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Houdini (1953)
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Overview
User Rating:
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Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
2 July 1953 (USA)
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Plot Keywords:
Stunts
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Trial
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Stage Performance
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Debunking
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Skepticism
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NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Are You Ready for Harry Houdini, Action Spy?
(From Cinematical. 27 March 2009, 11:03 AM, PDT)
Summit to develop "Houdini" film. Part Indiana Jones part Sherlock Holmes?
(From Movie Jungle. 27 March 2009)
(From Cinematical. 27 March 2009, 11:03 AM, PDT)
Summit to develop "Houdini" film. Part Indiana Jones part Sherlock Holmes?
(From Movie Jungle. 27 March 2009)
User Reviews:
Super glossy, super fictionalized bio pic...
more (21 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Tony Curtis | ... | Harry Houdini | |
| Janet Leigh | ... | Bess Houdini | |
| Torin Thatcher | ... | Otto (Von Schwager's assistant) | |
| Angela Clarke | ... | Harry's mother | |
| Stefan Schnabel | ... | German Prosecuting Attorney | |
| Ian Wolfe | ... | Malue | |
| Sig Ruman | ... | Schultz | |
| Michael Pate | ... | Dooley (of the London Examiner) | |
| Connie Gilchrist | ... | Mrs. Shultz | |
| Malcolm Lee Beggs | ... | British jail warden | |
| Frank Orth | ... | Mr. Hunter (safe expert) | |
| Barry Bernard | ... | Insp. Marlick | |
| Douglas Spencer | ... | Simms (of the New York Observer) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
106 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Harry Houdini's real name was Weiss, and he is played here by Tony Curtis, whose real name is Schwartz.
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Goofs:
Factual errors: Newspaper editor looks over layout for "whatever happened to Houdini?" article, then assigns a reporter to go out and investigate the story. This is absolutely backwards - a story of such a speculative nature would always be written first, with layout following after the fact.
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Quotes:
Harry Houdini:
I hadn't prepared anything for tonight, but perhaps I have something that will amuse you. So if you'll get a couple of broomsticks, I'll get my wife - and we'll see what we can do.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in Mau Mau Sex Sex (2001)
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Soundtrack:
Waltz from 'The Poet and Peasant Overture'
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (21 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Houdini (1953)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
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| what is the name of he song when the curtain opens 4 underwater trick ? | steel_reign_2020 |
| On DVD yet? | ROBAK |
| Detroit River | daryavaush |
| Name of Hungarian Waltz? | qwiggly |
Recommendations
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The story of master magician Harry Houdini (18741926) becomes a glossy star-vehicle for Tony Curtis in the lead--and though the facts of Houdini's life are lumped right together with the Hollywood dross (as if this movie magazine-styled spread were one big true-life story), one is drawn in by Curtis' apparent commitment to the role. Director George Marshall stages some exciting set-pieces and a nice romance ensues between Tony's Houdini and assistant Bess, played by Curtis' real-life spouse Janet Leigh (doing appealing work). Philip Yordan adapted Harold Kellock's book, and the results are (surprisingly) entertaining despite all the requisite corn and clichés. **1/2 from ****