; his demise; and the séances that have since been conducted to contact Houdini in the spirit world.
The movie is focused on the legend of Harry Houdini; to that end, many of its elements are there solely to convey this fascinating story. While the acting and direction are competent, none of it outshines the tale. This film puts Houdini's fame in perspective. If you juxtapose Houdini and magicians of his era with today's world of entertainment, you start to appreciate the huge impact Houdini had during the 1920s. He entertained kings and presidents and was always the talk of the town when his touring show called. Simply put, he was a legend. The period in which Houdini thrived was a perfect breeding ground for what he did, as magic and wonder were becoming accessible to the masses. Technology was starting to deliver some wonders to the average person, and more people than ever were able to travel to exotic locales.
Houdini captures the feeling of the era and puts the story comfortably in that context. Even if you’ve watched documentaries and other productions about Houdini, this interpretation is worth seeing. It sheds some new light on the master magician and presents the tale of his life in an evenhanded manner.
The photos and EIGHT slides are worth the price of the PressKit alone!!
The PressKit folder shows some wear, but ALL the materials inside are just fine. - $75.00
2400-2992) SHEET MUSIC FOR "LOVE WALKED IN". Music by George Gershwin. Lyrics by Ira Gershwin.
From the 1938 movie "The Goldwyn Follies" starring: Adolphe Menjou - The Ritz Bros. - Zorina - Kenny Baker - Andrea Leeds - Helen Jepson - Phil Baker - Ella Logan - Bobby Clark - Jerome Cowan - The American Ballet - The Gorgeous Goldwyn Girls and introducing Edgar Bergen and 'Charlie McCarthy'.
There are many stars on the cover of this Sheet Music, including Bergen and McCarthy in what appears to be their first motion picture.
This is a MUST for those of you who collect Sheet Music, with a magic or ventriloquist tie in. - $25.00
2416-4137) 14"x36" Poster from: "TWO ON A GUILLOTINE".
This 1965 movie starred Connie Stevens, Dean Jones and Cesar Romero.
This particular size poster is called an Insert Poster. Along with 1-sheet posters, these are the most popular with poster collectors due to their size. They generally come folded and this one is no exception. These are hard to come by and Only Second One I’ve Ever had to offer. - $75.00
2342-4621) 29"x43" Original 1953 1-Sheet Poster (from Argentina) for the movie: "EL GRAN HOUDINI" starring Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Almost identical to the American 1-sheet, except "El Gran" is added above the "HOUDINI" title, at the top of the poster. Plus all the other wording is in Spanish.
Poster shows "EL GRAN HOUDINI" boldly across the top of the poster. Under this is a close-up, head-shot, of Harry and Bess. Overlaid over Bess' hair is a smaller shot of Houdini, bound in chains, hanging upside down. Bottom quarter of poster shows Tony Curtis' name on one side, Janet Leigh's on the other. Between both names is smaller shot of Bess in her stage assistants costume. Rest of the movie credits, etc. along the bottom of the poster.
While the American poster comes available from time to time, you almost never see one from another country offered. This 55 Year Old poster is in Excellent condition and mounted onto Linen. - $500.00
2343-4518) LOBBY CARD SET FROM MEXICO for the 1953 Movie: "EL GRAN HOUDINI" STARRING TONY CURTIS and JANET LEIGH
This is a COMPLETE SET of 8 Lobby Cards issued for the movies release in Mexico. They are larger than the American versions (11"x14"), in that these measure approx. 16 1/2"x12 3/4". For the most part, the outer art work of each card is the same. Various drawings representing different scenes in the movie on the right side; colorful head-shot drawing of Houdini and Bess, where Houdini is lightly kissing Bess' right cheek.
At the top of each card is "El Gran Houdini" in a bright yellow color with Curtis' and Leigh's names below this, in an olive green color. Just off center (to the right) is a Black-n-White (photo) scene from the movie. The various photo's used on these Lobby Cards are the same which were issued as Movie Stills. Quite different from what we're use to, here in the States, and are quite unique.
