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THE GREAT HOUDINI Sequence F

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Continued from Sequence E

Powers shakes his head no, when the Manager of the Empress Theatre in Times Square asks if Houdini is here.

Houdini is still at the hospital with his sick kid, which has taken the kick out of all the success he had in New York.

Houdini is leaning up against the wall of the corridor. Bess sits in the little chair next to him. They quickly turn as the door near which they are placed, opens.  Two Doctors come out. These are Doctors Perry and Kahn. Houdini quickly straightens up.

The doctors tell Houdini the baby is very sick and they are doing everything they possibly can and that they should get some rest.

Houdini insists on the truth; Dr. Khan tells him it is out of his hands and he needs a little help (and with that he looks up)

Next, we see Houdini sitting in a cab looking up and saying a prayer:

I don’t know whether YOU’RE up there or not.  They say you are.  I want to believe that. Don’t do anything to my son — If you want, do something to me, but leave him alone — he’s so little.  You’re the top act – the top magician — Open up your bag of tricks – Help my boy. Help him! Please – help him!

Next, we see Houdini is being tied to a board on a buzz saw.

An assistant on the stage pulls a huge lever. There is the sound of the buzz saw turning. In another instant the traveling table, with Houdini bound to it, his head facing the saw, slowly begins to move toward the saw.  There is a distance of about 12 feet from Houdini’s head to the saw.

On the table as he begins to move his arms.  He shakes his head as if trying to fight off something. He’s usually free by now.  The table is much closer to the saw. He is struggling with his bonds.  Again he makes that gesture of shaking something off his mind.

Houdini has freed the upper part of his body and struggling with the bonds around his knees which still hold him fast to the table.  He comes nearer and nearer to the saw then suddenly he gets free just as it would appear as if the saw must strike him. As Houdini frees himself. He half turns his body and we can the saw clip his coat.

After the show, a doorman walks into scene and Houdini asks if he saw the show. The doorman says no and Houdini tells him he missed a great show, death just missed me like that.

The doorman bows his head and tells Houdini he’s got a message from the hospital.

Death didn’t miss Houdini altogether.

Houdini closes his eyes in shock and quickly runs off stage.

Houdini is then seen standing with Bess at the hospital. He holds her close in his arms as she sobs.  In front of them is a small bed.  Houdini is looking at the bed, his face is grief-stricken.

Bess asked why did it have to be that way, she prayed and prayed for some help.

Houdini said he prayed too, for the first time in his life and the last.

To be continued…Sequence G

THE GREAT HOUDINI Sequence E

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Continued from Sequence D

The captain has orders to take them to the Commissioner at the border.

The commissioner tells them they won’t be in St Petersburg tomorrow. He has orders to send them to Moscow.

Reluctantly, the group boards a Russian train.

Having arrived in Moscow, the gates open at a command from the Captain and the party marches into the courtyard toward the Chief of Police office.

A group of political prisoners, heavily manacled, are seen standing beside a Carette bound for Siberia.

In the office, the Chief of Police acknowledges the great success Houdini has had in Germany.

A detail of guards holding a very heavy iron box, that looks a little bit like a small safe, walk into the room.

The chief tells Houdini that his Majesty the Czar received this box as a gift from his cousin, the Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany. The box is locked. There is no combination. The Czar has had all his locksmiths make an attempt to open this box, but they have all failed. And the Kaiser suggested that you might be the only one who could open it.  If you open it, the Czar has given orders that you are to deliver the papers that are inside to him personally.

In front of the Czar is Houdini in full dress. Houdini hands him the papers from the safe. The Czar takes the papers, opens them and looks at them. He asks Houdini if he knows what the papers say and Houdini replies, No Your Majesty.

The Czar reads the paper which says, I told you that Houdini could open the box, signed Wilhelm, Kaiser of Germany.

The Czar acknowledges that Houdini has given ample proof of his talent with locks and asks if he can give a demonstration of any other powers.

Houdini asks the members of the court to write out their requests on little slips of paper, one will be selected by a member of the court and Houdini will do whatever is requested.

The request is for the low-tone bells (which haven’t been rung in twenty-five years because there are no ropes leading to them) in the Kremlin to strike the hour of twelve.

Houdini lifts his hands high, and we hear twelve bongs, thanks to Bess good shootin’ eye.

Later that evening, Powers tells Houdini it has been a great night and that they ought to have their answer from Beck by morning. Houdini tells Powers he doesn’t care what Beck says, that he is ready and going back to New York.

