Houdini | 
 enlarge | Director: George Marshall
Actors: Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh
Studio: Legend Films
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $7.55
You Save: $7.40 (49%)
New (37) Used (8) from $7.55
Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 7121
Format: Color, Ntsc, Closed-captioned
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 107
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: DLF00020D
UPC: 844503000026
EAN: 0844503000026
ASIN: B0016LFUVG
Theatrical Release Date: 1953
Release Date: June 3, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New. Still in Shrink Wrap. Perfect Condition. Satisfaction Guaranteed!
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Tony Curtis will amaze and astound you with one of his best performances as Harry Houdini, "the man of 10,000 tricks." Houdini has nothing up its sleeve, but the charismatic Curtis and Janet Leigh ("Hollywood's Most Exciting Young Lovers," proclaims the film's original trailer, the sole bonus feature on this disc), as Houdini's wife, Bess, levitate this conventional, albeit enormously entertaining 1953 biopic that follows the legendary magician and escape artist from his days as a sideshow attraction to international stardom. Houdini dedicates his life to giving audiences "bigger and bigger thrills," and the film's best scenes recreate Houdini's act and death-defying escapes, including a harrowing plunge into the frozen Detroit River while locked in a trunk. Houdini's fate is well-known, and while the film plays loose with the facts, it does conjure up an eerie foreboding by the time he takes the stage for his final, ill-fated Halloween performance. After Houdini's first strait-jacket escape, an elderly magician urges him, "It's isn't a trick. Drop it. It will make you famous, but it will kill you." At long last available on DVD, Houdini is old fashioned movie magic that's no trick and all treat.--Donald Liebenson
Product Description
Tony Curtis gives a winning performance as the great Houdini, the struggling circus performer who emerged as the world's most captivating magician and escape artist. From his beginnings as a "wild man" carnival act to the internationally famous feat of escaping from a locked trunk in an ice-jammed river, Houdini effectively captures the amazing life and courage of this fascinating man. Also stars the beautiful Janet Leigh as Houdini's supportive wife who lovingly stood by his side throughout his legendary career.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Tony Curtis a perfect Houdini August 31, 2008
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
 YabaDabaDVD August 31, 2008
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.
Finally, it came out on dvd! August 30, 2008
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.
One of Tony Curtis' favorite portrayals. . . August 24, 2008
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!
great August 4, 2008
This video has an intersting story about a magic man. Houndini isn't one of my favorite videos, but it would be up there with my favorites. Reccomended if you're looking for some entertainment.
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