Houdini

1953
Approved
1h 46m

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

3.8K

YOUR RATING

Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh in Houdini (1953)

Play trailer2:17

1 Video

25 Photos

Docudrama Biography Drama Romance

From his beginnings as a "wildman" carnival act to the internationally famous feat of escaping from a locked trunk in an ice-jammed river, the great Harry Houdini emerged as the world's most... Read allFrom his beginnings as a "wildman" carnival act to the internationally famous feat of escaping from a locked trunk in an ice-jammed river, the great Harry Houdini emerged as the world's most captivating magician and escape artist.From his beginnings as a "wildman" carnival act to the internationally famous feat of escaping from a locked trunk in an ice-jammed river, the great Harry Houdini emerged as the world's most captivating magician and escape artist.

Director
- George Marshall
Writers
- Philip Yordan
- Harold Kellock
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

3.8K

YOUR RATING

Director
- George Marshall
Writers
- Philip Yordan
- Harold Kellock
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Videos1

Trailer 2:17

Houdini

Photos25

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Houdini

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
A talented amateur magician, Tony Curtis performed most of his own tricks in this film.

Goofs
When the Houdinis and the reporter are being driven to the séance, the same rear projection loop is continually run in the car's back window, repeatedly showing the same background traffic, with the splice where the loop begins plainly visible each time.

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.

Connections
Edited into Magic with the Stars (1982)

Soundtracks
Perpetuum Mobile, Op. 257 (Perpetual Motion)
(uncredited)
Music by Johann Strauss
Played during the straitjacket contest

User reviews45

Featured review

Tony Curtis as the great performer, in a fine film for everyone...

..since he is and has been an amateur magician, Curtis was perfect to portray Houdini, the master magician and above all.. the master escape artist! A beautiful technicolor film that has the atmosphere of vaudeville and showbiz of the day, it invokes the mystery of the great showman's lifestyle and his unusual death on Halloween. Janet Leigh,as Houdini's wife, Bess, adds to the fun... and for those that love magic and magicians, this will satisfy you. The early life, the escapes from ropes, chains and jail cells the world-over, from the icy waters of rivers and lakes, it is all here. Slicked up naturally not so much to educate us, but to entertain.. ...!