Back in the Hotel room, Houdini tells Bess that even though everything he had done was prearranged, he felt like he had great power in his hands to do good or evil.

Houdini then tells Bess he has a present for her. He reaches into his pocket and takes out a medal that the Czar gave to him.

Houdini goes to pin it on Bess, but she tells him to wait and pin it on their son.

To be continued…Sequence F

THE GREAT HOUDINI Sequence D

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Continued from Sequence C

The carriage is seen coming up the street toward an arched bridge spanning a canal.

We can see that the water in the canal is completely frozen over. A large group of people are standing on the bridge and on both sides of the canal.

Some men have cut a hole in the ice. On the bridge is a wooden crane-like affair and a block and tackle which is suspended over the hole in the ice.

Houdini dressed in a bathing suit is chained, manacled, placed in a packing box, lowered and with a splash disappears in the hole of ice.

After six minutes, a reporter tells Powers something is wrong and to pull him up.

Powers tells the reporter he is not to do anything until ten minutes pass.

Another reporter tells him it is impossible for him to be living, and a third reporter tells Powers that Houdini has earned himself a nice German funeral and that’s what he is going to tell his editor.

Just as Powers orders the box brought up, Houdini is seen treading water with one hand and waving to the people with the other hand.

Houdini tells Powers that getting out the chains was easy, but when he got out of the box the current had taken him beyond the hole in the ice. Looking for the hole, he discovered the air space between the water and ice and kept taking deep breaths until he eventually found the hole.

Meanwhile, Bess thought Harry had drowned, until she opens the window to the sound of a trumpet and sees Houdini with a smile waving his hand and throwing Bess a kiss.

Later, Houdini is in his dressing room and there is a knock at the door.

In the doorway is a Lieutenant of Police, two officers, and a rival magician, Constantine. They have an order for Houdini’s arrest on the charges of fraud, that he used prepared locks and confederates to aid his escape. The Lieutenant places a pair of handcuffs on Houdini, which Houdini throws on the ground as they walk out the door.

We next see Houdini standing in front of the judges bench in the Kaiser’s courtroom, where the judge asks Houdini if he pleads guilty or not guilty of the charges.

Houdini pleads not guilty, and maintains he does not use prepared locks or the aid of confederates in making his escapes and that he would like his accuser, Constantine, to challenge him to a test so he can proof his innocence.

An attendant sets an arm chair in front of the bench and Constantine begins to chain him to the chair.

Houdini’s only request is that he be left alone in the room. The judge honors the request and has his attendants carry Houdini into a room (with no other door and only a small window high up on the wall), shut the door with two guards standing outside to make sure nobody can get in.  Constantine tells the judge he is satisfied that Houdini can receive no outside aid and that Houdini will be forced to admit defeat and have Constantine liberate him.

Suddenly, you hear Houdini call for Constantine’s help and Constantine walks toward door with a triumphant grin. Powers put his arm around Bess and pats her on the shoulder.

The guard opens the door and Constantine steps in and closes door behind him. Instantly as Constantine gets in the room, there is a sound of noise from inside, the clanking of chains. The lock of the door is turned from inside. There is a the sound of struggle.

The judge orders that the door be opened.  The guards put their shoulders to the door and the door splinters under their strength and the guards are shocked by what they see.

In the chair in which Houdini was chained, is now seated Constantine, pretty heavily manacled and fettered.

The guards come out of the room, holding Constantine in the chair and exhibit him to the judges. There are shrieks of laughter.

Houdini is no where to be found, then suddenly he comes into the courtroom thru another doorway fully dressed and says: Your honor, the defense rests.

Houdini is found not guilty and the case is dismissed.

Newspaper headline reads:

HOUDINI MYSTIFIES COURTROOM! COURT APOLOGIZES TO HOUDINI! KAISER GRANTS HOUDINI AUDIENCE

The Kaiser tells Houdini he has vindicated himself and is always welcome in Germany and if he ever goes to Russia, he would like Houdini to perform for his cousin, The Czar Nicholas.

Houdini gets back to his hotel room to share the news of his Kaiser meeting with Bess and Powers.

Houdini senses something is wrong as Bess hands him a cablegram that his Mother’s dead.

Houdini doesn’t want any more bookings, but Bess tells him he has to go on, that’s what Mama would want.

Next stop – Russia.

To be continued…Sequence  E

Houdini was a twin?

