Houdini (1953)

TONY'S BEST

FOR ME I THINK THIS IS TONY CURTIS BEST FILM.
THE GREAT HOUDINI IS BY FAR THE BEST TOLD STORY I'VE SEEN.
UPDATED MOVIES OF THE GREAT HOUDINI JUST DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT CHEMISTRY
THEY CAN NEVER GET THE TIME PERIOD RIGHT OR THE LOOK AND FEEL OF IT LIKE THIS MOVE DID.
IF YOU LIKE CLASSIC MOVIE THEN THIS IS ONE FOR YOUR COLLECTION, CHEERS!.
September 6, 2008

Tony Curtis a perfect Houdini

This movie brought back so many memories from years ago when this was a new movie. I was raised in Appleton WISC. as was Harry Houdini, his memoirs and artifacts are in the Harry Houdidn Museum, which was the Masonic Temple when I was growing up. Corner of Drew and College Ave.
The spark of love between Harry and Bess was very much captured in real life by the actors who brought us Jamie Lee Curtis. I am so glad I finally have this movie as my own. Laurie Baer August 31, 2008

YabaDabaDVD

Okay, the reviews say this is not an accurate depiction of his life, I am not an expert on Houdini so I cannot agree or disagree to that point but I like this movie, it's entertaining and I will watch it every so often so a wave of my magic wand and make those bad critics disappear. August 31, 2008

Finally, it came out on dvd!

I have absolutely loved this movie since I was a little girl. It is one of the most entertaining biographical movies ever. Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh are sizzling in their roles as Harry and Bess. A must have for vintage movie collectors. August 30, 2008

One of Tony Curtis' favorite portrayals. . .

Glossy and very Hollywood, HOUDINI has finally appeared on DVD courtesy of the good folks at Legend Films, who have signed a licensing agreement for Paramount releases which have, so far, not seen the light of day on DVD. Mr. Curtis has said many times that it's one of his favorite films, and perhaps some of that is because he and Janet Leigh were so much in love at the time. This George Pal (WAR OF THE WORLDS, THE TIME MACHINE) production is very much of its time (1953), and a classic of the Old Hollywood studio system. Production values are top notch, Edith Head did the costuming, the Technicolor still looks pretty good for a fifty-year-old film, Ernest Laszlo's cinematography is bright and exciting, and the makeup department put long, thick lashes on both Leigh and Curtis (although Wally Westmore aged Tony by putting what looks like white shoe polish on the sides of his head. Huh?). Like I said, very Hollywood, and lots of fun.

The reconstruction of some of Houdini's most famous illusions and escapes is meticulous, but preserves his secrets. Thanks, George.

The transfer to DVD is full-frame, as the film was released 1:37 to 1 (remember, this was just before Cinemascope). The sound is crisp and clear, and Legend has also included the original trailer for HOUDINI.

Thanks to Legend for opening the Paramount vaults for HOUDINI and other films which need to see DVD release. And, if you are so inclined, drop them a line at their website to let them know which titles you have purchased and a few encouraging words. This Paramount licensing program is a toe in the water, and if they see enough sales, more DVDs will flow from those vaults. Thanks, Legend Films! August 24, 2008

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