- Houdini wrote, produced and starred in two of his feature films; he wrote a number of treatments – plots for potential productions; and he self-published several of these treatments. *
This post continues a series of posts where I summarize (or share tidbits about) the film treatments he wrote:
- The Marvelous Adventures of Houdini (1917)*
- The Man From Beyond (1921)
- Haldane of the Secret Service or Mysterious Mr. Yu (1921)*
- Frizzo––Master Magician (1921)
- Yar, the Primeval Man (1921)*
- Il Mistero di Osiris or The Mystery of the Jewel (1921)*
- The Great Tontine (unpublished)* [Tom Boldt Collection (TBC)]
- The Monster (unpublished)* [TBC]
- The Vulture (unpublished)* [TBC]
- Floating Through Space (unpublished)* [TBC]
- Blood Brothers (unpublished) [TBC]
- Out of the Shadows (unpublished) [HHCE Collection]
* “Film Treatment” can be found in Patrick Culliton’s book, Houdini’s Strange Tales – A Collection of fiction by the legendary Harry Houdini [1992]
Today, we look at The Great Tontine, which was one of four treatments (The Great Tontine, The Monster, The Vulture, and Floating Through Space) that turned up in 1990 and was published in 1992*.
Per Culliton:
[These treatments] turned up in 1990, when an East coast book dealer offered them for sale. This dealer was under the impression that he had in his possession several manuscripts hand-written by Houdini, and he was asking a small fortune for them (which, if genuine, they were worth). Houdini bibliographer Manny Weltman asked to see a sample and the dealer sent along a xerox of one of the stories. Weltman correctly identified the manuscript as having come from Houdini’s mind, but not written in his hand. The dealer was crushed. He put the material up for auction and Tom Boldt of the Houdini Historical Center in Appleton, Wisonsin was able to obtain all of it. It is through his kindness that we are able to include these four previously unpublished film treatments.
The Great Tontine (Story Summarized)
The Great Tontine, the founder of the insurance fortune he had accumulated; the last heir had been lost for many years ago in a submarine accident, and never again heard of. The plotters [Fraser, Rabbit, Toad, recently released from prison,] intend to produce an heir [with the Tontine birthmark on the right arm], [by using recently released Rodney, who was falsely charged]. Rodney is in love with Wilma Somers, who is to marry Maurice Darleton. Maurice who is financing the scheme, had quite an affair with Dr. Fraser’s daughter Madge who helped frame Rodney. Madge is jealous and kidnaps Wilma and tells how Maurice and her framed Rodney. Rodney shows up and saves Wilma.
Fraser and his gang abandoning of hope of getting Rodney to help in their fraud, decide on another subject. The plan is kidnap a physician and take him on a chartered vessel, have him do the tattoo, then calmly dispose of him. Old Mystery [detective and benevolent old man who would take mysterious trips, stay away for weeks or months) discovers the scheme, gets on the vessel in disguise and leaves a message for his now adopted son and helper, Rodney. Rodney is hit on the head and Wilma is taken to the vessel.
Per Culliton:
Houdini never finished The Great Tontine, so why don’t you do it for him? Complete this treatment in one hundred words or less and send it to:
The Great Tontine
c/o The Houdini Historical Center
330 East College Ave
Appleton, WI 54911
A panel of judges will read each submission, every entry will be acknowledged, and the winner will be awarded a swell prize on October 31st, 1993.
I checked my complete file of Mystifier Newsletters from The Houdini Historical Center, but found no mention of a winner.
That said, I believe the story would have gone on to prove Rodney is innocent and revealed that he is the true heir, that before remarrying and having Maurice, Mrs. Darleton secretly eloped with the Great Tontine (aka Old Mystery) and had him. So the story ends with: Rodney taking care of the gang on the vessel; discovering the truth (via matching birthmarks); Mrs. Darleton being reunited with her first child and learning that her first husband survived the submarine accident; and Rodney and Wilma living happily ever after.