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…Certificates clearly and unequivocally show two births: one in … 1873; and the other … 1874. (Some medical license has been taken in calling the Houdini’s twins as they were year-apart brothers.) …

Harry and Eric hit the performing circuit early as the “Weiss Brothers.” … They were not well-received as a duo because they looked too much alike.  … The duo act folded, … and from that day, Eric and Harry never appeared in public together. …

both twins answered to the name of Harry. …

Then, on a grievous winter day, at the height of their singular career, the frozen Potomic River proved to be the literal demise of Eric, d.b.a. Harry. … and presumably still hold, the trunk and twin. … Newspapers carried the story of his death. When Harry recovered sufficiently, he fabricated the yarn about surviving in air pockets under the ice…

Harry spent his last years in spiritualistic search, trying to contact his twin— not his mother as was reported…

[See Magic June 1997, Houdini Exposed…How else? By Jerry Foley page 59 for full article]

BTW: Happy Easter and April Fools Day!

Answer: Japanese Actors in Terror Island

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Last week, I shared that there were two Japanese actors who had roles in Terror Island, but did not share their names.

It is now time to reveal who these actors were:

camera! Nov 1, 1919

Goro Kino played Mordaunt’s Japanese Assistant:

According to IMDb:

Goro Kino was born on June 2, 1877 in Japan.

Sessue Hayakawa strangles Goro Kino in The First Born (1921)

He was an actor, known for Narikin (1921), A Tokyo Siren (1920) and Where Lights Are Low (1921). He died on February 4, 1922 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

And Yukio Aoyama played, Sato, Harper’s Japanese Assistant:

According to IMDb:

Yukio Aoyama was born on March 15, 1888 in Japan.

Yukio Aoyama and Lois Wilson in Who’s Your Servant (1920)

High school education in Japan and America and drama school in Chicago. Yukio Aoyama was an editor of the Japanes Daily News for five years and also writer and drama critic. Was a leading man in Japanese stock companies. Was in American-produced films, and co-starred with Lois Wilson in “Hari-Kari” (aka “Who Is Your Servant”, and co-starred with Helen Holmes in the Warners’s serial “The Tiger Band. “Worked in over sixty Vitagraph films as technical director or assistant director. In 1934, worked on the Japanese Movie Magazine and the Kodan Club, and was the owner of The Oriental Costume Company in Hollywood.

He died on December 11, 1939 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Credits:

  • Cropped Stills – Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.)

Japanese Actors in Terror Island?

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You may not remember this, but there were two Japanese actors who played roles in Terror Island.

One is Job Mordaunt’s Japanese Assistant, who appears in parts 3 and 4 above, which are both considered missing in the current version (Library of Congress Print) of Terror Island. He also appeared in part 2.

And the other is Harper’s Japanese Assistant, Sato, who appears above in missing part 3. He also appeared in parts 1 and 2.

Neither actor gets credit in the movie, nor has Terror Island listed as a movie they did in the internet Movie Database (IMDb).

So what were the names of these actors?

Will share the answer in my next post.

Terror Island Part 4 (2 of 2)

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Here is the second installment where I share the missing scenes in chronological order for Part 4. This post begins where the previous installment left off.

At the wharf, the boat has been released from its moorings and is now held by a single line, ready to leave.  They are placing the last of the boxes on board with block and tackle.  The paraphernalia has been hastily thrown into the boxes, while another adjusts the sling.  The gang-plank is still out.  The sailors carrying Beverly, and Job enter.  The Captain motions them to hustle on board and they exit up the gang-plank.

In the cabin, a sailor just finished tying Beverly to a chair. She is bound and gagged.  Stella and Job stand beside her.  Stella searches for the jewel box.

Stella finds jewel box, holds it up. Job snatches at it, but she avoids him and starts to examine it herself.

Two boxes remain to be loaded.  The gang-plank is being ordered up by the Captain. Harper rushes in, stops as he sees the boat is ready to sail and swinging at the end of one line. It looks like there is no chance for him to slip on board and attempt the release of Beverly. One man is nailing up the next to last box, while the other man places sling around it.  This attracts Harper’s attention.  He creeps forward, keeping in the shelter of the freight.

Harper creeps in, moves lid to look into box, finds room for himself, slips in and shoves lid over him. At this moment, the workman turns, goes to this box, begins nailing on lid.

The dog is at side of box, barks, jumps on it, makes unmistakable signs that he wants to get into the box with his friend and preserver.

