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What are magic assistants? Are they simply uneducated bimbos parading around in skimpy polyester clothes? Or is there more to these women than meets the eye? Why does the violence against females in magic illusions continue to fascinate us? What are the origins of violence in magic?
(This is from the film's promotional material, rest assured I would never think a magician's assistant is an uneducated bimbo, Pam-Anderson-in-Vegas nonwithstanding. You don't trust your body parts to a man with a saw or knives just because you can't find another job.)
Women in Boxes is the first film to uncover the story of the Unsung Hero behind the magician. The devoted, if not masochistic Magic Assistant who distorts her body into impossible positions while the magician cuts her in pieces, stabs her incessantly, sets her on fire, crushes her, dismembers her, restores her to life with a dramatic Taa Daa and takes a bow to wild applause. Who is the woman who would subject herself to such torture, not to mention, the Magician's Ego?
Ever see "The Hypnotic Eye"? Now there's a woman!
Heretofore sworn to secrecy, this tough yet feminine group opened their homes, hearts and lives for the filmmakers and revealed the intensity of their involvement, their indispensability to the man in the spotlight; their back-breaking workload, and the reasons behind their devotion to this painful art and to the men they serve.
What about Marlene Dietrich entrusting those gams to Orson Welles? Rumor has it that Columbia wouldn't let Rita Hayworth take the risk ... did they know something we didn't?
In seeking out the greatest magic acts of the past 20th century, Women in Boxes went on a quest and hit gold in the untold lives of its main characters: Deanna Shimada, Coral Reveen, Pam Thompson, Stacy Jones, Luna Shimada, Moi Yo Miller, Frances Willard, Irene Larsen, Gay Blackstone and other amazing women who gracefully survived the tenuous life of the traveling performer.
Women in Boxes was directed by Harry Pallenberg and Phil Noyes and written by Blaire Baron Larsen. The film was produced by the team of Phil Noyes, Harry Pallenberg, Blaire Baron Larsen and Dante Larsen.
Check out the trailer, a photo gallery, and more here.
Women in Boxes
Sunday, July 27th, 5pm, at the Sunset 5,
(part of the Dances With Films Festival)
Wednesday, July 30th, 5pm, at the Fairfax Regency
(in the West Hollywood International Film Fest.)
*Please call before attending the Sunday show as it may have sold out.
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Umm, ohhh, I mis-read the title. Umm, never mind.
Switch a couple words around Elise?
Naughty, naughty!
I'm going to have to look for "The Hypnotic Eye". From the review posted it sounds like it might be kind of Roger Cormanish. I love those old campy 50's horror flix.
JRB, you MUST! I used to have viewing parties JUST to show that movie. It's incredible and - as if you needed more - stars Allison Hayes, aka the 50 Foot Woman!
I looked for "The Hypnotic Eye" at Central Library's dvd section. No luck. I did run across a very campy b/w Mexican horror movie titled, "The Skeleton of Ms. Morales". English subtitles.
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B000JMK6XK
More of a dark comedy, the story takes a couple of unexpected twists. One of the funnier subplots is Mr Morales' love of a good steak which his wife never lets him enjoy. The movie leads one to believe that Mr. Morales and his house keeper are having a love affair. One day Ms Morales leaves the house to visit with her church group, Mr. Morales rushes upstairs to the housekeeper, they look longingly into each other's eyes;
Mr. Morales says; "Now is our chance!"
The house keeper; "Yes! Anything you desire!"
Mr Morales; "Could you make me a nice thick steak!"