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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.
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(After viewing this Magic In The Movies page, please click on any of the buttons above to move to any of the other Pages)
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3159-1307) THE MAD MAGICIAN - MovieLobby 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 a few pin holes, age discoloration, an edge tear and a wrinkle, here and there.
The Lobby Card 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
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3160-7547) HOUDINI Lobby Cards from Mexico.
From the 1953 movie "HOUDINI" starring Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.
These Lobby Cards are a little larger than our American release size of 11"x14" - they measures 16 1/2"x12 3/4".
The Lobby Cards show colorful images, from the movie, all around the card. Just off center, is a photo image from the movie.
No pin holes. Lobby card are in NearMint condition.
a)
Houdini about to be lowered into the Water Torture Cellb
) Houdini levitating Bessc
) Houdini sawing Bess in halfd
) Houdini escaping from jail celle
) Houdini being placed inside the Metamorphosis boxf
) Houdini being chained, before getting inside the river escape boxg
) Houdini, inside the box, being lowered into the iced over riverh
) Close up of Bess and HoudiniThe BONUS of this offering is each Lobby Card has been Personally Signed by Tony Curtis!! - $125.00/(each)
-or- $900.00 for them ALL
a)
b)
c
)
d)
e
)
f)
g
)
h)
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3129-8498) HOUDINIs 1919 PressBook for his movie: "THE GRIM
GAME".
The ReproCopy, offered here, was made from the ONLY KNOWN ORIGINAL COPY
of this PressBook - now residing at a private Houdini Collection, in Florida.
The PressBook measures 11"x17" and contains 24 PACKED pages (12 sheets printed on both sides) of information.
The PressBook is on Premium #4 grade, 20lb. copy bond paper. Ivory colored paper
was used, so the appearance would appear more Authentic, than just having a copy
on boring White Paper. - And, since the Original has Color on the Cover, the Cover
has been reproduced IN COLOR, to try and make this as Authentic looking as possible.
Please click the link below, for a detailed description of the Original PressBook:
www.GranHoudini.net/PressBook.htm
The PressBook as been bound together with staples (10 in all) along the left edge - making it easy to read, in a BookLike manner, instead of just having assorted loose pages. - $50.00
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3130-7596) 8x10 PHOTO OF HOUDINI
The photo comes from the movie: 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.Shows Houdini hanging off the edge of a cliff.
The photo has a wrinkle or two, but still in great condition.
Original photos, from Houdini’s Silent Films from 90 years ago, bring Hundreds of Dollars, so it’s nice a more modern version can be affordable and Still be 49
Years Old. - $35.00
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3077-4329) THE GEISHA BOY starring Jerry Lewis.
This is a 14”x36” poster (called a Panel or Insert Poster).
The Great Wooley (Jerry Lewis) is a magician who is entertaining GIs in Japan. Upon their arrival he causes a series of unfortunate mishaps for the headliner, actress Lola Livingston (Marie McDonald), including knocking her down a flight of stairs and rolling her up in the red carpet. An orphan, Mitsuo Watanabe (Robert Hirano) witnesses the spectacle and laughs for the first time since his parents died. When his aunt Kimi Sikita (Nobu McCarthy) brings the boy to Wooley to thank him, he and the boy become close, which irritates the aunt's boyfriend, a Japanese baseball player, as well as a stewardess (Suzanne Pleshette) who has fallen for Wooley.
Wooley continues to perform his act to large audiences in Japan, and not wanting to disappoint the boy by letting him find out that he is an unknown performer in the U.S., he tries to sneak away when it is time for him to return to America. The boy follows him, and Wooley must pretend that he no longer cares for the boy, which makes him cry. However, he still follows him to America by stowing away on the plane. Once in America, they are reunited and Wooley becomes a successful performer in America.
Top portion shows Lewis’ name and title of movie. Middle portion shows Lewis, seated, eating with chop sticks. To the left of this is the female star (Sessue Hayakawa). To the right, the boy star. Under this are cast and credits. The bottom portion shows Lewis (in full tux) holding a rabbit. As though he had just pulled it out of the top hat, which is on the table next to him. Scene also shows the female and boy stars in their assistant costumes.
Poster is folded into quarters, as most All Posters of this size come. After folding, the poster becomes almost the size of the Lobby Cards (11x14) and could be shipped off, with the film, to the next movie theatre. The folds are a little washed out in the photos below.
Only the 4th of these I've EVER had to offer. Overall condition would be Excellent for this 52 year old poster from 1958.
As the photos, below, show - the poster has been professionally Double Matted and placed in a metal Framed. Overall measurements of the frame approx. 21"x43"
On a scale of 1-10, I would call this one a 7. - $300.00
(or, if you want only the poster, without the frame - $175.00)
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3078-6258) 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. - $125.00/(for all 8)
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3079-5592) REPRODUCTIONs of GREAT HOUDINI POSTERs
I don't know who did these or when they were made, but they sure were done well.
