Category Archives: The Grim Game

And is saved by an Awning?

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According to Ruth Brandon and Milbourne Christopher, Houdini frees himself from a strait-jacket, falls into an awning, rolls into the street under the wheels of a moving truck, grasps its underside and rides away:

  • He was captured after a fight and, as one might expect, taken up to the roof of the building, strapped into a strait-jacket and suspended head down over the street below.  (He freed himself, fell into an awning, rolled into the street under the wheels of a moving truck, grasped its underside and rode away). [Ruth Brandon, The Life and Many Deaths of Harry Houdini, page 207]
  • Captured after a fight, Houdini was taken to a rooftop, strapped in a straitjacket and suspended head down over the side.  He released himself, fell into an awning, then dropped to the ground.  Then he rolled under the wheels of a moving truck, grasped the underside and rode away beneath it. [Milbourne Christopher, Houdini The Untold Story, page 163]

 

According to the Paramount Script, Houdini frees himself from a strait-jacket, swings like a pendulum at the end of the rope, catapults his body through a small window; and then scales a wall and disappears over the other side.

According to the Paramount Script, Houdini leaps down into an alley-way and makes a dive under a fast moving truck after he escapes from a jail cell, not after he escapes from the strait-jacket as Ruth Brandon and Milbourne Christopher suggest.

 

So which sequence is correct?

  • (A) Strait-Jacket,  Awning, Truck
  • (B) Strait-Jacket, Window, Wall
  • (C) Jail, Truck
  • (D) B and C
  • (E) None of the above

I believe the answer can be found in the following:

This insert appears to be in chronological order and follows the Paramount Script with the exception, that there is was no scene that mentions an awning in the Paramount Script.

So based on all of the circumstantial evidence, I believe the following:

  • Answer A is incorrect because it includes the Truck and not the Wall
  • Answer B is incorrect because it includes the Window and not the Awning
  • Answer C is correct because it follows Paramount script and chronological insert
  • Answer D is incorrect because B is incorrect
  • Answer E is incorrect because C is correct

That is, I believe that the Awning scene (lobby card L302-75) did happen as part of the strait-jacket escape and appears in the movie.  However, I believe the truck scene happened as part of the jail escape not the strait-jacket escape.

Hopefully, one day I will know for sure.  What do you think?

Patrick Culliton — The Key

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Yesterday, I got to meet The Great Patrick Culliton (aka Houdini’s Ghost) in person at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California.  It was a great experience:

Patrick Culliton is the author of Houdini –the Key (published date October 31, 2010) which has a limited edition of 278 (Note: Houdini had a New York home at 278 West 113th Street in Harlem).

Houdini — the Key is intended as a reference book on the secrets of Houdini’s magic and escapes and I was fortunate enough to receive copy# 222 from Patrick on Friday the 22nd of June (which I was reminded was Harry and Bess’ anniversary).  

In fact the only reason, this book has not sold out a long time a go, is because Patrick is maintaining a one per customer policy which I admire and appreciate. Earlier in the week, I emailed Patrick to see if he still had any copies left. He did and instead of mailing it to me, he offered to bring it to me or have me meet him at the Magic Castle to pick it up; we agreed to meet at the Castle for lunch on Friday, June 22nd.

Patrick believes that this book is a key because the notes and references, not to mention the 940 illustrations, will unlock a thousand doors for anyone researching Houdini and his methods.  The book is incredible and I am going to have fun unlocking the doors.

Patrick signed my book on top of the milk can (willed to the Magic Castle as an original Houdini prop) in the Houdini Séance Room.  He was also gracious enough to sign my copy of Houdini’s Strange Tales that I purchased in Appleton Wisconsin in the 90’s.

After signing the books, we went to the close-up room to catch a performance by Henok Negash.  While waiting for the show to start, I learned that Patrick once owned 2 different sets of lobby cards for “The Grim Game” before he sold them.

