Houdini (1953 film)

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Houdini
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	George Marshall
Written by	Philip Yordan
Based on	Houdini 1928 novel by Harold Kellock
Produced by	George Pal Berman Swarttz
Starring	Tony Curtis Janet Leigh Torin Thatcher
Cinematography	Ernest Laszlo
Edited by	George Tomasini
Music by	Roy Webb
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	July 2, 1953 (1953-07-02)
Running time	106 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$1.8 million (US)[1]

Houdini is a 1953 American Technicolor biographical film from Paramount Pictures, produced by George Pal and Berman Swarttz, directed by George Marshall, that stars Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. The film's screenplay, based upon the life of magician and escape artist Harry Houdini, was written by Philip Yordan, based on the book Houdini by Harold Kellock. The film's music score was by Roy Webb and the cinematography by Ernest Laszlo. The art direction was by Albert Nozaki and Hal Pereira, and the costume design by Edith Head.

The film's storyline is a fictionalized account of Houdini's life. It details his beginnings as a carnival performer, later as a worker in a safe factory, and finally his international success as a world-renowned escape artist and stage magician. Following the death of his mother, he exposes various fraudulent mediums in the spiritualist movement, while always hoping to make contact with her. The film also follows his love for his wife Bess Houdini and his most dangerous stunts and stage illusions.