|
"An enthralling documentary of the man whose performances
left people spellbound, and who brought magic to a new level of
entertainment." -National Media Review Magician and stunt performer Harry Houdini is widely regarded as the greatest escapologist of all time. Although he personally claimed to have been born in Appleton, Wisconsin, April 6, 1874, he actually was born Ehrich Weisz on March 24, 1874, in Hungary. His family immigrated to the U.S. in 1878 and after living briefly in Appleton, they moved to New York City where the young Ehrich became fascinated with the art of trapeze as well as magic and evolved into Harry Houdini. For a while he billed himself as "The King of Cards," but his true fame grew as he experimented and perfected his incredible escape acts. This exceptional biography of the legendary performer features rare photographs and vintage footage from many of his escape performances, and several of his movie appearances; it also explore his life and struggles to make it to the top. Interviews with Houdini's niece, Marie Blood, as well as Houdini experts and famous magicians give true insight into the magician's often-difficult private life. Produced by the Wisconsin Ed. Comm. Board. 08DR/CL IJSCA 30 min. Associated Book: The New Revelation |
|
"Recommended. The "trouble" of the title is the multiple
versions of Merle Oberon's origins. The "official" story that studio
publicists created and promulgated had the star born in far-flung Tasmania,
and raised in India by upper-class godparents. Oberon clung to this fiction
for the rest of her life. The truth came out in a posthumous biography:
Oberon was Anglo-Indian in an era where a mixed-raced background would have
been enough to keep her from starring in British and American films.
Producer Marée Delofski attempts to find the truth hidden in the several
extant persuasive fictions." -EMRO Review The regal and stylish Merle Oberon was one of the biggest movie stars of the 1930s and 1940s. Appearing in over 40 films, she was nominated for Best Actress in The Dark Angel and delivered striking performances in The Scarlet Pimpernel, opposite Leslie Howard, and in Wuthering Heights, opposite Laurence Olivier. Studio publicists said she was born into a wealthy family in Hobart, Tasmania; yet rumor was that the exotic, almond-eyed actress concealed her true past. Using all the elements of an unraveling mystery, this intriguing documentary pursues many stories within the story, looking not only at the controversy surrounding Merle's birthplace and her ethnic origins, but also at the demands on the actress burdened by the Hollywood myth, as well the inter-relatedness of people's lives affected by the made-up story. Produced by Film Australia. 08DR JSCA 55 min. Associated Program: The Scarlet Pimpernel |