Guy has a puzzled expression as he looks at dog. He walks toward it, calls dog, examines collar, sees that chain was unhooked, looks suspiciously at box, then starts to run for gang-plank, just as tackle is hooked in box and it starts up.  Guy gets aboard just as last line is cast off and the boat swings away from dock.

With the boat moving out and the box still suspended over water, Guy cuts rope, and box falls into water and begins to sink. Harper’s hand shows through broken board.

Box sinks to bottom, it wobbles around, hand shows, Harper attempts to break out.  Boards on side seen to give, Harper emerges from box, starts to swim upward.

Harper comes to surface, strikes out for dock, climbs up.

In the cabin, Beverly is bound, Stella and Job are examining jewel case. Guy enters, laughs as he sees Beverly then speaks: “I’ve just sent Harper to the bottom. Now let’s see him salvage himself!”

Harper shows his disappointment and grief as his failure to make the boat and protect Beverly. He lets his arms drop helplessly and bows head.

After hurried repairs to the submarine, it is loaded and is seen proceeding out.

With the Vaquero a few hours at sea

Stella, Guy and Job are in Stella’s cabin. Job stops suddenly and looks at Guy and says: “As Stella going to deliver the pearl to the natives, Beverly is only in the way.  I wish she’d fall overboard.”

Stella glances up from her inspection of the pearl toward the two men, a contemptuous smile on her lips, tries to catch something of their conversation, then goes back to her contemplation of the jewel.

Guy looks at his father from corner of eyes, leans toward him and speaks:

“Why deprive me of a little innocent amusement with Beverly?”

He looks at job, turns eyes upward, smiles and winks.

Stella had heard the remark.  She jumps to feet and comes fiercely toward Guy showing her jealously.  He laughs, she clutches him angrily, he brutally shoves her aside and exits.

The end of a periscope fastened to a tiny buoy is seen to be traveling thru the water.

In glass can be seen the boat.

Harper standing beside shelf on which is placed the other end of periscope is gazing intently into it.

Harper speaks: “We are close to the Vaquero, slow down”

Harper enters air-tight compartment, opens valve, place is quickly flooded, he opens outer trap and swims out.

Harper seen climbing up rope on side of boat near center.

End of Part Four

Credits:

  • Paraphrased Scenes – Paramount Files at Margaret Herrick Library

Terror Island Part 4 (1 of 2)

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Parts 3 and 4 of the current version of Terror Island are considered missing. I previously did four posts that described the missing scenes in chronological order for Part 3:

It is now time to share in some detail the missing scenes in chronological order for Part 4. This is the first of two installments.

At the docks on the deck of the Vaquero, Guy Mordaunt is talking with his father, Job Mordaunt:

“Tell her you’ve just found someone willing to make the trip. She’ll come with you quick enough now that the sub is disabled.”

[318-35]

At the gang plank, Beverly his seen seated with her dog. Job says:

“Good news, my dear, found a captain that is willing to make the trip! Come on over and meet him.”

“Hurry up! His steamer is just beyond our office – you can come right back.”

Beverly decides she will be alright and turns toward Job and nods her head. They start out.

Harper enters hastily and hurries to where Beverly was seated. He is anxious to report the condition of the sub.  He has on trousers, shirt, and low shoes only. Not seeing Beverly, he glances around in surprise – then seems a bit worried.  He looks up and sees Job and Beverly hurrying away.  His face hardens with determination.  He starts out in their direction on a run. He waves and calls as he goes.

Job hears and sees Harper is running toward them.  His face expresses fear and consternation. He stops, turns Beverly toward a door and tells her the Captain is inside.  Hastily throwing the door open, he pushes her in and follows.

Sailors and Guy draw back, apprehensive, as door is thrown open, but relax when it is Job who is entering. Job thrusts Beverly into the room, closes the door and stands with back against. He holds up his hands speaks hurriedly.  Beverly looks back and forth from Job to Guy.

Job says: “Harper’s coming.” as he turns to lock door.

Beverly shows hope at this announcement and turns toward door. Job angrily waves her back. Guy gives short order to sailors. Two of them rush forward and seize Beverly roughly, throwing a bit of canvas over her head, then begin wind rope about her arms. Guy has snatched the chain from Beverly’s hands and ties dog to leg of table.

Harper enters on run, pauses for an instant, then boldly tries the door.

