Magic Apparatus Used in Movies...

Discussions of new films, books, television shows, and media indirectly related to magic and magicians. For example, there may be a book on mnemonics or theatrical technique we should know or at least know about.
I.M. Magician
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Magic Apparatus Used in Movies...

Postby I.M. Magician » June 18th, 2014, 9:03 pm

I thought it would be fun to discuss the movies which made use of magic apparatus.

For example, in HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINI, they used a Rice's Rainbow Streamer.

Have you seen a movie which had any magic apparatus in one of the scenes? It didn't have to be used by someone playing a magician in the movie.

houdinisghost
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Re: Magic Apparatus Used in Movies...

Postby houdinisghost » June 18th, 2014, 9:46 pm

There are two remarkable effect using mirrors in "Darby O'Gill and the Little People."
Francis Coppola points out the use of Pepper's Ghost in his commentary for "the Outsiders."
My personal favorite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA8rrAqip8E

I.M. Magician
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Re: Magic Apparatus Used in Movies...

Postby I.M. Magician » June 18th, 2014, 9:59 pm

That Buster Keaton bit is great!

Excellent contributions! Thanks for getting this thread off to a great start.

Max Maven
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Re: Magic Apparatus Used in Movies...

Postby Max Maven » June 18th, 2014, 10:02 pm

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ib Melchoir in front of an audience at the Magic Castle. He directed the 1964 film The Time Travelers, in which almost all of the special effects were accomplished using magic props. Great fun.

I.M. Magician
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Re: Magic Apparatus Used in Movies...

Postby I.M. Magician » June 18th, 2014, 11:48 pm

Ib Melchoir co-wrote the classic movie REPTILICUS which was on TV this week. A favorite of mine from when I was a kid of seven or eight years old.

The budget for that movie was just $100,000.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Magic Apparatus Used in Movies...

Postby Richard Kaufman » June 19th, 2014, 12:31 am

Lon Chaney, Sr. used Thayer props for a series of posed photos done for his silent film West of Zanzibar. He played a magician called "Phroso." I believe he actually does some magic at the beginning, but they stuff with the Thayer props was done only for publicity shots or cut from the film.
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Brad Jeffers
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Re: Magic Apparatus Used in Movies...

Postby Brad Jeffers » June 19th, 2014, 2:35 am

Richard Green as Bondar, the Master of Ceremonies at the Club Silencio, uses an appearing cane, in David Lynch's Mulholland Drive (2001).

The Club Silencio scene is most notable for Rebekah Del Rio's wonderful performance of "Llorando".

Andrew Martin Portala
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Re: Magic Apparatus Used in Movies...

Postby Andrew Martin Portala » June 19th, 2014, 1:59 pm

Crystal Ball has a rapping hand.

I.M. Magician
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Re: Magic Apparatus Used in Movies...

Postby I.M. Magician » June 19th, 2014, 2:02 pm

The movie HAIRSPRAY has a novelty shop chock full of great jokes, pranks, etc. from the 50's and 60's.

Brad Henderson
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Re: Magic Apparatus Used in Movies...

Postby Brad Henderson » June 19th, 2014, 5:39 pm

Clive barker lord of illusions has several props on display.


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