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IMDbPro

Houdini

  • 19531953
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh in Houdini (1953)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:17
1 Video
25 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
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.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • George Marshall
  • Writers
    • Philip Yordan(screenplay)
    • Harold Kellock(book)
  • Stars
    • Tony Curtis
    • Janet Leigh
    • Torin Thatcher
Top credits
  • Director
    • George Marshall
  • Writers
    • Philip Yordan(screenplay)
    • Harold Kellock(book)
  • Stars
    • Tony Curtis
    • Janet Leigh
    • Torin Thatcher
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 42User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Houdini
    Trailer 2:17
    Houdini

    Photos25

    Tony Curtis in Houdini (1953)
    Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh in Houdini (1953)
    Tony Curtis in Houdini (1953)
    Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh in Houdini (1953)
    Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh in Houdini (1953)
    Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh in Houdini (1953)
    Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh in Houdini (1953)
    Tony Curtis in Houdini (1953)
    Tony Curtis in Houdini (1953)
    Tony Curtis in Houdini (1953)
    Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh in Houdini (1953)
    Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh in Houdini (1953)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tony Curtis
    Tony Curtis
    • Harry Houdinias Harry Houdini
    Janet Leigh
    Janet Leigh
    • Bess Houdinias Bess Houdini
    Torin Thatcher
    Torin Thatcher
    • Ottoas Otto
    Angela Clarke
    Angela Clarke
    • Harry's Motheras Harry's Mother
    Stefan Schnabel
    Stefan Schnabel
    • German Prosecuting Attorneyas German Prosecuting Attorney
    Ian Wolfe
    Ian Wolfe
    • Malueas Malue
    Sig Ruman
    Sig Ruman
    • Schultzas Schultz
    Michael Pate
    Michael Pate
    • Dooleyas Dooley
    Connie Gilchrist
    Connie Gilchrist
    • Mrs. Shultzas Mrs. Shultz
    Malcolm Lee Beggs
    • British Jail Wardenas British Jail Warden
    Frank Orth
    Frank Orth
    • Mr. Hunteras Mr. Hunter
    Barry Bernard
    • Insp. Marlickas Insp. Marlick
    Douglas Spencer
    Douglas Spencer
    • Simms - Reporteras Simms - Reporter
    John Alban
    • Restaurant Patronas Restaurant Patron
    • (uncredited)
    John Albright
    • Audience Memberas Audience Member
    • (uncredited)
    Eric Alden
    Eric Alden
    • Sailoras Sailor
    • (uncredited)
    Fred Aldrich
    Fred Aldrich
    • Bounceras Bouncer
    • (uncredited)
    Elsie Ames
    • Entertaineras Entertainer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • George Marshall
    • Writers
      • Philip Yordan(screenplay)
      • Harold Kellock(book)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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 reviews42

    Review
    Top 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.. ...!
    helpful•14
    2
    • JRobert
    • Oct 27, 1998

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 2, 1953 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Houdini, der König des Variete
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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