THE MAGIC OF “Like Magic”

The film features five charming magic performances guaranteed to entertain you:

• Multiplying Coins
• Chains Escape
• Napkins
• The Giant Mistake
• The Transforming Rose

Mark Bennington performs each magical effect live: no special effects are used — an unheard-of practice in this day and age of digital filmmaking!

Comedy Magician Woody Pittman served as our Technical Advisor.

Woody has been working full time as a Comedy Magician for over a decade in venues including the world famous Magic Castle, comedy clubs such as Dangerfields (NYC) and The Improv (LA), and cruise ships for Holland America, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean.

"Pittman draws on audience sympathy as he performs tricks that surprise even him. Pittman is particularly adept at ad-libs with the audience which makes this show a hoot." — The Los Angeles Times.

You can find out more about Woody at his web site, woodypittman.com.

We secured some of our magic gear from Mark and Sheila Cannon, world class escapologists and illusionists.

Mark's escape from the Spiked Cabinet — performed live at The Magic Castle — can be seen on the Like Magic DVD bonus features.

Visit Cannon's Great Escaptes web site for more information about Mark and Sheila's performance schedule.

Woody Pittman invited Mark Bennington, along with Rebecca and Pascal, to attend one of his performances at the Magic Castle To introduce them to the art of magic performance. At the Magic Castle, the trio experienced first-hand the type of magic that Howard performs in Like Magic.

The Magic Castle is the world's most famous club for magicians and magic enthusiasts, and is home to The Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. The Academy takes great pride in showcasing the magnificent building that houses the Magic Castle. Built in 1908, this storied mansion has watched Hollywood grow and change for almost 100 years while never losing its original charm. Find out more at magiccastle.com

Hollywood Magic offers a vast inventory of magic & novelties, and is supplier to the stars! Interested in dipping your fingers in magic? Visit hollywoodmagic.net.

MORE MAGIC

The internet is full of sources of inspiration for any aspiring magician. Here are some of the people and web sites we find most interesting:

Wikipedia — Magic, including the arts of prestidigitation and conjuring, is the art of entertaining an audience by performing illusions that baffle and amaze, often by giving the impression that something impossible has been achieved, almost as if the performer had magic or supernatural powers. Yet, this illusion of magic is created entirely by natural means.

At Wikipedia, you can learn about the history of magic, the different types of illusions, and access references and additional magic links. Read more at wikipedia.com...

Penguin Magic — Penguin Magic does things a little differently than other magic stores. We have a vision of the perfect place to learn to be a magician, and we work everyday to bring that vision to life.

We share your excitement about magic, we love to perform, and we want to see your talent fostered. We have witnessed first hand the kind of personal development that people of all ages experience through magic and performance. This kind of growth gives meaning to the work that we do. Thinking about all of the proud smiles makes it fun to come to work each morning. Visit Penguin Magic...

The Society of American Magicians, founded on May 10, 1902 in Martinka's famous magic shop in New York City, New York, is the oldest and most prestigious magical society in the world. For over a century it has promoted the ideals shared by Kellar, Houdini, Thurston and over 30,000 others world-wide who have held membership in the society. These ideals include the elevation of the Art of Magic, the promotion of harmony among magicians, and the opposition of the unnecessary public exposure of magical effects. Visit the Society of American Magicians...