Oscar®-winner Ben Kingsley plays the Great Zamboni, a magician with a mysterious secret. He lives alone with his jaguar, Shadow, in the Spooky House, an old mansion rigged with magic tricks and hidden chambers. In s... more »pite of all the urban legends about the reclusive Zamboni, young orphan Max (Matt Weinberg) believes he can befriend him. His attempts to charm the magician, however, are met with stubborn resistance. As Max and his friends try to uncover the secret of Zamboni?s past, they are harassed by a trio of teenage bullies who work for the town?s eccentric crime queen (Oscar®-winner Mercedes Ruehl). When the bullies chase the kids into the Spooky House on Halloween, a night of hilarious magic and spectacular illusions ensues. In this funny, heartwarming story, Zamboni and Max ultimately discover the power of real magic.« less
Actors:Ben Kingsley, Mercedes Ruehl Director:William Sachs Genres:Kids & Family Sub-Genres:Adventure, Family Films Studio:Studio Works Format:DVD - Color DVD Release Date: 10/28/2003 Release Year: 2003 Run Time: 1hr 46min Screens: Color Number of Discs: 1 SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 1 MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Languages:English See Also:
"I bought Spooky House for my grandchildren ages 4 and 10. We watched it together three times on Thanksgiving. Then they watched it three more times the next day. It is great entertainment and a moving story for everyone. The kid characters are great. Mercedes is a super comedian. Ben is threatening and then loving. Disney wishes they had made this one!"
A Truly Magic, Heartwarming Film
William Ritchie | Washington, DC United States | 11/18/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Produder/Director,William Sachs has crafted a simple storyline and turned it into very charming, funny, and touching tale that is perfect for the whole family.
Ben Kingsley, as Zamboni, "The Spooky Man", turns in a masterful performance in concert with the new, natural, and talented Matt Weinberg as Kingsley's young counterpart and eventual cohort.
Encountering the "bad kids", ably headed by Mercedes Ruehl,
our young group of heroes, lead by Kingsley and Weinberg, send us on a merry chase with magic illusions and a surprise, touching conclusion which wraps up the adventure in a delightful way.
This is a little classic with a big heart that belongs in everyone's video library. And, for once, the price is quite reasonable (for the DVD)."
Spooky House is a must see for the entire family!
Laura Hope | Woodland Hills, CA USA | 11/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Spooky House is magical fun for the entire family. Award winning Ben Kingsley as the 'Great Zamboni' is true to form as is award winning Mercedes Ruehl as the campy 'Boss'. The kids are adorable. The music will keep your toes tapping and your kids dancing. A winner!"
Spooky House
James Robison | Ft Walton Beach Fl | 10/31/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I thought this was a great family film. Ben Kingsly does a fantastic acting job. The story is very moving and a great view for the children. I would recommend this film to any parent with young kids."
Spooky House
Mad L | Pasadena, CA USA | 07/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I found this one while searching for GooseBumps shows for my daughters loved those, I was pleasantly surprised how I got wrapped up in this show, it is not a 'glitzy' as GooseBumps and definatly not a "spooky" show like GooseBumps but rather a pleasant alternative. Its low buget (like GooseBumps) but I'd say more closely resembling SandLot or Never Ending Story (of which I only liked the first one). I found myself wanting to stop but couldn't, I just had to see what happened next, but then having a professional magician as a father most likely helped too.
I deffiantly recommend this for anyone looking for 'nicer' story of a different type, not high budget, not real flashy, not an 'on the edge of your seat' type of movie but just a good alround family show, with a few funny parts here and there.
But if your looking for 'Spooky', 'Scary', 'High Budget', something you would pay at a theator to see, then keep looking (but be sure to bookmark it for a later date!)"