Stuart Damon dies at age 84

Actor Stuart Damon has died at age 84. While Damon is best known for his roles on TV's General Hospital and The Champions, we know him as Houdini in the 1966 London stage musical Man of Magic.

You can read more about the life and career of Stuart Damon HERE. Check out the below links for more about Man of Magic.

Related:

• The first Houdini stage musical, MAN OF MAGIC
• A reader remembers 'Man of Magic'
• 'Man of Magic' to be released as limited edition CD

'Man of Magic' to be released as limited edition CD

Here's one I never expected to see! Stage Door in the UK will release the original cast recording of the 1966 London stage musical Man of Magic as a limited edition CD on December 13, 2019. Below are details.

Continuing Stage Door's 'Cast Album Masters Series' is the CD debut of the 'Man Of Magic' Original London Cast Recording. Based on the life of iconic magician and escapologist Harry Houdini, 'Man Of Magic' opened at London's Piccadilly Theatre on November 15th 1966 and ran for 135 performance. 

Featuring music by Wilfred Wylam (a pseudonym for classical composer Wilfred Josephs) and book and lyrics by John Morley and Aubrey Cash, the production starred Stuart Damon as Houdini alongside Judith Bruce as Bess and Stubby Kaye as Toby Kester. Produced by legendary theatre impresario Harold Fielding, the production received mixed reviews and failed to achieve the acclaim of his earlier successes 'Half A Sixpence' and 'Charlie Girl'. Despite the lukewarm critical response to 'Man Of Magic', the production was noted for its elaborate recreations of Houdini's illusions and the performances of its leading players Stuart Damon, Judith Bruce and Stubby Kaye. 

Although 'Man Of Magic' marked Wilfred Josephs' only work for musical theatre, there is much to be enjoyed in his distinctive and immediate score, not least the rousing duet 'Conquer The World', 'Suddenly' and the comedy numbers 'Take Your Medicine' and 'Kester's Crystal Cabbage'. 

The limited edition 500 unit only release of 'Man Of Magic' continues Stage Door's 'Cast Album Masters Series'. Licensing recordings from the major labels, the series presents the CD debut of many London Cast Recordings from the 1960s and 1970s, all digitally remastered from the studio master tapes.

You can hear song samples and pre-order at the Stage Door website. It's also available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Thanks to Michael Mitnick for the alert.

Related:

• The first Houdini stage musical, MAN OF MAGIC
• The music of Man of Magic
• A reader remembers 'Man of Magic'

A reader remembers 'Man of Magic'

For those still grieving the loss of the Houdini Broadway musical, here's a taste of what could have been. Man of Magic was a lavish Houdini musical that played London's West End in 1966. It starred Stuart Damon as Houdini, Judith Bruce as Bess, and Stubby Kay as Houdini's manager. It closed after 126 performances.

A reader, Alan, recently left this wonderful comment about his experience seeing the musical when he was a boy:

"I saw this show in London for my 13th birthday. That's a long time ago now. I had a copy of the original cast recording which I foolishly sold a long time ago. I came across this site while searching for a replacement.

I still have vivid memories of this production. It opened, as far as I can remember, with a spotlight shining through the gauze curtain, which I think was painted to resemble a Victorian theatre safety curtain, to reveal Stuart Damon as Harry releasing himself from handcuffs and chains.

My other vivid memory is of the Brooklyn Bridge scene. As far as I recall the scene started with the cast portraying a crowd of onlookers on the bridge itself then just before Houdini is hoisted in the air some stage hands came onstage from the wings holding large spotlights that they pointed directly at the audience. While being blinded for a few seconds the stage was transformed to reveal the large model of the bridge populated with small puppet people and carriages and the puppet Houdini performing his escape suspended form the bridge. I remember the puppet actually shedding his straitjacket. The whole scene was a wonderful feat of stagecraft for the time.

My other memory is of the Chinese water torture. I remember noticing how the switch was made when Timothy Dill-Russell took the place of Stuart Damon. Chorus girls came on stage with Chinese screens and crossed back and forth across the stage. On one of these passes, Timothy Dill-Russell swopped places with Damon and Damon went off stage behind the screen. Because Timothy Dill-Russell was then hauled upside down to be lowered into the tank it was easy to disguise the fact that it was a different man. It’s difficult to recognise someone when there face is upside down!

