talkmagic.co.uk

In case you have missed it, tonight at 8pm, BBC2 are showing the Houdini Movie Death Deffying acts, staring Guy Pierce, and Catherine Zeta Jones.
The story takes liberties with Biographical truth, but it is set in Scotland, at the time Houdini was touring his spirit busting show, so, it should make entertaining viewing.
Its definatly a viewing treat for us, as the 12 days draw to a close once again.

D.

It wasnt a bad movie. Quite enjoyable actually. However the plot, was total bolox. Did the writers do ANY research?

Houdini's punch, according to them, happened on the steps of a railway station in Canada. where he died! What nonsence.
And they had Houdini sitting in a pub in Scotland, drinking pints.

He was tee total.

Like i say, A very enjoyable movie which would of been more enjoyable, if the character had not been Houdini.

I recorded it to watch later. Worth watching?

Oh yes, well worth watching, as the basic plot line, is a story about Houdini's search for a genuine medium.
there is a glorious scene where Zeta Jones, dressed in a bizzare eastern belly dancers outfit, shimmys and shakes, before contacting the spirit of a punters wife. She then materializes his lost watch, with teh help of back stage staff, and her blacked up Daughter.

All guff, but entertaining guff never the less.

Started reasonably well but soon went off track and kept going! The writers obviously thought they could jigger with the known facts as well as write in the fictitious relationship between H and 'Me Mam'. The fictitious bit is fine but history shows that Houdini was punched by a student several times in the dressing room backstage in Montreal but didn't die until he arrived in Detroit some days afterwards rather than only moments later on the steps of the Theatre! As for it being a 'flame haired angel at 12 noon' - nice touch but would have been better in a different story. C Z-J was OK but the Scots accent kept slipping into something more Welsh (naturally!) at times. For once they got Houdini's curly hair almost right but the voice was nothing like his slightly Germanic tones. It would have all worked if they'd depicted a fictitious performer instead of trying to make out it was Houdini. As a co-production between Film Finance Australia and BBC films it was nothing to be proud of and both stars might need to chalk this one down to the 'a good idea to start with but that's about all' category.

Thanks for posting the thread, Dale.
I forgot to record it, but caught it on iPlayer and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'd have missed it completely if you hadn't mentioned it though. Cheers.

As with most films, artistic licence (though I agree it's often taken too far) played a large role but for me it didn't detract. From the little I know about Houdini I saw some issues with the plot but still thoroughly enjoyed it.

It is a very pleasant, entertaining film. But so not look for truth. Just relax and enjoy it guys.
Even my wife watched it and she won't watch many magicians in action.It's, often your lack of stagecraft & presentation guys!
Alan Shaxon & the late, great Victor Burnett were her great exceptions.

BUT did you dig the SIZE of the Water Torture Cell??
BIG enough , or nearly,to accomodate a dozen magicians.

And can you see Bess allowing Mr.H near any attractive woman?
She guarded him more than Beryl guarded George Formby or Stella guarded Frankie Vaughan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Allen Tipton

i know what your saying about the size of that cell. You could use it to house basking sharks.

And your also right about Bess. She had to protect her interests, since her claim to fame and soul source of income, was always going to be Mrs Houdini.
A bit like 99% of the people in the big brother house.

but i believe that there is some small substance in H.H having a fling in scotland.

I remember reading this, ( lord knows where) when the film was being made.However, who ever it was, she didnt live in a graveyard, and communicate with the dead! Nor, would she of looked like HH's mother..
She was about as far removed from Zeta Jones as you could possibly get.