Billy Topit

Mystery Magical Special is an American television special aired on Nickelodeon. Advertised as a Halloween-themed program, the special was originally produced in 1986, but continued air, often multiple times, every October for several years afterward. Primarily, the special was designed to show off the talents of stage magicians Lance Burton and Tina Lenert, as well as capitalise on Marc Summers' then-newfound fame as the host of the game show Double Dare. Shiri Appleby and Jonathan Brandis and Trenton Teigen also appear, and John Astin makes a cameo appearance.

This special program, hosted by renowned magician Lance Burton, explores the life and magic of the great escape artist through his most prized possessions--the Chinese Water Torture Cell, the Milkcan, his straitjackets and handcuffs, and lockpicks that were "key" to his handcuff escapes--all revealed to the public for the first time. HOUDINI also unlocks secrets of the man--brash showman, fierce competitor, loyal son and husband. Interviews include his great-nephew and the last surviving member of his magic troop.

Michael Long, an undercover police officer, is shot while investigating a case and left for dead by his assailants. He is rescued by Wilton Knight, a wealthy, dying millionaire and inventor who arranges life-saving surgery, including a new face and a new identity--that of Michael Knight. Michael is then given a special computerized and indestructible car called the Knight Industries Two Thousand (nicknamed KITT), and a mission: apprehend criminals who are beyond the reach of the law. The series depicts Michael's exploits as he and KITT battle the forces of evil on behalf of the Foundation for Law and Government.

Ed Deline is a strict ex-CIA officer who went from being Head of Security to becoming President of Operations of the Montecito, whose job is to run the day-to-day operations of the casino. Following his departure, former Marine Danny McCoy, Ed's former protégé, becomes the Montecito's new President of Operations.

The DVD is largely a compilation of several Gary Ouellet-produced magic specials, one of which only tangentially features Lance Burton, it nevertheless contains some of the best magic ever shown on TV. The "Hidden Secrets of Magic" special is a look into some of the greatest feats in the history of thearical magic. No, you won't learn the secrets, but you will see them performed by today's masters. Charlotte Pendragon escapes, chained inside a locked crate dumped into a bay. "The Light and Heavy Chest," which the great Robert-Houdin used to stop a war, is featured, and yes, it's the very same chest! But the great jewel is the only video of the famous "Blue Room," in which people visbly vanish and transform as if in a film special effect - only it was what audiences saw live - in the 1860's! This one segment alone, recreated for the L.A. Conference on Magic History in 1996, is worth the price of the DVD.