Sailors are holding the struggling Beverly and binding her arms.  Job, standing at door, signal Harper is outside.  Guy motions to let him in, while he and two sailors station themselves so that the opening door will conceal them.  Job unlocks door, swings it suddenly open.  Harper rushes in, sees Beverly struggling in the hands of two sailors and starts toward her. Job and other sailors jump on his back. The three men go to the floor struggling, the sailors striking viciously with blackjacks.  The struggle is short and sharp.  Harper’s shirt is torn off.  He is dragged to his feet in a dazed condition and placed in a chair against the wall.  One sailor and Guy take coil of small chain and start to bind him.

[318-23]

They pass the chain thru iron ring in wall.

The two sailors that bound Beverly are now rolling her in an old sail which they start to tie up.

The dog is seen tugging at chain and barking at the men.

[318-25]

Harper is now bound, so Guy and sailors hastily prepare to destroy the building.  Boxes and barrels are placed before Harper and oil is poured over the mass, a candle is placed on top of one of the barrels, and a thread is stretched from it to the telephone bell, by Guy.

[318-22]

Preparations complete, the candle is lit, and two sailors pick up Beverly who now resembles a roll of canvas. Job throws open the door and all exit hastily. Job goes out last, closing the door.

Sailors carrying Beverly start toward dock. Guy speaks to Job, who is locking the door, telling him he will telephone.  Guy then starts across the street. Job after locking door hurries out after sailors.

Harper slowly regaining his senses, struggles to free himself from chains.

Guy enters cigar stand at dock, picks up phone and calls number.

Telephone rings and jerks the thread.

[318-24]

Harper staring at candle before him. It wobbles, tips over the mass of inflammable material which is ignited and starts to blaze.  Harper struggles violently.

Dog tugs on chain and tries to get away as fire is all around.

Harper is struggling desperately to break chains.

Harper snaps chains, frees arms, extricates himself from balance, fights his way past blazing boxes to dog, unlocks chain, then starts through smoke for door, followed by dog.

Harper at door, blinding smoke about him, works at lock and starts to pick it.

The door is opened and Harper rushes out past the crowd and hurries toward dock, dog at his heel.

Credits

  • Paraphrased Scenes – Paramount Files at Margaret Herrick Library
  • Cropped Stills – Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.)

What was the working title(s) for Terror Island?

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What was the working title(s) for Terror Island:

  • [A] Salvage
  • [B] The Isle [Island]of Hate
  • [C] Deep Sea Loot
  • [D] Houdini: Terror on the Magic Isle

Let’s explore each of the possible answers.

[A] Camera! The digest of the motion picture industry (Los Angeles California October 18,1919) mentions:

Houdini is well under way on his second thriller for Famous Players-Lasky, under the direction of James Cruze.  “Salvage” is the working title.

Exhibitors Herald (Dec 13, 1919) mentions:

“Terror Island” is the title selected for Houdini’s second mystery picture for Paramount-Artcraft, filmed under the working title, “Salvage”.

[B] Motion Picture News (Nov 8, 1919) mentions:

On his arrival at Hollywood, Mr. Lasky found the studio active with new productions including … “The Isle of Hate” (a working title) , with Houdini, etc.

[C] Letter addressed to Lasky Studios (Nov 2, 1919) while filming in Riverside CA, Houdini mentions:  

I am doing underwater swimming for my “deep sea loot” story.

And Catalina Islander Newspaper (Nov 25, 1919) mentions:

The working title of the picture, said Mr. Houdini, is Salvage or Deep Sea Loot.

[A][B] The Paramount Terror Island Stills Collection mentions:

Former Titles were “Island of Hate” and “Salvage”

And the Paramount Terror Island Scripts Collection has a synopsis that mentions:

“S A L V A G E.” (Temporary Title).

and cost sheets that mention:

SAVAGE was the original title and Terror Island was the released title. ISLAND OF HATE is handwritten on one of the cost sheets.

[A][B] and [C] “Salvage” and “Island of Hate” are documented in the Paramount files and the newspapers and “Deep Sea Loot” appears to come from Houdini Himself via letters and interviews.

[D] While not a working title for the movie, “Houdini: Terror on the Magic Isle”, is the title of a special exhibition at the Catalina Island Museum which runs May 5 to Sept. 23, 2018.

The museum will also host a special screening of Terror Island in Catalina’s spectacular Art Deco Avalon Casino Theater on Saturday, May 19th at 1:00 PM. The screening will include live musical accompaniment by Michael Mortilla and The Accompanists. Tickets are available now.

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