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Houdini (1953)

Approved | | Biography, Drama | 2 July 1953 (USA)
Houdini Poster
The spectacular but tragically short career of magician and illusionist Harry Houdini whose tricks defied explanation and safety.

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(screenplay), (book)

Stars:

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
... Harry Houdini
... Bess Houdini
... Otto
... Harry's Mother
... German Prosecuting Attorney
... Malue
... Schultz
... Dooley
... Mrs. Shultz
Malcolm Lee Beggs ... British Jail Warden
... Mr. Hunter
Barry Bernard ... Insp. Marlick
... Simms - Reporter
See full cast »
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Storyline

The amazing career of master magician Harry Houdini is presented from his beginnings with a carnival "wild man" act to his emergence as an internationally-acclaimed illusionist, From his dramatic escape from a locked safe under the frozen Detroit River to an even more improbable one from a locked cell in Scotland Yard, he never failed to please and astound his audiences. Although Houdini's tricks are achieved through his marvelous physical dexterity and innate sleight-of-hand, he courted death with the hazardous illusions he performed and his compulsive quest to make contact with the spirit world. Written by duke1029@aol.com

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

magician | escape | illusionist | scotland yard | sideshow | See All (62) »

Taglines:

His feats of magic were GREAT! The magic of their love was GREATER!

Genres:

Biography | Drama

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

2 July 1953 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Houdini le grand magicien  »

Filming Locations:

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Recording)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

'Ernö Verebes'' last film before retirement. See more »

Goofs

There's a revealing jump cut in the authentic sawing-woman-in-half act. See more »

Quotes

Bess Houdini: [to Houdini] Audiences are never satisfied. They love you for th moment you please them.
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Crazy Credits

Although the film is in color, the Paramount logo and both the beginning and end of the film is in black-and-white. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In: Episode #3.26 (1970) See more »

Soundtracks

Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland
(uncredited)
Music by Leo Friedman
Played during the opening credits
Played often in the score as the love theme
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Curtis Gives Another Good Performance
7 October 2006 | by – See all my reviews

Tony Curtis is almost always good in whomever he plays, and he was fascinating in here as the famous magician "Harry Houdini." Curtis had a number of good roles in his prime. Speaking of "prime," Janet Leigh didn't look too bad in her prime, either: a very pretty lady.

I don't know how accurate this biography was, but I do know that this movie should have been longer. I usually say the opposite about films, but in this case, I would like to have seen more details about his life and death. His failure to communicate with dead - Houdini's misguided belief - wasn't discussed much.

I guess there were a couple of more modern-day films on Houdini, but they must not have been anything much since I never heard about them. Too bad, because a good re-make of this movie might be something to see.
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