After we saw the outstanding close-up show, we went upstairs to have lunch in the transformed Dante Room. Milt Larsen transformed the Dante room into a kind of big square round table where you never know who will show up.  Patrick introduced me to a number of people, which I appreciated.

I learned that Patrick once owned an authentic substitution metamorphosis trunk before he sold it for quite a large amount of money.

Patrick asked me if I had ever heard of the Witch’s house (aka The Spadena House) in Beverly Hills.  He proceeded to tell me that it was originally built in 1921 to serve as the offices and dressing rooms for Irvin Willat’s film studio in Culver City, and was moved to its present location in 1934.  I learned that Billie Love was married to Irvin Willat but divorced him when she met Howard Hughes; Howard and Billie made 2 films together.  Note:  Irvin Willat directed The Grim Game.

During lunch, I asked Patrick if he thought I would ever get to see The Grim Game; he told me that it used to be rented out and shown at magic clubs way back in the day.  He confirmed that Larry Weeks (supposedly, Houdini’s biggest fan) is in a convalescent home and will not release his print.  He mentioned that David Copperfield was interested in acquiring a print; this is not surprising that David who has one of largest Houdini Collections would be interested, but I don’t believe he has been successful. I would love to have a copy of the print, but I would settle for just seeing the film.  I have been told by a few people now, that one day, I will get to see The Grim Game; I am looking forward to that day.

After lunch, I got a nice tour of the library and spent about a half-hour in the Houdini section looking through some booklets.

I then thanked Patrick for making my day and left with my treasures. 

I am now ready to start unlocking the treasures found in Houdini — the Key!

Double Take

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What is the difference between these ads besides the variation in color?


Each version was the second page of a four-page ad created to promote the original release of the film.  The drawings on each are the same, but the text is quite different.

The first one is the version that appeared in my copy of the MUM Society of Americans Magicians Monthly, New York August 1919. The second one most likely appeared in some magazine as well due to the few staple holes.

Below is the breakdown of the text for comparison.  The text for the first version is in bold and the text for the second version is in italics.

HERE’S HOW IT HAPPENED
YOU READ IT IN THE PAPERS NOW SEE IT IN THE PICTURE!

On June First, 1919, the Associated Press carried from Los Angeles a story of the thrilling aeroplane accident that took place during the filming of “The Grim Game.”
The Associated Press on June 1, carried from Los Angeles a story of the most amazing aeroplane accident that has ever occurred. 

The story of the two planes which crashed together in mid-air and plunged to earth buzzed on the wires to every newspaper in America.
Amazing because no one was hurt, though two machines collided and fell thousands of feet to earth.

You will see the collision in “The Grim Game”.
The accident occurred in the filming of “The Grim Game”

It was an accident, but the camera man had the presence of mind to keep it turning.
The camera man in the third plane was cool-headed enough to keep on turning, though he was sure that the occupants of both machines would be killed.

The drawings on this page show how it happened.
The drawings on this page show what you see in the film. 

Houdini on the rope attempts to descend to the lower plane. 
Houdini prepares to descend to the plane beneath him. He swings off onto the rope.

The camera man was in the third machine.

The lower machine turned its propeller upward – the propellers gnashed together—
The lower plane turns its propeller upward – The propellers gnash together!

The lower plane crashed into the upper one – cutting off a wing –

The two planes, locked and helpless, crashed to earth!
The two planes lock – They plunge to earth!

It’s all in the picture – and lots more! 

The greatest thrill in the greatest thrill picture ever made!
A thrill that can never be duplicated!