Just seeing a Broadway icon like Stubby Kay live on stage was also so memorable.

Having owned the cast LP, the tracks you have posted seem really familiar even though I haven’t head them for maybe 30 years. Thanks for bringing back fond memories."

-Alan

I originally posted these musical clips from the Man of Magic LP individually last year. But as they nicely compliment Alan's memories, here they are collected together for your musical enjoyment.

Eat your heart out, Hugh Jackman!

Thank you Alan for sharing your memories.

Related:

• The first Houdini stage musical, MAN OF MAGIC
• Man of Magic takes the stage
• New York Times: What went wrong with Broadway's Houdini musical

Man of Magic - Conquer the World

Here's the grand finale of our 3-day journey into Houdini musical theater with a final selection from the 1966 London stage musical, Man of Magic. The lavish production starred Stuart Damon as Houdini, Judith Bruce as Bess, with a book and lyrics by John Morley and Aubrey Cash, and music by Wilfred Wylam. The show closed after 126 performances at London's Piccadilly Theater.

This song closes out the first side of the LP (and presumably the first act) and features Harry and Bess vowing to "Conquer the World." In the clip below you'll see some of the props created for the show by Abbott's Magic Co., including the Water Torture Cell. The escape was performed on stage by Timothy Dill-Russell doubling Stuart Damon.

Thanks to Ron South for digitalizing my Man of Magic LP. Check out Ron's blog devoted to the rock band Journey, Wheel In The Sky.

Man of Magic - The Floral Sisters

Here's another selection of rare music from the 1966 London stage musical, Man of Magic, starring Stuart Damon as Houdini, Judith Bruce as Bess, with a book and lyrics by John Morley and Aubrey Cash, and music by Wilfred Wylam. This early song and dance number showcases the "Floral Sisters."

In the play, the Floral Sisters are made up of Bess and Maggie (Gaye Brown) and are managed by Stubby Kaye's character, Toby Kester. It's while performing as a Floral Sister that Harry first sees Bess. Toby later manages Houdini himself.

What I love about this is The Floral Sisters were, in fact, real. Bessie joined the troop in Coney Island and it was there she met Houdini who was performing with Theo as The Brothers Houdini in 1894. It's wild to think that this obscure sideshow act would one day be portrayed on the London stage in an lavish musical. I wonder if any of the real Floral Sisters (or their children) lived to hear this musical number or see the play?

Anyway, enjoy the gals from the Bowery by way of Piccadilly. Ladies and gentleman, The Floral Sisters!

Tomorrow we conclude our musical adventure as Harry and Bess Conquer the World!

Thanks to Ron South for digitalizing my Man of Magic LP. Check out Ron's blog devoted to the rock band Journey, Wheel In The Sky.

The music of Man of Magic

Upset that we won't be getting the Houdini Broadway musical this year? Never fear! I've got your Houdini musical right here!

Man of Magic was produced by Harold Fielding and opened at London's Piccadilly Theater on November 16, 1966. The production starred Stuart Damon as Houdini, Judith Bruce as Bess, and Stubby Kaye as Houdini's (fictional) manager, Toby Kester. The book and lyrics were by John Morley and Aubrey Cash, with music by Wilfred Wylam. The show closed after only 126 performances. Most critics felt that the production values were strong, but the music was weak.

Now I can bring you a selection of music from this long forgotten musical and you can judge for yourself. Below is the opening musical number, Man of Magic.

Tomorrow our Houdini musical adventure continues with a little song and dance from those gregarious gals from Coney Island -- The Floral Sisters!

Thanks to Ron South for digitalizing my Man of Magic LP. Check out Ron's blog devoted to the rock band Journey, Wheel In The Sky.

Man of Magic takes the stage

Here are a few terrific photos of Stuart Damon and Judith Bruce as Harry and Bess Houdini in the London stage musical, Man of Magic. The lavish production was produced by Harold Fielding and opened at London's Piccadilly Theater on November 16, 1966.

Over the next few days I will share some of the original music from this long forgotten show exclusively here on WILD ABOUT HARRY. So check back tomorrow to enjoy The music of Man of Magic.

