Spirit of America Bookstore
Wizards, Sorcerers, and Magicians
• Page Five - Movies & Television & Video •
|
top of page 1
|  |
top of page 3
top of page 4
here on page 5
|
Movies & TV & Videos About Magic
 | "Reel Magicians: The Art and Science of Magic In Hollywood Movies" [2017] by Glen Weissenberger author is a law school dean who has written short stories & novels, and several non-fiction books Kindle Edition from Eclectus Press, LLC [5/2017] for $14.95 Eclectus Press, LLC 10x7 pb [4/2017] for $19.98 |
cinema pioneer Georges Méliès [1861-1938]
was a stage magician before his career in French silent cinema
"Escamotage d'Une Dame Chez Robert-Houdin (Trickery of A Lady At The House of Robert-Houdin)" silent short [1896] /tt0000075/
watch the very first film with special effects [1/2015 upload; 1:22] online at YouTube
"Conjurer Making Ten Hats In Sixty Seconds" silent short [1896] /tt0000067/
"Conjuring" silent short [1896 /tt0000123/
"Le Prestidigitateur D. Devant" silent short [1897] /tt0223952/
"The Magician" silent short [1898] /tt0214902/
"A Turn of The Century Illusionist" silent short [1899] /tt0000246/
"The Magician and The Human Pump" silent short [1901] /tt0225662/
"Conjurer and 100 Tricks" silent short [1901] /tt0226772/
"Herrmann, The Great Conjuror" silent short [1902] /tt0227618/
"The Magician and The Imp" silent short [1902] /tt0225408/
"Alcofribas, The Master Magician" silent short [1903] /tt0223213/
"Tchin-Chao, The Chinese Conjuror" silent short [1904] /tt0135672/
"Les Cartes Vivantes (The Living Cards)" silent short [Star-Film France 1905] /tt0135179/
watch Méliès perform card tricks [4/2012 upload; 2:45] online at YouTube
"Olden and New Style Conjuring" silent short [1906] /tt0228552/
"Le Magicien" silent short [1907 /tt7699292/]
"Goldin's Little Joke" comedy magic short [British Mutoscope & Biograph Co. Aug 1902] /tt1964748/
British stage magician Horace Goldin [1873-1939] and an animated incubator and a 'flighty fowl'
"Comic Conjuring" comedy magic short [British Mutoscope & Biograph Co. Feb 1905] /tt0772766/
British stage magician Horace Goldin [1873-1939] demonstrates several magic tricks
"Häxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages" silent documentary
[Svensk Filmindustri Sept 1922]
  | 91-minute silent fictionalized documentary showing the evolution of witchcraft, from its pagan roots to its confusion with hysteria in Eastern Europe • Written & directed by Benjamin Christensen; original 1922 music score by Ludwig van Beethoven; starring Benjamin Christensen {multiple roles}, Maren Pedersen, Clara Pontoppidan, Elith Pio, Oscar Stribolt, Tora Teje, John Andersen, Poul Reumert, Karen Winther, Kate Fabian, Else Vermehren, Astrid Holm, Johannes Andersen, Gerda Madsen, Aage Hertel, Ib Schønberg, Emmy Schønfeld, Frederik Christensen, Ella La Cour {as Troldkvinde / Magician}, Elisabeth Christensen, Henry Seemann, Alice O'Fredericks, Knud Rassow, Ellen Rassow, Holst Jørgensen, H.C. Nielsen, Albrecht Schmidt
Criterion Collection b&w Blu-ray [10/2019] for $19.99 87-minute Criterion Collection subtitled b&w DVD [6/2010] for $20.46 71-minute A2ZCDs remastered DVD [11/2015] for $9.95 91-minute Criterion Collection b&w VHS [9/2001] for $28.45 full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia • Benjamin Christensen entry at Wikipedia watch full b&w movie [10/2015 upload; 1:44:52] online at YouTube |
76-minute version was re-released in 1968 with narration by beat poet Wm. S. Burroughs [1914-97];
soundtrack features violinist Jean Luc Ponty • Alpha Video b&w DVD [9/2015] for $6.99
 | "The Witch and The Hysteric: The Monstrous Medieval In Benjamin Christensen's Häxan" [2014] by Alexander Doty & Patricia Clare Ingham 84-page Punctum Books 8x5 pb [8/2014] for $9.79 |
 | "Witchcraft Through The Ages: The Story of Häxan, The World's Strangest Film, and The Man Who Made It" [2015] by Jack Stevenson 'widely considered both the most morbid and perverse film ever made, as well as a sober, scientific and thoroughly human document' F.A.B. Press 9x6 pb [2/2015] out of print/used |
"The Magician" silent (1926) [October 1926] /tt0017103/
A magician/alchemist, seeking to create life, finds that he needs 'the blood of a virgin' to continue his experiments; he sends out his dwarf assistant to pick out
the right girl - Director: Rex Ingram - Writers: W. Somerset Maugham (novel), Rex Ingram (adaptation) - Stars: Alice Terry, Paul Wegener, Firmin Gémier
"Stars On Parade" musical film [1936] /tt0028308/
some of the greatest acts from British Music Hall, including stage magician Horace Goldin [1873-1939]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stars_on_Parade_(1936_film)
"Mixed Magic" comedy short film [Educational Films/Fox Nov 1936]
 | Professional magician 'The Great Spumoni' fires his male assistant and his female assistant insists that he hire another one; the young man that he hires turns out to have no aptitude whatsoever for a magic act . . . Directed by Raymond Kane; written by Arthur L. Jarrett & Marcy Klauber; starring Buster Keaton, Eddie Lambert, Marlyn Stuart, Eddie Hall, Jimmie Fox, Walter Fenner, Pass Le Noir, Harry Myers full credits at IMDb • watch b&w short [10/2020 upload; 15:43] online at YouTube available on the Kino Classics "Lost Keaton, 1934-37" two-disk DVD set with 15 other sound shorts Kino Lorber Films Blu-ray [3/2012] 2 disks - out of prodn/used Kino Lorber Films DVD [3/2012] 2 disks - out of prodn/used |
"Nightmare Alley" (1947) Film-Noir /tt0039661/
The rise and fall of Stanton Carlisle, a mentalist whose lies and deceit prove to be his downfall.