The set-of-8-Hard-To-Find Lobby Cards are in NEAR MINT+ Condition. One card has a very small pin hole in the upper left and right corner. And I mean, very small.
The nice BONUS, of this offering, is all the cards come in the Original Paramount envelope.
You see individual cards on Ebay, from time to time, but Not The Whole Set. Better call or email early on this offering. - $425.00
2344-7547) HOUDINI Lobby Card from Mexico.
From the 1953 movie "HOUDINI" starring Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.
This Lobby Card is a little larger than our American release size of 11"x14" - it measures 16 1/2"x12 3/4".
Card shows colorful images from the movie all around the card. Just off center, is the photo image of HOUDINI being lowered into the Water Torture Cell.
No pin holes and minor corner dings. Lobby card is in NearMint condition.
As you can see from the photo below, this is the Most Sought After card of the Lobby Card set, in that it shows Houdini being lowered into the water torture cell. - $75.00
2212-9212) THE STORY OF MAGIC
The mystical invocations of tribal shamans. The death-defying escapes of Harry Houdini. The headlining extravaganzas of David Copperfield and Penn & Teller. For thousands of years, magic has fascinated and enthralled, and its practitioners have guarded their secrets closely.
THE STORY OF MAGIC is a thrilling exploration into the long history of this enigmatic art. From Ancient Egyptians to Vegas headliners, explore the world of conjurers and illusionists through rare photos, footage, artifacts and interviews. Discover how magic freed itself from roots in mysticism and the occult to avoid persecution by the church, and how it flourished as a royal entertainment in Napoleon's court.
Meet some of history's greatest magicians, men like illusionist David Devant, showmen Siegfried and Roy and the father of modern magic, Jean Robert Houdin. See some of the greatest tricks of all time.
Comes on two VHS tapes: Centuries of Deception -and- Mystery in America.
New and unused. - $25.00(for both tapes)
REMEMBER, all photos are Thumbnails - click on the photo to bring up the LARGER photo.
2113-3204) EIGHT Macon, Georgia NEWSPAPERS FROM 1919 WITH ADVERTISEMENTs AND ARTICLES FOR HOUDINIs 15-PART SERIAL: "THE MASTER MYSTERY". Each paper has a nice size advertisement for the Houdini movie. The eight are Sunday complete papers (running approx. 40 pages), each advertising Serial Episode numbers 1 thru 7 and 9. Some of the papers also have articles about the movie.
Dates, advertisements and articles include:
August 3, 1919 - page 5, 6 1/2"x7" adv. for Episode #1 -and- 2"x4" article: "Big Serial Coming to the Princess"
August
10, 1919
- page 3, 6 3/8"x4 3/4" adv. for Episode #2 -and-
2"x5 1/2" article: "Houdini Does New Stunt
Picture" August
17, 1919
- page 5, 4 1/4"x6" adv. for Episode #3. August
24, 1919
- page 5 (second section), 4 1/4"x5" adv. for Episode
#4 -and- 2"x2 1/4" article: "Houdini Escapes From Diving
Suit" August 31, 1919
- page 4, 4
1/4"x5 3/4" adv. for Episode #5 September 7, 1919
- page 7 (second section) 6 1/2"x2 1/4" adv. for Episode #6 September
14, 1919
- page 11 (second section) 3 1/4"x6 1/2" adv. for
Episode #7 (See Houdini escape from the Electric Chair) September
28, 1919
- page 9 (second section) 4 1/4"x4 1/2" adv. for
Episode # 9 -and- 2"x5" article: "New Houdini Feats Shown
in 9th Episode"
I hate to be redundant with the word RARE, but what can I say?
