Catherine Zeta-Jones in her upcoming film Death Defying Act

Catherine Zeta-Jones has cast her magic over a new film based on famous escape artist Harry Houdini.

The actress, who wears a bejewelled, belly-baring outfit in one scene, plays a psychic who has an affair with the magician in the upcoming 1920s biopic Death Defying Acts
Belly-dancing Catherine Zeta-Jones's mesmerising turn in new Houdini film
Mind over matter: Catherine plays a psychic who has an affair with Harry Houdini

She stars alongside former Neighbours actor turned Hollywood star Guy Pearce, who plays Hungarian born Houdini, who is widely regarded as the greatest ever escapologist.

Catherine, who has admitted she has to work hard to stay in shape, proudly puts her curves on display in the film.

She has revealed she keeps svelte by exercising and avoiding her weakness - bread.

The eyes have it: bejewelled Catherine works her charm

Chemistry: Catherine with costar Guy Pearce, who plays the famed escapologist

While in the past she was a "bread girl... I love bread," but now, "I'm just working out and not chomping down what I usually chomp down."

The star, who has two children Dylan, 7, and Carys, 4, to husband Michael Douglas, has long been vocal about Hollywood's obsession with size zero.

"There are many women [who are] maybe a little fragile, and it becomes a huge issue."

Death Defying Acts is expected to be released in the UK later this year.

Catherine Zeta Jones

How Catherine Zeta-Jones's face has changed over the years... for the better

As parenthood, a career and the years take their toll, few of us expect to keep our fresh teenage looks.

But unlike the rest of us, Catherine Zeta-Jones actually appears to have improved with age.

As the guest of honour at the upmarket jeweller Di Modolo Boutique in New York, the Welsh actress demonstrates a polished perfection far removed from the gauche style of her early forays into theatre.

Catherine Zeta-Jones appears to have improved with age, from the 18-year-old West End star (left) to today's Hollywood A-lister (right)

Gone is the bouffant hairstyle of the 18-year-old-given a leading role in the West End musical 42nd Street.

In its place lie shimmering locks. And the teenager's gappy teeth seem transformed into a gleaming Hollywood Smile.

The mother of two, who married Michael Douglas, 63, in 2000, has also banished the mole above her top lip.

Catherine, who regularly appears in the World's Most Beautiful Women lists, denies having plastic surgery

Clever make-up may explain its disappearance - but in LA, where she lives, laser treatment is commonplace.

Miss Zeta Jones, 38, denies plastic surgery.

But, whatever her secret, long gone are the home perm and braces of her schooldays.

Catherine as guest of honour at the upmarket jeweller Di Modolo Boutique in New York

Catherine Zeta Jones

Curvy Catherine

Has the Chicago actress got her assets enchanced ?

Spotted on a Caribbean island Jones seemed to sport a rather fuller figure. Plastic surgeons insist she's gone under the Knife

She has always had an eye catching figure. But strolling along the beach in a bright yellow bikini there seemed more of Catherine Zeta Jones to enjoy than usual.

The actress's breasts seemed to have grown several sizes, leading to speculation she had undergone enhancement surgery.

Experts said her expanding chest showed signs of cosmetic work, especially as she has two children.

Harley street plastic surgeon Apostolos Gaitanis said: "There is a considerable difference in the volume of the breasts. she has put weight on over the years but it looks suspiciously like she has had breast augmentation because the breasts are full and have more volume.

"They look firmer and project to the front. They are very full, which is a sign of a boob job".

Miss Zeta Jones and her husband Michael Douglas are holidaying on a yacht on the Caribbean island of St Barts along with family.

The 37 year old actress was spotted strolling through the streets wearing a black top, white skirt and white cow boy hat, accompanied by her mother pat.

They later returned loaded down with shopping bags. Miss Zeta Jones and her husband also spent some time on the beach together.

The star looked stunning as she walked by the shore in her yellow bikini. Mr Douglas, 62, also plumped for some bright coloured swimwear but did not cut quite a svelte figure as his wife.

Over the years Miss Zeta Jones has fought a constant battle with her fluctuating weight. She previously told how she 'ate for Wales' while pregnant with her first son Dylan, now six, putting on 50 lbs to tip the scales at 13 stone. However while pregnant with her daughter Carys, now three, she cut a slimmer figure because of the rigorous exercise regime she followed to get in shape for the part of murderess Velma Kelly in the movie version of the musical Chicago.

last month she looked to have dropped a couple of dress sizes when she attended an awards ceremony in New York.

In 2001 it was reported that the actress had undergone surgery to her eyelids. The National Enquirer said she had a three hour operation to have them "lifted".

At the time her publicist denied she had had anything done.

Back in 1990, the year before she shot to fame in The Darling Buds of May, Miss Zeta Jones was pictured in publicity shots in a red bikini looking slightly less voluptuous

Catherine Zeta Jones