Director: Edmund Goulding | Stars: Tyrone Power, Joan Blondell, Coleen Gray, Helen Walker
 | "The Ed Sullivan Show" weekly variety TV series [CBS-TV 1948-71] weekly hour-long Sunday evening TV show known as "Toast of The Town" from 1948-55; magicians DVD {as at left} was released (date unknown) but none found on Amazon or other sites (2020), not even on the official TV show website; magicians who appeared on the show included Carl Ballantine, Tommy Cooper, Fantasio, Doug Henning, Kalanag, Fred Kaps, René Lavand, Richiardi, and Marvyn 'Mr. Electric' Roy • series credits at IMDb watch magician Fantasio circa 1969 color segment [11/2020 upload; 3:50] online at YouTube |
 | "The Colgate Comedy Hour" [NBC-TV 1950-55] Bud Abbott shows Lou Costello a magic trick Unable to determine broadcast date of magic trick skit; said to be on Volume 2 of "Colgate Comedy Hour" on DVD, which is not available on Amazon (12/2020) more such silliness on Magic Lantern Video & Book Store's Abbott & Costello Page incomplete series credits at IMDb • watch skit [4/2007 upload; 3:56] online at YouTube |
"Festival of Magic" episode [NBC-TV May 1957]
Season 3, Episode 12 of the "Producers' Showcase" TV series [1954-57]
 | Written & hosted by comedian Ernie Kovacs - who doubles as an amateur magician whose acts fail miserably Produced by Mort Abrahams; directed by Charles S. Dubin; sponsored by John Hancock Insurance, RCA Electronics, & RCA Whirlpool appliances; live from New York; show features world-famous magicians from several countries performing their best-known acts: Richard Cardini (USA), Milbourne Christopher (USA), Robert Harbin (England), June Merlin (Ireland), Rene Septembre (France), Li King Si (Asia), and P.C. Sorcar (India) The Miracle Factory b&w kinescope DVD [10/2009] out of prodn/SOLD OUT ! credits at IMDb • watch full episode [7/2018 upload; 1:16:20] online at YouTube October 2009 article at the Ernie Kovacs fanblog |
"Ansiktet (The Face)" also released as "The Magician" (1958) /tt0051365/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magician_(1958_film)
A traveling magician and his assistants are persecuted by authorities in Sweden of the 19th century; their capture by the authorities, however, didn't bring victory
to those in power - written & directed by Ingmar Bergman [1918-2007] | Stars: Max von Sydow, Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Björnstrand, Naima Wifstrand
"The Last Escape" [NBC-TV Jan 1961]
 | Season 6, episode 17 of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" [1955–1962]; Joe Ferlini is a Houdini-like escape artist who performs in nightclubs; he claims to be the fastest at getting out of a straight jacket but wants to make a bigger splash . . . • Hosted by Alfred Hitchcock; directed by Paul Henreid; written by Henry Slesar; starring Keenan Wynn, Jan Sterling, Dennis Patrick
VHS/DVD/Blu-ray not available • full credits at IMDb • watch full episode [29:28] online at Daily Motion {may require different browser} |
"The World's Greatest Magicians" [NBC-TV Sept 1961] /tt1308443/
episode of the "International Showtime" TV series (1961)
Directed by Joseph Cates, hosted by Don Ameche
"The Raven" (1963) /tt0057449/
A magician who has been turned into a raven turns to a former sorcerer for help.
Director: Roger Corman | poe poem | Stars: Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, Hazel Court
 | "Magicians" episode [1966] of "The New 3 Stooges" TV series [1965-66] each episode included live-action Three Stooges wraparound skits, aired along with four cartoon shorts (usually on the same subject) • starring & cartoon voices of Joe DeRita, Larry Fine & Moe Howard, sometimes Emil Sitka • series credits at IMDb watch live-action 'Magicians' skits [4/2020 upload; 2:14] online at YouTube "The New Three Stooges: Complete Cartoon Collection" DVD Set 156 cartoon shorts & 40 live action sequences, plus BONUS CD featuring 12 kids' sing-along songs and 11 Christmas songs performed by the Stooges Madacy Home Video color DVD set [10/2013] 5 disks for $93.99 {sic} |
"The Most Escape-Proof Prison Camp I've Ever Escaped From" TV episode
[CBS-TV March 1967] Season 2, Episode 26 of the "Hogan's Heroes" comedy TV series [1965-71]
 | The arrival of a masterful escape-artist P.O.W. threatens to destabilize Hogan's set-up at Stalag 13 Co-produced & directed by Edward H. Feldman; written by Bill Davenport; starring Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner, Robert Clary, Richard Dawson, Ivan Dixon, Larry Hovis, Leon Askin, Edward Knight, Mickey Manners; series won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role {WK} "Hogan's Heroes: The Complete Series" DVD Box Set [2007] Paramount color DVD set [3/2016] 27 disks for $61.00 Paramount color DVD set [6/2018] 27 disks - out of prodn/used episode credits at IMDb • series entry at Wikipedia |