Photos taken by Tom Hustler and featured in the souvenir Man of Magic Picture Book.

Click here to read more about Harold Fielding's Man of Magic.

The first Houdini stage musical, MAN OF MAGIC

With the big news this week of a new Houdini Broadway musical with Hugh Jackman, I thought it would be fun to take a look back at the first big-budget Houdini stage musical, Man of Magic.

Man of Magic was produced by Harold Fielding and opened at London's Piccadilly Theater on November 16, 1966. The £75,000 production starred Stuart Damon as Houdini, Judith Bruce as Bess, and Stubby Kay as Houdini's fictional manager, Toby Kester. It was described as "a musical fantasy suggested by incidents in the life of Harry Houdini."

Magic and escape effects where devised by Timothy Dill-Russell, and included Metamorphosis, the Needles, a buzz saw, three floating woman at once (in a dance routine), and the Chinese Water Torture Cell with Dill-Russell doubling Damon (Houdini fails to escape, as required by the plot).

Reading back on the reviews, it's clear that the highlight of the show was Houdini's suspended straitjacket escape from the Brooklyn Bridge, which was staged using elaborate puppetry by Bill Baird and the Hogarth Puppets. Even Variety, in a generally tepid review of the play, praised the sequence for its "novelty and ingenuity."

Book and lyrics for Man or Magic were by John Morley and Aubrey Cash, with music by Wilfred Wylam. The show included sixteen songs with names like; Floral Sisters, Man in the Crowd, Fantabulous, The Man Who Captures My Heart, Suddenly, Sling the Gin, Conquer the World, Take Your Medicine, Like No Other Man, Don't Bother Me Bub, The Earth is the Lord's, Keep a Good Man Down, Man of Magic, This He Knows, and Say Your Name.

Man of Magic was lavish production that generated lots of press and merchandise (such as the soundtrack LP and Picture Book program seen here). The play was well received in magic circles, with The Linking Ring enthusing, "Man of Magic is a credit to Magic. Let us see that our magic is a credit to Man of Magic." However, theater critics universally panned the music.

Man of Magic closed after only 126 performances. Bill Larsen reported in Genii that there was "talk about it being made into an English movie", but this never happened.

Original Man of Magic soundtrack LP

Click here to enjoy 'The music of Man of Magic'.

Also see: Houdini A Circus Opera (1977)

The women who have played Bess

We end our special weekend long Bess Houdini birthday celebration with a look at how the great lady has been immortalized on stage and in film. Here are seven actresses who brought our Bessie back to life.

Janet Leigh

Janet Leigh (Houdini, 1953): What can one say about Janet Leigh, other than she was every bit as glamours as her co-star and real-life husband, Tony Curtis, and that's saying something! But did she make a good Bess? Well, for starters, Janet Leigh is a blond-haired, blue-eyed, curvaceous bombshell. The real Bess Houdini had dark hair, dark eyes, and was unusually small and slight of build. But, hey, the 1953 HOUDINI was hardly a biography that sought realism. Instead, this much-loved movie strove to capture the drama and glamour of the Houdini-Bessie story (and make no mistake, the movie is as much about her and him), and in that sense Janet Leigh is a perfect Bess.

When asked about the real Bess in a 1995 interview in MAGIC magazine, Janet Leigh said, "I think she was strong. Completely believing in him and helping in all ways. She obviously truly loved him. It was a great love story, as far as I could determine. At least that's what we tried to make it."

Judith Bruce (Man of Magic, 1966): Judith Bruce played Bess in the 1966 London stage musical, Man of Magic, where she received equal billing with leading men Stuart Damon (Houdini) and Stubby Kay. Bruce appears to have been one of the few highlights of the production, which closed after only 135 performances. Said one review: "At least Man Of Magic provides an opportunity to enjoy Judith (previously Judy) Bruce, one of the lost stars of the British musical theatre, understudied in the show by her sister Lucy Winters. Bruce, who during rehearsal balked at some of the frightening stunts she was asked to participate in (Fielding pooh-poohed her objections, but demurred after taking her place under a giant sawing pendulum) has a glass-edged attack in her opening number 'Floral Sisters' (with a sassy Gaye Brown), and brings her rare quality to everything she does, even if her three solos are unworthy of her."

