That Old Houdini Magic - Episodes

#5205-62 That Old Houdini Magic
Written by Jina Bacarr

Synopsis:
Jem and the Holograms have been invited to play at Mrs. Farnsworth's charity ball. Everyone attenting the ball will wear costumes from Houdinis time, and all the proceeds will go to the childrens hospital for a new wing. Astral, one of the top young magicians of the country, will perform at the ball. The Stingers have also offered to play at the benefit, and they aren't about to give up at Mrs. Farnsworth's rejection, so Rapture takes the part of the host body of Houdini's return.

Characters:
Jem and the Holograms, The Stingers, Astral, Techrat, Starlight Girls (Ashley, Ba Nee, Krissie), Mr. Farnsworth.

Focus on:
Astral, Rapture, Mrs. Farnsworth.

Locations & vehicles:
Mrs. Farnsworth's mansion, fashion store, Mrs. Farnsworth's car, Starlight mansion, Techrat's Rathole.

First appearance of:
Astral.

Songs:
"She's Got The Power" Jem and the Holograms
"Mind Games" The Stingers
"Believe/Don't Believe" The Stingers/Jem and the Holograms

Instrumentals:
"I'm Okay" by Kimber and Stormer, "Take It Or Leave It" by the Stingers, "Destiny" by the Stingers, "Bad Influence" by Jem and the Holograms/The Misfits, "It's Fun To Be Scared" by Jem and the Holograms, "It Could Be You" by Jem and the Holograms.

Genres:
Humor, Action, Message.

Original airdate:
15 February 1988.

Releases:
Released on DVD.

International:
Italy: Aired on TV. The episode title was "Il Ritorno Di Houdini" (The return of Houdini).
France: Aired on TV. Released on DVD. The episode title was "Le cher Oudini" (Dear Houdini).
UK: Aired on TV.

Trivia:
This episode was meant to introduce Hasbro's new doll Astral, but the doll got cancelled when the Jem doll line was cancelled.

This is the second episode about magic, the previous one was "Music Is Magic". And also here Kimber has her own magician name, but slightly changed to "Kimberdini".

We get to learn some interesting facts about Harry Houdini.

Astral's teacher was a student of Houdini. Astral has performed magic since she was a little girl.

In the music video of "She's Got The Power" by Jem and the Holograms, we see that Astral had the same haircolor and style even as a child.

Riot thinks the Stingers is probably the best rockband of the 20th century.

Mrs. Farnsworth is another person except for Jerrica, who doesn't fall for Riots charm.

When the Stingers are shopping clothes with Mrs. Farnsworth, we see some of the dresses worn in the episode "Mardi Gras" which otherwise never appeared in any other episodes.

Techrat doesn't mind when Minx touches him, he even takes her hand in his.

The line from Transformers: "more than meets the eye", is in the lyrics of the song "Believe/Don't Believe" by Jem and the Holograms/the Stingers. Then again, the two series share the same song writers.

Spoiler: Rapture actually admits that she put on a hoax this time.

The song "She's Got The Power" by Jem and the Holograms is re-used. Previously appeared in the episode "The Battle Of The Bands".