"The Magus" (1968)
A teacher on a Greek island becomes involved in bizarre mind-games with the island's magus (magician) and a beautiful young woman
Director: Guy Green | Stars: Anthony Quinn, Michael Caine, Candice Bergen, Anna Karina
"Frosty The Snowman" (25 min Animation TV Short) [1969] /tt0064349/
A living snowman and a little girl struggle to elude a greedy magician who is after the snowman's magic hat
Directors: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr. | Stars: Jackie Vernon, Billy De Wolfe, Jimmy Durante, Paul Frees
"The Wizard of Gore" (1970) /tt0066578/
A TV talk-show hostess and her boyfriend investigate a shady magician who has the ability to hypnotize and control the thoughts of people in order to stage
gory on-stage illusions using his powers of mind bending - Director: Herschell Gordon Lewis | Stars: Ray Sager, Judy Cler, Wayne Ratay, Phil Laurenson
"Catweazle" [1970-1971] /tt0063881/
30-minute TV series; Catweazle is a magician from the time of the Normans who is cast into the future by magic; with the help of two boys,
he uses magic in an attempt to return to his own time - Stars: Geoffrey Bayldon, Robin Davies, Gary Warren, Charles 'Bud' Tingwell
"The Magician" (1973) (TV Series) All 21 Episodes Plus TV Movie Pilot /tt0069606/
Starring: Bill Bixby, Julian Chistopher, Keene Curtis, Joseph Sirola,Mark Hamill, William Shatner, Jessica Walter, John Colicos
https://www.amazon.com/Magician-Episodes-Plus-Movie-Pilot/dp/B075392855/
"The Golden Voyage of Sinbad" (1973) /tt0071569/
Sinbad and the vizier of Marabia, followed by evil magician Koura, seek the three golden tablets that can gain them access to the ancient temple
of the Oracle of All Knowledge - Director: Gordon Hessler | Stars: John Phillip Law, Caroline Munro, Tom Baker, Douglas Wilmer
"Magic" [1978] /tt0077889/
Directed by Richard Attenborough Starring Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith
 | "Hocus Pocus, It's Magic" TV movie [H.B.O. 1978] Directed by Walter C. Miller; host Dick Cavett meets famous magicians Harry Blackstone Jr, Siegfried & Roy, Tony Slydini, The Great Tomsoni {Johnny Thompson}, and Mark Wilson 90-minute DVD available from CircusTimeMedia website for $19.99 + s/h Vestron Films b&w VHS [6/2005] out of prodn/scarce full credits at IMDb • watch shortened TV movie [11/2019 upload; 1:13:54] online at YouTube |
"Those Wonderful Movie Cranks (Bájecní Muzi s Klikou)" [Czechoslovakia Aug 1979] /tt0077202/
returning home to Prague, the magician Pasparte, owner of a circus caravan, meets his dying colleague who entrusts his beautiful daughter Aloisie . . .
Director: Jirí Menzel Stars: Rudolf Hrusínský, Vlasta Fabiánová, Blazena Holisová
"Magic With The Stars" TV special [NBC-TV Jan 1982]
 | 2-hour color NBC-TV special filmed before a live audience • Directed by Walter C. Miller; written by Garry Bormet & Frank Slocum; hosted by Orson Welles, Robert Guillaume, Loni Anderson & Jaclyn Smith; announcer voice of Dick Tufeld; magic consultant Don Wayne; featuring Erik Estrada, {co-producer} magician David Copperfield, Cindy Williams, Linda Evans, magician Norm Nielsen, The Fantasy Factory, Norman Fell, Scott Baio, Vincent Price, Dom DeLuise, Carlton & Company, magician Harry Anderson, Jon 'Bowzer' Bauman, Barbi Benton, Cathy Lee Crosby, The Don Crichton Dancers, Morgan Fairchild, Jack Klugman, Pamela K. Long, Sara Miles, Martin Mull, magician Richiardi Jr., magician Johnny Thompson {as The Great Tomsoni & Company}, with archive footage of actor Tony Curtis & magician Harry Houdini •
DVD/Blu-ray not yet available • full credits at IMDb
watch shortened TV show [1/2020 upload; 1:37:18] online at YouTube |
"The Last Unicorn" animation [1982] /tt0084237/
A brave unicorn (Mia Farrow) and a magician (Alan Arkin) fight an evil King (Sir Christopher Lee), who is obsessed with attempting
to capture the world's unicorns.
Directors: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr. | voices of Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury, Alan Arkin
"Charodei (Enchanters)" musical TV movie [Russia Dec 1982] /tt0083730/
runs 2½ hours; in a small Russian town, there is a Research Institute for Magic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charodei
"Something Wicked This Way Comes" (1983) /tt0086336/
In a small American town, a diabolical circus and its demonic proprietor prey on the townsfolk.