It’s tough enough to find ANY complete
newspaper with a Houdini movie advertisement and here are a total of 8!! -
1960-5581) HOUDINIs “The Grim
Game” MOVIE POSTER. In the Summer of 1997, a 1-sheet Poster
for Houdini’s Movie “The Grim Game” sold at auction. Price (with buyers
fees) exceeded $21,000. There were only three of these posters known - with two
of these being in Appleton, Wisconsin. The Poster has since sold in the $30,000
range, twice. 1961-1303) A HAUNTING
WE WILL GO Movie Lobby Card from Mexico. For those of you collecting material from
this 1942 Laurel and Hardy movie,
you know how HARD American movie memorabilia pieces are to come by. Well, what's
offered here is even harder - it's the Lobby Card from the Mexican Release.
Larger in size than our American Lobby Cards,
this piece measures approx. 12 1/2"x 16 1/2". There are a few pin
holes (which are to be expected), but I would say the Lobby Card still grades
EXCELLENT in condition, if not Near Mint.
Great color, drawings, etc. around most of
the card, but what makes this card so desirable is the photo of Laurel and
Hardy, Sheila Ryan and DANTE
the Magician.
This has been Professionally double Matted
and Framed. The frame is Great Looking Black Wood. And, what’s interesting
about the frame is the fact: the outside and inside edges of the wood have been
amazingly shaved to have the same appearance as the angle/cuts of the mattes
themselves - complimenting one other. Overall measurement approx. 18”x24”.
Wouldn’t this SCARCE
Lobby Card look nice hanging on your wall?!! -
$250.00
1902-4142) A HAUNTING WE WILL GO. Scarce Title
Lobby Card from the 1942 Laurel and Hardy movie. This measures 11"x14" and shows
Laurel/Hardy wearing turbans. Plus, there's the Color photo insert of DANTE,
The Magician.
Accompanying this Scarce Title Lobby Card is a
type
written PERSONALLY SIGNED Postcard by STAN LAUREL.
The postcard is dated
January 5th, 1965 and reads:
"Thanks Gary your card & letter 2nd inst. We here
too wish you & yours, A Happy, healthy & prosperous 1965. No, L&H
were never invited to place our foot prints in Grauman's Chinese Theatre lobby.
Pleased to know you're doing so well with your L&H film library - am sure
Mike Polacek is of great assistance in collecting these. Am not feeling too good
- taking Xray treatment twice a week (infection). Trust alls well & happy
with you. - take care - God Bless. As always"
And the Postcard is Signed:
Stan Laurel
with his
name typewritten under his signature.
He would pass away only 7 weeks later on February 23rd.
As the photos below show, these two Scarce Pieces have been
Double Matted and Professionally Framed. Ready to hang on your wall. Overall
measurement approx. 19 1/2"x21". The Frame is Great Looking Black
Wood. And, what's interesting about the frame is the fact the outside and inside
edges of the wood have been amazingly shaved to have the same appearance as the
angle/cuts of the mattes themselves - complementing each other.
What a
Great Piece of History here. -
$1,000.00
LayAway is available - if
this is for you, just email for details. >>>The
What’s offered here is a reprint of this
Very
RARE Poster. The reprint was made from the Actual Poster,
which sold in the Summer 1997 auction. It measures 11”x17” and comes housed
inside a top-loading hard plastic sleeve. Mounted on the back of the sleeve is a
tab, which when pulled out makes this Poster ready for hanging. Would look great
hanging next to all your other Magic Posters. - $20.00
2134-8453) 1-sheet poster (27"x41"). Houdini’s name in the credits, but no scene from his part of the movie. Excellent to Near Mint in condition. 1-sheet posters are the Most Desirable of poster collecting, due to their excellent size for framing and hanging on the wall. - $50.00
2135-1343) 3-Sheet Poster (41"x81"). Comes in two sections. One measures 27"x41" and the other 54"x41". Houdini’s name is in the credits, plus the Niagara Falls scene where Houdini is holding the woman in his arms while in the water - just after saving her, from going over the Falls. - $75.00
2136-9777) Insert (or Panel) Poster (14"x36"). Along with the movie 1-sheets, this is probably the Second Most Collectible Size. Looking Great when matted and Framed. Houdini’s name in the credits, plus the Niagara Falls scene where Houdini is holding the woman in his arms while in the water - just after saving her, from going over the Falls. Most posters of this nature come folded, but this one was rolled all these 40+ years and in Great Condition - $100.00
2064-6906) Assorted Movie Lobby Cards From: THE DAYs OF THRILLs AND LAUGHTER
This 1961 film was a composite feature about the films of the Silent Era, of which one of Houdini’s movies: "The Man From Beyond" was showcased.