 

Note: The third and fourth pages of the four-page ad are the same; And the first page of the four-page ad is the same with the exception that the ad that apprears in the MUM Society of Americans Magicians Monthly, New York August 1919, has one extra line of text added: Endorsed by the Society of American Magicians

S.A.M. Endorses Houdini’s Picture “The Grim Game”

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The Grim Game is endorsed by The Society of American Magicians;  As well as New York Mail, Morning Telegraph, New York Times, New York Tribune, New York American and Harrison Reports:

A special meeting of The Society of American Magicians was held at the Magical Palace, 493 Sixth Avenue, on Thursday evening, August 14th at 8:30 o’clock with President Houdini in the chair.  President Houdini extended invitation to members of S.A.M. present to attend a private exhibition of his latest motion picture production “The Grim Game”, which was eagerly accepted. [MUM New York, August 1919 p 21]

The endorsement was given at a private showing of the picture for the members of the society in New York, which was attended by Houdini, Howard Thurston, Francis E. Werner, G. G. Laurenz, Hardeen, William J. Hilliar and about forty others.  [The Sphinx September 1919, page 162]

After the showing, Mr. Howard Thurston said: “I have always thought Houdini was a great showman, but I expected nothing like this,  It leaves nothing undone.  Houdini may now retire, confident that he has done his greatest work.  It is one of the most wonderful things I have ever seen” [The Sphinx September 1919, page 162]

At the conclusion of Mr Thurston’s speech, Oscar S. Teale, Secretary of the S.A.M. said: “Gentleman, I move that the Society of American Magicians pronounce this picture a glowing success, worthy of highest commendation, and that it go forth as officially endorsed by this society.”  His move was quickly seconded, and the vote was carried unanimously.  [The Sphinx September 1919, page 162]

On June First

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On June First, 1919, the Associated Press carried from Los Angeles a story of the thrilling aeroplane accident that took place during the filming of “The Grim Game.”  The story of the two planes which crashed together in mid-air and plunged to earth buzzed on the wires to every newspaper in America.

You will see the collision in “The Grim Game”. It was an accident, but the camera man had the presence of mind to keep it turning.

The drawings on this page show how it happened.

Houdini on the rope attempts to descend to the lower plane.  The camera man was in the third machine.

The lower machine turned its propeller upward – the propellers gnashed together—

The lower plane crashed into the upper one – cutting off a wing –

The two planes, locked and helpless, crashed to earth!

It’s all in the picture – and lots more!  The greatest thrill in the greatest thrill picture ever made!

 

For more information (photos and footage) of the aeroplane accident, see my other related posts:

Where Does The Grim Game Rate?

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It made the list of the 100 Best Movie Posters; it was the best movie poster in 1919:

It made the list of WTE Classic Movie Poster Cards; it was number 18 out of 20:

It made the list of the best 10 movies about magic of all time; it was number 9

And last but not least, it is considered Houdini’s best movie.

Therefore, it appears to rate pretty good for a movie that has not been seen by many.

What a Mystifier or Coincidence?

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I was looking thru my collection of Mystifier Newsletters (A Publication of the Houdini Historical Center that ran quarterly from April 1991 to the Fall of 2003) and came across some very interesting coincidences on pages 3 thru 5 in the First Quarter 1996 Newsletter:

 

  • Page 3 thru 5 had a well-written article, titled Ray Stark & Hollywood, Searching for Houdini, by the man who is Wild about Harry, John Cox.
  • Page 3 had a photo (L302-84) from The Grim Game
  • Page 4 had a photo misidentified as being from The Grim Game
  • And last but not least, Page 5 welcomed new HHC Member, Joseph M. Notaro

Now 16 years later, if finding this isn’t a mystifier or a coincidence, then I don’t know what is.