Director: Jack Clayton | bradbury novel | Stars: Jason Robards, Jonathan Pryce, Diane Ladd, Royal Dano
"The Care Bears Movie" [1985] /tt0088885/
The Care Bears watch over a young brother and sister who have lost their trust in humanity; meanwhile an evil wizard plans to cover the Earth in concrete
Director: Arna Selznick | voices include Georgia Engel & Mickey Rooney, with songs by Carole King & John Sebastian
"Houdini On Channel 4" TV episode [NBC-TV March 1988]
Season 3, Episode 5 of the "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" color TV series [1985-89]
 | A magician summons the spirit of Harry Houdini to rescue his kidnapped niece • Co-produced & written by Michael Sloan; directed by Timothy Bond; hosted by Alfred Hitchcock {archive footage}; starring Nick Lewin, Jan Filips {as Houdini}, Carolyn Dunn, Barclay Hope, Neil Munro, Ray Paisley, Charles Portainer, Rhonda D'Amour
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Complete Third Season" color DVD set [2006] Universal Classic TV color DVD set [10/2006] 5 disks for $29.08 Universal Classic TV color DVD set [10/2006] 5 disks for $52.64 episode credits at IMDb • series entry at Wikipedia |
"The Best of Magic" [Thames TV 1989-90] /tt3977376/
9-episode color TV series
"The World's Greatest Magic" NBC-TV special (1994) /tt0385345/
"The World's Greatest Magic 2" NBC-TV special (1995) /tt0421011/
"The World's Greatest Magic 3" NBC-TV special (1996) /tt0829320/
"The World's Greatest Magic 4" NBC-TV special (1997) /tt0332520/
"The World's Greatest Magic 5" NBC-TV special (Nov 1998) /tt0267123/
"Lord of Illusions" (1995) /tt0113690/
A private detective gets more than he bargains for when he encounters Philip Swan, a performer whose amazing illusions captivate the world, but they are not
really what everyone thinks - Director: Clive Barker | Stars: Scott Bakula, Kevin J. O'Connor, J. Trevor Edmond, Daniel von Bargen
"The Great Magic of Las Vegas" TV Mini-Series [1995] /tt0784880/
"Bogus" (1996) /tt0115725/
recently orphaned, a young boy is taken in by his godmother (Whoopi Goldberg) who is shocked to realize that she can see the boy's imaginary friend:
a flamboyant, French magician named Bogus (Gérard Depardieu) - Co-produced & directed by Norman Jewison; also starring Haley Joel Osment, Andrea Martin
 | "The Science of Magic" TV special [Discovery Channel 1997] 'Watch closely. Perhaps you'll be the next Houdini!' • 52-minute TV special produced by Dave Harding, Erik Nelson & Michael Brockhoff; hosted by Harry Anderson, featuring magicians Criss Angel & Lance Burton • full credits at IMDb Allumination color DVD [6/2000] out of prodn/used Allumination color VHS [1/99] out of prodn/used |
"FairyTale: A True Story" fantasy film [Warner Bros. Oct 1997]
 | French-American fantasy drama film about the real-life photographs in 1917 purported to be of fairies in the garden of two British children,
soon believed by some to be the first scientific evidence of the existence of fairies; story involves Sherlock Holmes' author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O'Toole) and master illusionist Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel) • Directed by Charles Sturridge; written by Albert Ash, Tom McLoughlin & Ernie Contreras; starring Harvey Keitel, Jason Salkey, Peter O'Toole, Lara Morgan, Adam Franks, Guy Witcher, Joseph May, John Bradley, Anna Chancellor {as Peter Pan}, Florence Hoath, Phoebe Nicholls, Leonard Kavanagh, Elizabeth Earl, Paul McGann, Anton Lesser, Bob Peck, Lynn Farleigh, Sarah Marsden, Tara Marie, Alannah McGahan, Bill Nighy, Tim McInnerny, Peter Mullan, Jim Wiggins, David Calder, Anthony Calf, John Grillo, Benjamin Whitrow, Dick Brannick, Barbara Hicks, Christopher Godwin, Andrew Cryer, Paul Popplewell, David Norman, Matilda Sturridge, Anna Ramsay, Charlotte Champness, Peter Wight, Willie Ross, Ina Clough, Carol Noakes, Stephen Chapman, Bill Stewart, Don Henderson, Stuart Howson, James Danaher, Martin Gent, Anthony Collin, Tom Georgeson, Angus Barnett, Felicity Brangan, Martin L. Evans, Harry Fielder, Mel Gibson, Hal Lindes; and fairies portrayed by Suzy Barton, Ali Bastian, Anna Brecon, Sean Buckley, Lindsey Butcher, Norma Cohen, Matt Costain, Philip Fowler, Katie Gibbon, Sophie Griffiths, Sara Li Gustafsson, Tara Kemp, William Lawrance, Caleb Lloyd, Marianne Melhus, Genevieve Monastesse, Simon Penman, Briony Plant, Anna-Louise Plowman, Jane Read-Wilson, Isabel Rocamora, Tom Sturridge, Mark Tate, Hayley Tibbins
Paramount Home Video widescreen color DVD [11/2003] for $5.99 Paramount Home Video widescreen color DVD [11/2003] for $16.01 Paramount Home Video widescreen color DVD [11/2003] for $16.40 Warner Home Video color VHS [6/98] out of prodn/used Atlantic Records movie soundtrack composed by Zbigniew Preisner on CD [10/97] out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia watch official trailer [5/2012 upload; 1:37] online at YouTube |
"The Art of Magic" TV special [KCTS-TV/P.B.S. Feb 1998]
 | Discover the people who created and performed the illusions, philosophies and history of this ancient art; using fascinating archival footage and stills, go back in time to learn about the early practitioners of magic • Principal writer & narrater Greg Palmer; featuring Isaac Fawkes, Cagliostro, the Fox Sisters, Cardini, John Nevel Maskelyne, Harry Houdini, Channing Pollock, Lance Burton, Siegfried & Roy, Max Maven, Jeff McBride, Jonathan Pendragon, James Randi, Jamy Ian Swiss •
full credits at IMDb
DVD/Blu-ray not available • PBS Home Video color VHS [3/98] out of prodn/used watch low-res movie [4/2017 upload; 2:23:47 = missing 6 minutes] online at YouTube companion book by Carl Waldman & Joe Layden, with Jamy Ian Swiss P.B.S. Books/General Publng Group 11½x9½ hardcover [3/98] out of print/used |
"Practical Magic" [Oct 1998] /tt0120791/
Directed by Griffin Dunne, starring Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest
"Magic, Illusion, and Entertainment" [1999]
3h 18min docufilm directed by Ron Hungfer, starring Andrea Blat
https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07KXC9N1X/
"Magicians" [2000] /tt0188045/
A con-man and a wannabe professional magician team up with a waitress and an old professional on their way to Vegas
Writer & director James Merendino + Stars: Til Schweiger, Claire Forlani, Fabrizio Bentivoglio
"Heroes of Magic" 2-hour TV documentary [Dec 2000] /tt1707784/
with archive footage of Harry Blackstone Jr., David Blaine, Lance Burton, Dick Cavett, David Copperfield, David Devant, Joseph Dunninger, Uri Geller, Horace Goldin,
Doug Henning, Harry Houdini, Fred Kaps, René Lavand, John Nevil Maskelyne, Sinéad O'Connor, Michael Parkinson, Charlotte & Jonathan Pendragon,
Richard Valentine Pitchford {as Cardini}, Richiardi Jr., Siegfried and Roy, Tony Slydini & Dai Vernon
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2: The Secret of the Bell" video release [2002] /tt0257778/
Animation, Quasimodo goes into action when a magician seeks to steal one of the bells of Notre Dame.