Sally Struthers

Sally Struthers (The Great Houdinis, 1976): As much as I love Janet Leigh, I actually think Sally Struthers delivered the best performance as Bess, and probably came as close to capturing the real woman as we will ever get. Struthers seemed to embody the eerie combination of little girl and dark woman that Bess Houdini really was. This is because a better picture of Bess was starting to emerge in 1976. So in The Great Houdinis, we get a strong-willed, showbiz savvy Bess, dealing with always being the second most important woman in her husband's life. Along the way she develops a taste for alcohol and throws out more than a few curse words. Check. And while it’s up for debate how much open tension (if any) existed between Bess and Mama, I think anyone who knew Bessie Houdini would recognize her in Sally Struthers. It's a strong performance and an honest and empathetic tribute. And as Minnie says at the end of the film, "I believe the son-of-a-bitch loved her."

Viviane Thomas

Viviane Thomas (Houdini - A Circus Opera, 1979): Viviane Thomas played Bess when the Dutch production, Houdini - A Circus Opera, when it had it's U.S. debut at the Aspen Music festival in August 1979. Unfortunately, the reviews didn't have much to say about Thomas, instead they focused on Houdini, who was played by three different actors in the course of the evening; tenor Jerold Norman, dancer Daniel Lordon, and escape artist Mark Mazzarella (only 19 at the time). It is noted that at the end Bess gets to sing a dramatic solo number to her husband's departed spirit, saying that "Death is the door from which you will never escape." Door? They couldn't come up with a better metaphor than Door? Maybe something was lost in the translation. Jenny Veeninga played Bess in the original Dutch production in 1977.

Stacey Edwards

Stacy Edwards (Houdini, 1998): Each actress who has played Bess needs to accommodated themselves to the tone of the film, and I think Edwards does this marvelously in TNT's HOUDINI. Edwards gets to play both the sunny-sided Janet Leigh version as well as the later more tormented Sally Struthers take. But what Edwards brings that Struthers and Leigh didn't was a Bess who has showbiz ambitions of her own. Suppressing these dreams become part of her inner demons. That's a new aspect to Bess's character that could indeed be an accurate new insight.

Performance wise, Edwards is superb. She especially knocks it out of the park during the final scenes when Houdini comes back to her (or does he?). In abilities, Janet Leigh and Sally Struthers matched the actors who played their more famous husband (no small task when considering the charisma and acting chops of Tony Curtis and Paul Michael Glaser). But in Stacy Edwards' case, I believe she's the first Bess to surpass her Harry.

Kim Lores

Kim Lores (The Great Houdini, 1999): Chicago native Kim Lores played Bess on stage in the 1999 London Theater Works production of The Great Houdini with the great Jim Bentley. Lores and Bentley recreated several Houdini effects during the course of the show, including, as you can see on the right, Metamorphosis.

This was one I was fortunate enough to see when it played The Stella Adler Theater in Hollywood. From what I recall, the attractive Ms. Lores did a terrific job as Bess. In fact, I think by the time the evening ended, I had developed a Janet Leigh-level crush on her. How could I not? She was Bess!

Mystery Bess

Unknown actress (Death Defying Acts, 2008): While Bess does not appear in the latest Houdini movie, Death Defying Acts, her photograph does. Oddly enough, the filmmakers elected to use a photo of an unknown actress instead of a photo of the real Bess. So who is this mystery Bess? Afraid I don't have the answer. Do you?

My apologies to any other actresses who didn't make the list. These are the performances that I'm familiar with, but I'm certain there are scores of other Bessie's out there, particularly on stage. Please feel free to post any missed names and performance in my Comments.

This weekend we are Wild About Bess.

UPDATE:

Kristen Connolly

Kristen Connolly (Houdini, 2014): The latest actress to play Bess is Kristen Connolly who starred in the 2014 Houdini miniseries opposite Adrian Brody. Connolly is a beautiful and talented actress who had to work against screenwriter Nicholas Meyer's surprisingly chauvinistic script which presents Bess as ill-tempered and dim. Much is also made of Bess' pot-smoking and alcohol use in this dramatization, and at one point the filmmakers wanted to make her Irish (!). Despite this, Connolly is still able to shine, and in full costume and makeup, she truly channels Bess Houdini.