Aeroplane Sketches

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The following original art work sold at the Manuscript and Collectibles Auction in November 5, 2005:

(Houdini) Original Art Work. Pencil and Ink Sketch, 20″x12½”, Signed by the artist: “R.B. Ogle / 1920.” The scene shows a frightened Houdini dangling by a rope from one bi-plane as it crashes with a second plane. This scene actually occurred while Houdini was filming The Grim Game. The legend below the sketch, with the title “Exploits of Houdini,” quotes Houdini: “…I was dangling from the rope end ready for the leap. Suddenly a strong wind turned the lower plane upwards, the two machines crashed together – nearly amputating my limbs – the propellors locked in a deadly embrace, and we were spun round and round….” This scene could possible have been drawn for a lobby card to be exhibited in the theater. In any event, it is intriguing.  Realized:  $1265

(Houdini) Art Work From The Master of Mystery. Pencil and Ink Sketch, 10¾”x14½” of Houdini looking over the side of a biplane assessing his next action as the pilot watches., c. 1919. Lower border identifies the scene as being from “‘The Master of Mystery (7th instal. p. 4.)” “Kinema Comic” is stamped in the lower left border, and some measurements are marked on the sketch, which is mounted to board. R.B. Ogle is identified as the artist on the back. The art work was probably for a lobby card.  Realized:  $575

First Ever Pictures of Aeroplane Collision

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Last week, I posted a blog that had some incredible photos of aeroplane wreckage being used as part of a lobby display for “The Grim Game”.

In keeping with the Aeroplane theme, I thought I would post an article and photos from the New York Tribune, July 06, 1919:

THESE pictures are the first ever to be taken of airplanes in actual collision in midair.  The three extraordinary photographs above are part of a motion picture film which was recording the flight from another plane at the time of the accident.  The collision was unpremeditated and miraculously resulted in the injury of but one pilot.

The crash occurred 2,200 feet over Santa Monica, Calif.  The planes were chartered for scenes in “The Grim Game”, being produced by Famous Players-Lasky.  It was planned that a former army pilot, Robert Kennedy, should change planes in midair, dropping from a rope attached to the undercarriage of the upper machine to the top wing of the lower plane.  A third plane was to carry a motion picture camera, from which the scene was to be filmed.

Just as Kennedy prepared to leap, an up-current of air drove the upper wing of the lower plane full into the landing gear of the one above.  The planes locked and spun down nose on, with Kennedy helplessly dangling at the rope’s end.

At 1,200 feet the planes parted and dove earthward at terrific speed.  They finally flattened out and pancaked to the ground, but not without crashing.  Miraculously, no one was seriously injured, not even Kennedy, swinging helplessly on his rope during the fall.  And all the time the cameraman in the third plane kept on grinding.

The photo on the left shows the daredevil Kennedy standing beside one of the wrecked planes.

[New York Tribune, July 06, 1919, Page 6]

For more information and other photos of the plane crash, see American Heritage April 1972: Houdini’s High-flying Hoax by Art Ronnie, page 106 – 109.

Note: The planes used were Curtiss Canucks, Canadian versions of the famed Jenny, the World War I training plane.  They were rented from producer-director Cecil B. De Mille, who owned and operated two of the three airports in Los Angeles at the time.

[American Heritage April 1972: Houdini’s High-flying Hoax by Art Ronnie, page 108]

Lobby Display: The Real Aeroplane used to advertise “The Grim Game”

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When the Princess Theatre of Denver booked “The Grim Game”, T. A. Sullivan, the house’s enterprising manager, looked about for something novel in the way of publicity stunts.

Now the wreck of an aeroplane, a most thrilling and convincing sequence, is one of the film’s notable features, so Mr. Sullivan conceived the idea of getting a real wrecked aeroplane and setting it up in the Princess’ lobby.

He found one, just where we don’t know, and soon had the big machine mounted as you will see by the accompanying illustrations.

There could be no mistaking the fact that the machine had been wrecked.  It looked as if had been through the world war, for it was battered and banged and its paint had long since disappeared.  The crowds which began to collect the moment the machine was exhibited convinced Mr. Sullivan that he had picked a winner, but he did not stop with just showing the frame of the plane.  The big powerful gas motor was carted to the theatre and placed on exhibition also.

The Princess had a crowd of men and women about its lobby every hour of the “The Grim Game’s” showing.

[Motion Picture News November 22, 1919]