Below are various Scarce Items from this movies release from 4
6 Years Ago.Almost a full Set of American Movie Lobby Cards.
There were a total of eight Lobby Cards released for this movie, each showing a different Silent Film Star -and- one of these featured HOUDINI. A Great Scene Lobby Card showing Houdini hanging off the edge of a cliff.
What's offered here are seven of the eight.
All Lobby Cards measure 11”x14”.
Houdini’s name is also shown in the Credits on the left side of ALL the Lobby Cards.
There is a repaired cut going through the Houdini Lobby Card. Without the cut, it would have been priced at twice as much.
Click on the thumbnail photo's, below, for a better view of these Wonderful Lobby Cards.
$25.00 for the Houdini Lobby Card
-and-
$10.00each for the other six
1835-7596) 8x10 PHOTO OF HOUDINI
Shows Houdini hanging off the edge of a
cliff.
Has a wrinkle or two, but still in great
condition.
Photos from Houdini’s Original Silent Films from
85 years ago bring Hundreds of Dollars, so it’s nice a more modern version can be affordable and
Still be 4
2230-4158) Window Card Poster (14"x22"). Houdini’s name in the credits, but no scene from his part of the movie. Most Window Cards come folded, this one isn’t and is in Mint Condition. - $25.00
2232-4170) Lobby Card (12 ½"x16 ½") from Mexico. Almost the same as above, except the b/w Photo at the lower right is different. - $20.00
2233-4120) PressBook
Measures 13"x16 1/2" and contains six Large pages of advertising material, which the theatre's would use to advertise the movie in the Newspapers, etc.
PAGE ONE: the "Synopsis" of the film; what the 40"x60" poster looks like; the 'cast' and 'credits'.
PAGE TWO: an assortment of line drawings and photos to be used in the 'adv. campaign'.
PAGE THREE: an assortment of "teaser ads" and several photos from the movie, with captions beneath each. Of the seven photos, two are of Houdini. (1) "Houdini, The Cliff Hanger", and shows just that - Houdini hanging off a cliff -and- (2) "Saved From Niagara". This photo shows Houdini in the water, with a woman in his arms. As if he'd just saved her.
PAGE FOUR: has several close up photo's of the various stars and more art work from various scenes.
PAGE FIVE: contains various articles, which would be used as "Publicity." One article is on Houdini: "Houdini Thrills Anew In Long Lost Films."
PAGE SIX: shows what the various Posters and Lobby Cards look like.
Outside of being folded in half, this PressBook looks as new as the day it was printed, some 46 years ago - $50.00
(After viewing this Magic In The Movies page, please click on any of the buttons above to move to any of the other Pages)
Please
CLICK
HERE to check out my BioPage. Besides the Bio - there are 40 great photos of
RARE Houdini items. Many from my Personal Collection.
We, at SASC, are pleased to offer a LayAway plan for
those of you who would like this service. Just email for more information. All photo's are the Copyright of Stephen A. Sparks Collectibles and may
not be reproduced in any form or manner without permission of Stephen A. Sparks.
Stephen A. Sparks
Stephen A. Sparks Collectibles
Specializing in Houdiniana
P. O. Box 1345
Spring, Texas 77383-1345 USA
281-353-1014 (Phone and/or Fax) ~ 281-827-4001
(Cell)
Email: Houdini374@aol.com Ebay's: Gran*Houdini
PayPal or a Postal Money Order gets your order shipped within 24 hours of receipt, unless it arrives on a Friday or Saturday, then it will go out first thing Monday morning. ALL other forms of payment must clear first.
| To pay via PayPal, click on the icon below. When at PayPal, select "Goods(Other)" under "Type". |
 |