Director: Bradley Raymond | Stars: Jason Alexander, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Tom Hulce, Paul Kandel
"Spooky House" (2002) /tt0160905/
mysterious reclusive magician the Great Zamboni and his pet jaguar Shadow reside in the Spooky House, an old mansion that's rigged with magic tricks
and hidden chambers. Young orphan Max ... - Director: William Sachs | Stars: Ben Kingsley, Mercedes Ruehl, Matt Weinberg, Jason Fuchs
 | "50 Greatest Magic Tricks" TV documentary [Channel 4 UK May 2002] Twenty magicians/teams perform one trick, nine perform two tricks each, and four - Derren Brown, Lance Burton, Paul Daniels, Penn & Teller - perform three tricks each • Hosted by Adam Buxton & Joe Cornish; magic consultanting by Marc Paul & Scott Penrose; featuring The Amazing Johnathan, Michael Bailey, Jeremy Beadle, David & Marvin Berglas, Gay Blackstone, Adam Bloom, Ali Bongo, Derren Brown, Danny Buck-ler, Lance Burton, Sooty & Richard Cadell, Alistair Cook, David Copperfield, Paul Daniels, Simon Day, Geoffrey Durham {as The Great Soprendo}, Jeremy Dyson, Jenny Eclair, Pete Firman, Jonathan Goodwin, Franz Harary, Robert Harbin, Mark Heap, Simon Hickson, Penn |
|
Jillette & Teller, Dr. Peter Lamont, John Lenahan, Lisa & Shahid Malik, Debbie McGee, Donna McPhail, Paul Morley, Tom Mullica, Simon Munnery, Trevor Neal, Nicholas Parsons, Charlotte & Jonathan Pendragon, Fay Presto, Ian Rowland, Melinda Saxe, Reece Shearsmith, Stevie Starr, Paul Zenon; with archive footage {back to 1965 only} of: Amazing Orchante, Harry Blackstone Jr., David Blaine, Tommy Cooper, Simon Drake, Siegfried Fischbacher & Roy Horn, Robert Gallup, Guy Holling-worth, James Hydrick, Ishamuddin Khan, Hans Moretti & Helga Moretti, Mark Mottram, Richard Ross, Juan Tamariz, and Meir Yedid
VHS/DVD/Blu-ray not available • full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia watch shortened docufilm [6/2013 upload; 1:38:52] online at YouTube |
"Max Magician and The Legend of The Rings"
[Fantastic Films Intl. Oct 2002 & Feb 2009]
 | Boy interested in magic is given a book that propels him into a fantasy land with kings & princesses & elves & wizards . . . Co-produced & directed by Kevin Summerfield; co-produced & written by Kimberly Gough; starring Timothy Stultz {as Maxwell Majeck}, Ken Mitzkovitz, Erika Ann, Steven Barry Prince, Greg Coale, Lee Savage, Kevin Curtis, Fernando Londono, Lee Wilkinson, Jack Baker, Paul Danaceau, Blaine Thompson, Martin Colbert, Lisa Burdette, Michael Blumenstock, Philip A. Doccolo, Jack Mazzie, Jon Shepard, Teresa Shepard, Archie L. Harris Jr., Kimberly Gough Allumination color DVD [3/2002] out of prodn/used U.A.V. Corp. color VHS [12/2002] for $8.99 U.A.V. Corp. color VHS [12/2002] out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb • watch full movie [10/2016 upload; 1:25:59] online at YouTube |
"Greatest Magic Tricks in the Universe... Ever!" TV Series [2003] /tt0907606/
"Magician Impossible" TV Movie [Dec 2003] /tt1642628/
magician Joe Labero entertains passengers on a cruise ship touring the Mediterranean, aided by celebrity assistants
"Daniel The Wizard" (2004) /tt0421051/
evil assassins want to kill the third runner up for the German Idols
Director: Ulli Lommel | Stars: Daniel Küblböck, Ulli Lommel, Rudolf Waldemar Brem, Katja Rupé
"Doogal/Dougal" stop-motion animation (2005) /tt0339334/
A group of friends who live at the Magic Carousel embark on a dangerous journey in an effort to imprison their oppressor, the evil wizard Zeebad
Directors: Dave Borthwick, Jean Duval, Frank Passingham | Stars: Robbie Williams, Ian McKellen, Bill Nighy, Kylie Minogue
"Now You See It ..." (disney 2005 TV Movie) /tt0426568/
A budding producer searches for the country's best young magician
Director: Duwayne Dunham | Stars: Aly Michalka, Johnny Pacar, Frank Langella, Chris Olivero
"The Magician (Hokkabaz)" [Republic of Türkiye 2006] /tt0827503/
Failed magician Iskender decides to do a tour to save his career, but has to bring his grumpy and senile father along; the tour is quite unexpectedly interrupted
when a bride actually disappears from the stage - Directors: Ali Taner Baltaci, Cem Yilmaz | Stars: Cem Yilmaz, Mazhar Alanson, Özlem Tekin, Tuna Orhan
"The Prestige" [2006] /tt0482571/
Directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine
"The Illusionist" [2006] /tt0443543/ in which the title character performs some of Robert-Houdin's signature tricks
"The Great Magician (Den store trollkarlen)" [2007] /tt0963998/
a great magician was living in the guise of an anonymous clerk at the Mystical Bank; although he was surrounded by unfriendly people,
he refrained from using his supernatural powers – an absurd tale based on a short story by René Daumal
14-minute film directed by Elisabet Gustafsson
http://www.amazon.com/Great-Magician-trollkarlen-Elisabet-Gustafsson/dp/B01GUP52YM/ = region 2
"Magicians" [May 2007] /tt0841027/
A pair of rival stage magicians are forced to confront their falling out over a guillotine mishap when they compete in a magic competition
Director: Andrew O'Connor | Stars: Robert Webb, David Mitchell, Sarah Hadland, Paul Mark Elliott
"Next" (2007) /tt0435705/
A Las Vegas magician who can see into the future is pursued by FBI agents seeking to use his abilities to prevent a nuclear terrorist attack
Director: Lee Tamahori | Stars: Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore, Jessica Biel, Thomas Kretschmann
