They all helped make the film look stylish. The costumes were designed by the great Edith Head ( All About Eve). The gorgeous color cinematography is by Ernest Laszlo ( It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World). Albert Nozaki and Hal Pereira ( Shane and The Greatest Show on Earth) recreate the turn of the century America beautifully. Actor and illusionist had similar backgrounds, so it’s really great casting.
This is the first of five movies made by real-life couple Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Before “Brangelina,” “TomKat” and “Bennifer,” there was “Tonja!” Needless to say, Curtis and Leigh make a wonderful screen couple and the movie takes advantage of their obvious chemistry. Curtis, in particular, is perfect as Houdini. The film also shows Houdini’s later part of his life as a crusader against phony spiritualism. That being said, the film recreates some of Houdini’s more famous accomplishments (kinda) faithfully. As I said before, Yordan’s script plays fast and loose with facts.
Philip Yordan’s ( Broken Lance) screenplay is loosely based on the 1928 book by Harold Kellock. The film was directed by George Marshall ( Destry Rides Again). Houdini does, however, try to capture the essence of the famous artist. This is Hollywood in the 1950s, so I don’t have to tell you that most of the film is fiction. Houdini is, of course, based on the real-life of the legendary escapist artist Harry Houdini, who has become synonymous with escapologism and magic. This George Pal production, shot in spiffy Technicolor, is a joy from beginning to end. There is no subtext, no hidden meaning, no complex visual trickery Houdini aims to entertain you and in that regard the film is a complete success.
“It’ll be the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done.” After many false starts, Houdini realizes his dream of becoming the world’s greatest escapist artist. Bess initially objects to Houdini’s job, but she slowly begins to support her husband’s ambitions. A carny magician, Harry Houdini (Tony Curtis, The Defiant Ones), falls in love with one of his admirers, Bess Rahner (Janet Leigh, Psycho).
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