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Making The Great Houdinis

12 visible archived posts · 12 preserved total · topic ID 3988

John Cox 19 Mar 2011

This may or may not be of intrest to you Handcuff Kings, but I've always had a bit of a thing for the 1976 TV movie The Great Houdinis and I've been working on uncovering the details of when and where it was filmed. Here's what I found so far. Hope you enjoy.

http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2011/03 ... dinis.html

Mark Lyons 20 Mar 2011

John,
Thanks for posting this.
I enjoyed reading the article. I have never seen the movie as it aired when I was taking night classes in college and it was way before video recorders were available to the general public.
I may search it out if it is as good as you indicate. I was never much of a Sally Struthers fan so I never thought I was missing much. Maybe this film will shed a favorable light on her.
I would like to see a pic of our Pat Culliton doing his thing in the film.

I have a copy of Houdini's death certificate somewhere and believe the decendent's name was written as Harry Houdini. Did Bess ever legally change her name to Bess Houdini? How does her name appear on her deth certificate? Do we know if Houdini changed his name through the legal process or did he just assume and use it, and when?

Also, did Theo ever use his stage name on legal documents and what name was his on death certificate?
My final question is: I have seen the family name spelled out Weisz and Weiss. Is there any valid information that indicates the name was actually spelled with the "Z"?

mark
O--O

John Cox 20 Mar 2011

Well, I think it's good, but most magis don't think nearly as highly of it as I do. Admittedly, a lot of my feelings about it are wrapped in nostalgia, but I freely let my emotions get the better of me.

I believe Houdini did legally change his name to "Harry Handcuff Houdini" in the early 1900s. I've never seen Bessie's death certificate, but her tombstone reads Houdini. Never seen her go by any other (last) name after marriage.

Not sure about Theo., but I expect at some point he also changed his name legally. His tombstone reads "Theo. Hardeen" and his family carried on with the Hardeen name.

The Amazing Michael 20 Mar 2011

It pains me to say this but, I didn't like the Paul Michael Glaser Houdini movie. I do not own a copy of this movie.....I had a chance to get one on vhs (taped off of tv) about 18 years ago but I declined. My magic teacher had a great deal of magic related stuff on tape, Copperfield tv specials, Dick Clark-Mr. Escape performances, all kinds of Houdini specials, the two Houdini movies, you name it....he had it. He wasn't an escape guy, in fact, he didn't do a single escape in his show or even in practice but he had a fondness for the art and he loved the fact that I took such an interest in it. My former teacher past away some years ago, so I no longer have access to these video treasures.....I wish that I had got copies of all the magic/escape stuff when I had the chance. If you want to see the movie, you can watch it (in many parts) here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaEdFAv- ... re=related

BTW, here is a nice photo that has PMG as Houdini in it:

Cheers, Mike D~C/

John Cox 20 Mar 2011

The best copy I've yet found is from Comic Hex:http://www.cosmichex.com/detail.php?f=242

I have a VHS of the 1977 airing. Unfortunately, I've never been able to find a copy of the complete '76 version.

houdinisghost 21 Mar 2011

There were some talented people involved in the production, which Mel Shavelson wrote "as a fiction" and it certainly is.
It's a colorful picture for TV (it had an overseas theatrical release) and producer/writer/director Mel Shavelson brought his love of vaudeville to it. Mel had made the movie "the Seven Little Foys" which starred Bob hope and James Cagney (as George M. Cohan). He also made "Cast a Giant Shadow" about Col. Marcus David, which starred Kirk Douglas, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, and Yul Brynner.
"The Great Houdinis" had a really star-studded cast.
I think I can contribute to the lore about this film.
http://www.houdinisghost.com/shavelson.html
http://www.houdinisghost.com/blackstone.html
http://www.houdinisghost.com/davestevens.html
Patrick Culliton
http://www.houdinisghost.com/

Mark Lyons 21 Mar 2011

Patrick,
Thanks for posting the pics. I bet you were just loving playing Franz and messing with all the props on the set.
It looks like an interesting film and I will concentrate of finding a copy.

The Youtube idea may have to suffice if my efforts produce little results.

I did find my copy of the death certificate and note that the name line reads: Harry Houdini(name changed for stage purposes).
Bess was identified as Beatrice Rahner.

Place of birth indicates Appleton and the informant on record is Theodore Hardeen.

mark
O--O

John Cox 21 Mar 2011

GREAT photos. Thanks, Patrick.

So it did get a theatrical release internationally. Always wondered about that.

Joseph Fox 21 Mar 2011

For those who weren't around or didn't notice it at the time----the "Sleight of Feet" article (In Patrick's 1st link above) - was from TV Guide.

The "reveal" of the Water Torture Cell secret, although not quite correct...cause a HUGE stir in the magic community at the time.

The "reveal" of Houdini's most famous escape...depicted in a public magzine, found in any supermarket!!

Fortunately, like most all public "magic exposes" in the media for the past 100 years...the public has a very short-term memory.

houdinisghost 21 Mar 2011

#10

It was a converted shower stall. The gaff was the one Burling Hull sold plans for for years.
The real Houdini Torture Cell has had its ups and downs, but, it missed being in this one.
No real Houdini props were used in ABC Circle Films "The Great Houdinis" (1976).

MICHAEL LEE 22 Mar 2011

#11

Great info /photos Guys Thanks for posting

ML

John Cox 23 Mar 2011

#12

BTW, yet another announcement of a new Houdini movie in the works (that make 4 this year).

http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2011/03 ... iopic.html