The Colors are Very Bold and Dramatic. Some are laminated.
Those available are:
(a)
THE MASTER MYSTERY, Episode #13
(b)
THE MASTER MYSTERY, Episode #13(but the number has been hidden)
(c)
HARRY HOUDINI, King of Cards
(d)
THE MASTER MYSTERY, Episode #4
(e)
THE MASTER MYSTERY, Episode #11
(f)
THE GRIM GAME, Version One -
(Sorry, this poster has sold)
(g)
THE GRIM GAME, Version Two
(h) HOUDINI,
beast/water torture cell
(i) HOUDINI,
Europe's Eclipsing Sensation
The Posters with
yellow lettering measure 11"x17" and those with red lettering are 11"x14" - the last two (h) and (i) are 9 1/2"x13 1/2"Your choice: $15.00each
a)
c)
d)
e)
f)
(Sold)
g)
h)
i)
(Or, take all eight for $100.00)
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3091-9765) 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:
1-page of premiere info
1-page printed color photo of Johnathon Schaech and Stacy Edwards
1-page title and date of movie
1-page press release
2-pages of Houdini milestones
3-pages production Credits
2-pages of cast biographies
1-page of production biographies
1-page Cast Credits
1-page Slide Caption sheet
(shows 10slides - 9slides are included with this offering)
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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 NINE slides are worth the price of the PressKit alone!!
No PressKit folder. -
$75.00
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2954-4137) 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 The Second One I’ve ever had to offer. - $75.00
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2955-4621) 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 56 Year Old poster is in Excellent condition and mounted onto Linen. - $500.00
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2880-3881) THE MAN FROM BEYOND
Not a whole lot of description needed for this offering.
Harry Houdini's full length silent movie from 1922 - on VHS Video Tape.
Grab the popcorn, sit back and watch HOUDINI, the movie star, in action. -
$25.00
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2881-2654) MYSTIC CIRCLE MURDER
The Thrill of Thrills! The Master of Magic and Thrills.
The dead return to speak to the living! At least, that's what vulnerable and gullible mourners are led to believe when they visit the temple of the Great La Gagge, a charlatan psychic who stages rigged seances with his greedy henchman in order to fleece unsuspecting believers out of their hard-earned (or inherited) cash. La Gagge leads his latest potential victims, two wealthy widows utterly smitten by the Master, on a wild ghost chase across the Atlantic to the base of the Sphinx and the banks of the Ganges, as part of his scam to steal their fortunes.
Mystic Circle Murder, a low budget Merit Pictures production, is notable for a rare screen appearance by the widow of the great escape artist and magician, Harry Houdini. Madame Houdini delivers her definitive judgement on the efforts of the living to contact the dearly departed. Her verdict: don't waste your money or time trying to talk to the dead, because if her beloved Harry couldn't send back a message for her, what chance do the rest of us have to commune with the spirits?
Filmed on the very cheap, Mystic Circle Murder (aka Religious Racketeers) is distinguished by the presence of Mme. Harry Houdini, in a rare movie appearance. The widow of the famed magician introduces the film by warning the viewer to steer clear of phony psychics who promise to communicate with the dear departed. The story proper then gets under way, with fake fakir La Gagge (Robert Fiske) fleecing wealthy widows Ada Barnard (Betty Compson) and Martha Morgan (Helene Le Berthan). Throughout the film, the many gimmicks used to sucker the gullible into believing they've reached the Great Beyond are exposed and explained.
Released in 1939. Directed by Frank O'Connor. Produced by Fanchon Royer. - $25.00
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>>>The next 7 offerings all have to do with 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 48 Years Ago.<<<
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2817-8453) 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
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2818-1343) 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
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2819-9777) 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 48 years and in Great Condition - $100.00
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2820-6906) 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.
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.
What's offered here are six of the eight.
All Lobby Cards measure 11”x14”.
Houdini’s name is shown in the Credits, on the left side, of ALL the Lobby Cards.
Click on the thumbnail photo's, below, for a better view of these Wonderful Lobby Cards. - $10.00each
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2821-4158) 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 Near Mint Condition. - $25.00
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2822-4170) Lobby Card (12 ½"x16 ½") from Mexico.
Houdini's name is in the credits, plus the scene where Houdini is hanging off the edge of a cliff.
Now's there's
Saturday afternoon MovieSerial drama for you.
Where else can you buy an Original Houdini Lobby Card for under $2,000?!! -
$20.00
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2823-4120) 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 48 years ago - $50.00
(Buy the one you like -or- take ALL seven for $300.00)
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REMEMBER, all photos are Thumbnails - click on the photo to bring up the LARGER photo.
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(After viewing this Magic In The Movies page, please click on any of the buttons above to move to any of the other Pages)
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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) ~ 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.
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