"Mestres do Ilusionismo" TV specials [Brasil 2007] /tt2384362/ + [2008] /tt2384366/ [2009]
http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mestres_do_Ilusionismo
"The Great Buck Howard" (2008)
A young man, much to the chagrin of his father, becomes the new assistant to an illusionist in decline
Director: Sean McGinly | Stars: Colin Hanks, John Malkovich, Tom Hanks, Emily Blunt
"Wizards of Waverly Place" (disney 2009 TV Movie) /tt1369845/
A young wizard conjures a spell that puts her family in jeopardy
Director: Lev L. Spiro | Stars: Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone
"Derren Brown Presents the 3-D Magic Spectacular" TV special [2009] /tt1597723/
"Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo" video release [2010] /tt1599351/
The gang goes on a trip to check on Velma's younger sister, Madelyn; she's been studying stage magic at the Whirlen Merlin Magic Academy, where apparently there have been
sightings of a giant griffin - the gang decides to investigate -- Directors: Spike Brandt, Tony Cervone | Stars: Frank Welker, Matthew Lillard, Grey Griffin, Mindy Cohn
"The Illusionist / L'Illusionniste"
[Pathé/Django France June 2010, USA Dec 2010]
  | Animated feature film of a Tati-like character, a performer who is increasingly unable to compete with rock stars; he meets a little girl in Scotland who becomes a fan, and they set out together for Prague • Written & directed by Sylvain Chomet, based on an unproduced 1956 script by Jacques Tati [1907-82] (said to be written for his estranged daughter); voices of Jean-Claude Donda, Eilidh Rankin, Duncan MacNeil, Raymond Mearns; nominated for Best Animated Feature Oscar, won European Film Award for Best Animated Feature, won National Board of Review Spotlight Award
Sony Pictures Classics widescreen color Blu-ray/DVD combo [5/2011] 2 disks for $23.78 Sony Pictures Classics widescreen color DVD [5/2011] out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia • official movie site official Django Films, Edinburgh website |
"The Sorcerer's Apprentice" [2010] /tt0963966/
master sorcerer Balthazar Blake must find and train Merlin's descendant to defeat dark sorceress Morgana la Fée
Director: Jon Turteltaub | Stars: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer
"The Magician" short film [2010] /tt1653699/
16-minute film written & directed by Kok-Yau Khong, starring John Sebastian & Edward Halsted
http://www.amazon.com/Magician-John-Sebastian/dp/B01M4LZ5J1/ on demand
"Spellbound" (korea? 2011) /tt2132405/
A magician meets an eccentric girl and offers her to work together in his magic show; it is only until a year later that he starts to know her personally and develops a feeling towards her despite her own problems - Director: In-ho Hwang | Stars: Ye-jin Son, Min-ki Lee, Cheol-min Park, Hyun-sook Kim
"The Secrets of Triumph (World's Greatest Magic Series)" on DVD [maybe 2011]
 | Dai Vernon's definitive Triumph card trick was first published in 1946 as part of the "Stars of Magic" book; since then, other magicians have devised amazing variations
"Triumph, Volume 1" contains Dai Vernon's Triumph performed by Johnny Thompson, with variations by Jon Armstrong, Larry Jennings, Bill Malone, James Swain, Boris Wild Volume 1: L&L Publng color DVD [undated] for $20.18 "Triumph, Volume 2" contains Dai Vernon's Triumph performed by Michael Ammar, with variations by Steve Dacri, Doc Eason, Joshua Jay, Joe Rindfleisch, J.J. Sanvert Volume 2: L&L Publng color DVD [undated] for $11.97 Volume 2: L&L Publng color DVD [undated] for $19.85 "Triumph, Volume 3" contains Triumph variations by Daryl, Henry Evans, Bill Malone (2), Martin Nash, Gary Ouellet Volume 3: L&L Publng color DVD [undated] for $19.88 |
"Hugo" [Warner Bros. Nov 2011]
  | Live-action adventure in 3-D based on Brian Selznick’s bestselling 2007 book; filmed in U.K. & in Paris, France; features an auto-maton, reenactments of Robert-Houdin's illusions, and information about how he inspired 'cinemagician' Georges Méliès [1861-1938] Co-produced & directed by Martin Scorsese; script by John Logan; starring Asa Butterfield, Ben Kingsley {as cinema pioneer Georges Méliès}, Sacha Baron Cohen, Chloe Grace Moretz, Helen McCrory, Jude Law, Christopher Lee, Emily Mortimer, Frances de la Tour, Richard Griffiths & Michael Stuhlbarg, with archive footage enhanced for 3-D of Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd & Georges Méliès; received 11 Oscar nominations: won for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing & Best Visual Effects; nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Music Score, Best Costume Design & Best Film Editing; also won A.F.I. Movie of The Year, Art Directors Guild Excellence in Production Design Award, two BAFTA Film Awards (and 7 other BAFTA noms), National Board of Review Awards for Best Director & Best Film, Satellite Award for Best Visual Effects, three Visual Effects Society Awards Paramount 3-D Three-Disk Combo w/s color Blu-ray/DVD/digital bundle [2/2012] for $27.99 Paramount Two-Disk Combo widescreen color Blu-ray/DVD/digital bundle [2/2012] for $21.99 Paramount Studios widescreen color DVD [2/2012] for $15.49 full credits at IMDb • official movie site • movie entry at Wikipedia |
 | "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" [ages 9-12; 2007 bestseller]   by Brian Selznick An orphan boy surviving inside a Paris, France railroad station meets an eccentric girl and a bitter old man, putting the boy's most precious secret in jeopardy; book won the 2008 Caldecott Medal Scholastic Press 8¼x6 hardcover [1/2007] for $13.72 official book site • book entry at Wikipedia |
