Classic Magic appears at old time theater

June 17, 2009 - PRLog -- The Jules Verne Film Festival and the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation presented The Magic of Tony Curtis at the Million Dollar Theater on June 13, 2009.  
 
The event featured screenings of two Curtis films, "Houdini" and "Some Like It Hot," and a dinner with Curtis at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, where Houdini himself was a member. An after-party followed at the Edison Downtown Los Angeles.

The red carpet arrivals included Tony Curtis in a 1940’ classic Ford car and escape artist Curtis Lovell II (the opening act for the festival) arrived in style in a 1930’s car. Also, the classic style cars delivered the president of Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation.
 
Modern day escape artist Curtis Lovell II paid tribute to Tony Curtis and his lifelong hero Houdini by performing a water torture cell escape, similar to the one that Tony Curtis performed in the movie "Houdini."

Lovell was locked inside a tank of 53.5 gallons of water. Officer J. Evans examined Lovell and handcuffed him. It took Lovell over two breathless minutes to make his escape.

"I have performed this death-defying stunt several times, but nothing was scarier than having the man I admire watching me," Lovell said, moments after the water escape.  "He played my hero -- Houdini -- after all.  But I stayed focused and I was able to twist my fingers and hands to slip out of the cuffs and escape from the tank.” 

Another magical moment followed when Tony Curtis thanked Lovell, flirted with his lovely assistants on stage and answered questions prior to the screening of the movie Houdini.

Guests of Tony Curtis and other V.I.P.’s magically appeared at the LA Athletic Club for a champagne reception. Once assembled there, Tony Curtis switched roles from the one he made famous in the movie "Houdini" by strapping escape artist Lovell into a straitjacket.  Lovell took only a minute and a half to pull the straitjacket over his sweaty head as 150 dinner guests were watching.
 
“You are one of the very few that has the ability to escape from a straitjacket with such beauty.” Tony Curtis  said with his blue eyes wide open. 
   
Lovell stated he will keep the signed straitjacket as a memento of the day.

After Curtis signed hundreds of his books, guests returned to the Million Dollar Theater, where Tony Curtis accepted the Jules Verne Legendaire Award before a screening of "Some Like It Hot."   Curtis shared a few stories about Marlyn Monroe and the classic 1950’s Hollywood lifestyle.

The magical evening ended with guests at the Edison for an after-party that celebrated Tony Curtis’ 84th birthday and 50th anniversary of Some Like it Hot. 

FOR COMPLETE SERIES OF HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS VISIT:
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Photos by: Rick Duncan
Exclusive  photos available on request


More information please visit:
www.CurtisLovell.com
www.TonyCurtis.com
www.julesverne.org  

Media Relations:
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More info on Lovell:

Lovell cut Paris Hilton in half on the television show The Simple Life and demonstrated how to escape from handcuffs on Spike TV’s Manswers. He has publicly challenged noted psychic John Edward to a magic duel. Lovell also appeared on the USA network Road Characters, on which he presented his Cube of Death. In 2008 in the city of Grand Terrace, he was buried alive on Halloween and escaped in 16 minutes. Lovell starred in the instructional DVD, POOF! You're a magician ~Learn magic with everyday objects, which can be found at major online retailers including Barnes&Noble.com and POOFyoureamagician.com.

Lovell was raised in Columbus, Ohio, where he attended Columbus Public Schools and Columbus State Community College. He now resides in Los Angeles, California, living his childhood dream as an escape artist.

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