"The Great Magician (Dai Moh Seut Si)" [China Dec 2011]
 | tagline: The greatest magician. The most ruthless warlord. A fight to the end. • 2-hour comedy romance movie co-written & directed by Tung-Shing 'Derek' Yee; co-written by Tin Nam Chun & Ho-Leung Lau, based on the novel by Haifan Zhang; music by Leon Ko; starring Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Ching Wan Lau, Xun Zhou, Ni Yan, Gang Wu, Paul Chun, Suet Lam, Kenya Sawada, Alex Fong, Tianchi Liu
Well Go USA widescreen color multi-format Blu-ray [3/2013] for $9.99 Well Go USA widescreen color Blu-ray [3/2013] for $21.62 Well Go USA widescreen color Blu-ray [3/2013] for $12.90 Well Go USA widescreen color DVD [3/2013] for $28.91 full credits at IMDb • watch 3/2013 official trailer [1:30] online at YouTube "The Great Magician" Chinese Edition novel [2011] by Haifan Zhang Mai Tian/Tsai Fong Books Chinese-language pb [1/2012] out of print/scarce |
 | "TV's 50 Greatest Magic Tricks" TV special [Channel 5 UK New Years Eve 2011] features the astonishing set-pieces of Penn & Teller, the mind-bending of Derren Brown, the street magic of David Blaine, comedy great Tommy Cooper, Paul Daniels, new kid on the block Dynamo, Joe Pasquale, Dick and Dom, and Stephen Mulhern; other participants include Barry & Stuart, David & Marvin Berglas, Danny Buckler, Ali Cook, Simon Drake, Fergus Flanagan, Kathryn Flett, James Galea, Franz Harary, Dominic Holland, Ian Hyland, John Lenahan, Chloe Madeley, David Mendoza, Kevin O'Sullivan, Vicky Pattison, Marc Paul, James Went, Jon Wise VHS/DVD/Blu-ray not available • full credits at IMDb watch full show [3/2013 upload; 2:13:27] online at YouTube |
"The Magicians" 11-episode TV series [BBC-TV 2011-2012] /tt1830351/
Three magicians challenge each other to perform the best trick; each week they are joined by a celebrity.
starring Barry Jones, Stuart MacLeod, Lenny Henry
"The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" (2013) /tt0790628/
a veteran Vegas magician tries to revive his career after his longtime partner quits, he gets fired from his casino act, and an edgy new 'street magician'
steals his thunder. - Director: Don Scardino | Stars: Steve Carell, Luke Vanek, Steve Buscemi, Mason Cook
"Now You See Me" (2013) PG-13 | 115 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller /tt1670345/
An F.B.I. Agent and an Interpol Detective track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances, and reward their
audiences with the money
Director: Louis Leterrier | Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Common, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson
"Now You See Me 2" (2016) /tt3110958/
The Four Horsemen resurface, and are forcibly recruited by a tech genius to pull off their most impossible heist yet
Director: Jon M. Chu | Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco
"The Magician: A Short Film" [2014] by James Galea
song/music video; lyrics include infamous 4-letter words
watch 2/2014 color short [5:08] online at YouTube
"Mythica: A Quest for Heroes" (2014) /tt3405714/
The young magician Marek dreams of exciting adventures. When she meets the help-seeking priestess Teela she offers her assistance and provides a motley troupe; together
they go in search of Teela's sister, who was kidnapped by a wild ogre - Director: Anne K. Black | Stars: Melanie Stone, Adam Johnson, Jake Stormoen, Nicola Posener
"Mythica II: The Darkspore" [2015] /tt3478232/
"Mythica III: The Necromancer" [Dec 2015] /tt3608646/
"Mythica IV: The Iron Crown" (2016) /tt5456798/
When a team of unlikely heroes hijacks a steam-powered battle wagon, daring young wizard Marek steals the final piece of the all-powerful Darkspore
and embarks on a desperate quest to ... - Director: John Lyde | Stars: Melanie Stone, Adam Johnson, Jake Stormoen, Nicola Posener
"Mythica V: The Godslayer" [Nov 2016] /tt5327922/
"Nate Bargatze: Full Time Magic" [2015]
a Comedy Central Now trial on Prime Video Channels Directed by Ryan Polito, starring Nate Bargatze
"Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell" [2015]
In an alternate history, during the time of real life Napoleonic Wars, two men of destiny - the gifted recluse Mr. Norrell and
daring spellcasting novice Jonathan Strange - use magic to help England • see Magicians In Fiction Section
 | "Escape Magic: Secrets Revealed" on DVD [MagicTricks 2015?] 36-minute DVD teaches nine escape tricks: Thumbcuffs; In Again Out Again Handcuffs; 50 Foot Rope Challenge; Siberian Chain Escape; Thumb Tie; Davenport Comedy Leg Tie; Escape Kings Coat; Zanzibar Rope Escape; Comedy Wrist Tie — and more! • featuring magician Carroll Baker of Ohio MagicTricks color DVD [2015?] out of prodn/used not listed on IMDb • official website |
"The Magicians" TV series [Sy-Fy 2015-2020]
 | 65 episodes over 5 years; after being recruited to secretive Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy, a group of students discover that the magic that they read about as children is very real - and more dangerous than they ever imagined . . . • based on Lev Grossman's best-selling book trilogy; actors Hale Appleman, Harvey Guillén, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Stella Maeve, Summer Bishil, Trevor Einhorn, Arjun Gupta
Universal Pictures Home Ent. multi-subtitled color Blu-ray [7/2020] 15 disks for $69.99 Universal Pictures Home Ent. color DVD [7/2020] 19 disks for $59.99 series credits at IMDb • official series site • series entry at Wikipedia |
  |
Book 1 "The Magicians" fantasy novel [2009] #1 bestseller by Lev Grossman
Brooklyn high school student Quentin Coldwater is admitted to the surreptitious Brakebills Academy for an education in magic; then he and his fellow students discover that the magical land of Fillory is real; they launch an expedition to use their powers to set things right in the kingdom – which, naturally, turns out to be a much more dangerous proposition than expected . . . Kindle Edition from Penguin Books [5/2009] for $12.99 Penguin Books 8½x5½ pb [5/2010] for $12.99 Viking 9½x6½ hardcover [8/2009] for $26.31 Book 2 "The Magician King" fantasy novel [2011] by Lev Grossman Quentin & Julia set off on a quest in Fillory only to find themselves back in the Earth world . . . Kindle Edition from Penguin Books [8/2011] for $11.99 Penguin Books 8¼x5½ pb [5/2012] for $11.92 Viking 9½x6½ hardcover [8/2011] for $18.75 Book 3 "The Magician’s Land" fantasy novel [2014] by Lev Grossman A fantastical epic of love and redemption, where Quentin & Plum find themselves on the brink of restoring Fillory at the cost of destroying Earth . . . Kindle Edition from Penguin Books [8/2014] for $11.99 Penguin Books 8¼x5½ pb [6/2015] for $14.59 Viking 9½x6½ hardcover [8/2014] for $25.99 "The Magicians" fantasy novel trilogy Kindle Edition one-click bundle offer page [9/2017] for $36.97 Penguin Books 8½x5½ slipcover pb set [6/2015] 3 books for $33.96 Viking 9¾x6½ slipcover deckle-edge hardcover set [8/2014] 3 books - out of print/used |
"Magicians: Life in the Impossible" [2016] /tt3433160/
follows the trials and triumphs of four professional magicians, both on and off stage, as they pursue the mysterious art of making magic
"The Next Great Magician" TV Series [2016] /tt6039726/
"Mersal" (2017) /tt6485666/
A magician and a doctor attempt to expose the corruption at the heart of India's medical industry.
Director: Atlee Kumar | Stars: Joseph Vijay, Aakshath Das, S.J. Suryah, Kajal Aggarwal
 | "The Great Magic Show" in Spanish [Mexico 2017] participants are: mentalist Neo (Mexico), bald-headed magician from Sabadazo (Mexico), La Maga Keysha, escapista Roy Antoni, illusionista Emir The Show, humorista Rodrigo Tolzen (Chile), hypnotista Aryel Altamar (Argentina), prestidigitador Gustavo Raley (Argentina), and futurista Raul Alegria (Spain) • not listed at IMDb • DVD/Blu-ray not available watch 11/2017 official promo [5:23] online at YouTube |
"Akashic Records of Bastard Magical Instructor" animated comedy 12-episode TV series [Japan 2017] /tt6845846/
The Alzano Empire is home to one of the most distinguished magic schools in the world, where ambitious young students undergo training
to become competent performers - Stars: Josh Grelle, Morgan Laure, Rachael Messer, Monica Rial
"Magic For Humans" podcast series [Netflix 2018-2020] /tt8425308/
Justin Willman performs magic tricks on the street
"Magicians Got Talent" YouTube channel [est. April 2018]
 | Independent YouTube channel derived from clips of magicians appearing on the "America's Got Talent" network TV series [est. 2006]; the popular series has been broadcast for 15 seasons, with several spinoff series as well; the format has four judges (3 for the first 7 seasons) audition pre-approved talent; recent regular judges are Howie Mandel & exec producer Simon Cowell, with the other seats filled by guest judges •
official website •
overall series entry at Wikipedia
"America's Got Talent" network TV series [2006] • series credits at IMDb "America's Got Talent" network TV series [2013] • series credits at IMDb "America's Got Talent" network TV series [2017] • series credits at IMDb "America's Got Talent: The Champions" network TV series [2019] • entry at Wikipedia |
 | "The Secrets of Dinner Table Magic (World's Greatest Magic By The World's Greatest Magicians Series)" [ages 10 & up; June 2020] 90 minutes of close-up tricks demonstrated by Harry Allen, Michael Ammar, Henry Evans, Dan Harlan, Tom Mullica, David Roth, Al Schneider, Johnny Thompson, Gregory Wilson, and Scotty York L&L Publng color DVD [6/2020] for $20.93 |
"Upside-Down Magic" [Disney 2020]
Directed by: Joe Nussbaum, starring Izabela Rose, Siena Agudong, Kyle Howard, Elie Samouhi
http://www.amazon.com/DISNEY-UPSIDE-DOWN-MAGIC-Izabela-Rose/dp/B08GFX5HCF/
"Magic Camp" (2020) /tt3979300/
at the urging of his former mentor and Magic Camp owner Roy Preston, Andy returns as a counselor to the camp of his youth hoping to reignite his career
Director: Mark Waters | Stars: Adam Devine, Jeffrey Tambor, Gillian Jacobs, Nathaniel Logan McIntyre
here on the Wizards, Sorcerers, and Magicians Pages at Spirit of America Bookstore
top of page 1 Ñ short essay Ñ wizards & magicians
top of page 2 Ñ fictional characters Ñ magic props & sets Ñ image gallery Ñ links
top of page 3 Ñ books about magic: 1783 • 1920 • 1960
top of page 4 Ñ books about magic from 2000 Ñ authors Ñ magicians in fiction Ñ stageplays, other media
here on page 5: movies & TV & videos about magic: top of page • 1896 • 1980 • 2010 • 2020
« «
Visiting this webpage from outside the U.S.A.? It is possible to make purchases from these coded Amazon (USA) links
via other Amazon sites: just follow
these instructions.
Online sales in association with 
top of this page • back to Spirit of America Bookstore homepage