Wonderful Stunts in Houdini Film, The Grim Game

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HHCE Collection

The following is from an article in my personal collection:

The first stunt Houdini performs is the opening of a barred door by manipulating a piece of wire and a bunch of keys so that he can draw back the bolt and so gain entrance. Then, whilst taking forty winks at this desk, his fellow reporters play a joke upon him and place handcuffs upon his wrists. They are amazed at the ease at which he removes them. Next he causes an automatic pistol to appear miraculously in his hand, which is held high in the air. He also opens a locked gate by manipulating the lock. When the hero is arrested for murder, he puts up a strenuous fight, but is finally overpowered by nearly a dozen men. Then he is chained, handcuffed, and locked so that it seems impossible that a man could get away. But he performs the feat right in front of the camera. Removing the chains he attaches them to a prison bed, and, using leverage, forces the bars over the window. Then he climbs to the ledge, and clinging to the wall makes his way straight up to the roof. He goes out to the end of a horizontal flagpole to secure the rope and climbs downward to earth.

Here comes one of the most interesting actions of the picture, although one of the quickest. Crouching in an alleyway, Houdini hurls himself between the front and rear wheels of a moving motor car, and with what seems like a continuous movement grasps the underhanging portion of the chassis and so escapes. He climbs up a drain pipe to the roof of a house, and by a clever move and by a clever move sends his pursuers on a false scent. But he is captured and is taken to an asylum, where he is placed in a strait-jacket, removes the ropes and falls to an awning many feet below. One of the most difficult of the stunts, however, is when Houdini, pinioned hand and foot to four separate bended trees, which keep him swinging in mid-air, effects an escape.

The greatest scene of all, and one in which was entirely unpremeditated, is when Houdini crawls out of the fuselage of an aeroplane and lands upon the top plant of another. But the machines, running too close together, suddenly strike, and the plane containing Houdini, the heroin and Allison makes a mad spiral dive to the ground and strikes the earth with tremendous force. The machine is broken up, but fortunately no one is injured. It had been intended to land in the ordinary manner.

[February 21, 1920 The Film Renter & Moving Picture News]

Film Treatments by Houdini – Out of the Shadows

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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) film treatments (published and unpublished) by Houdini

* “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 Out of the Shadows, from my personal collection.

Like the film treatments in the Tom Boldt collection, this manuscript was dictated by Houdini. It is 4 leaves written (entirely in pencil) on stationary with HOUDINI engraved in the upper left corner.

Out of the Shadows

The story concerns a man (called “Hero” in the outline) who went to jail to protect his younger brother. Upon his release, he has his heart broken, becomes a wastrel, falls in love, becomes a D.A., survives blackmail and several attempts on his life and finally marries the girl.

Note: Although Out of the Shadows was never filmed, there are elements in the story that echo in some of his other films.

Film Treatments by Houdini – Blood Brothers

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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) film treatments (published and unpublished) by Houdini

* “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 Blood Brothers

Per Silverman:

Despite Houdini’s sudsy reasoning, in his affections he had always ranked his mother on a level with his wife, expected Bess to accept the fact, and even in some degree confused her with Cecilia. In one of his unpublished short stories, “Blood Brothers,” he named his hero Haddon Harcourt — HH — and gave Bess’s middle name, Beatrice, to HH’s mother.

Note: Unfortunately, this all the info I have on Blood Brothers at this time. I hope to get to read it one day. Especially, with the fact that he actually named the hero in this one, unlike most of the other unpublished film treatments. And we know, that the 4 feature movies he starred in, all had his characters initials as HH (Harvey Hanford–The Grim Game, Harry Harper–Terror Island, Howard Hillary–The Man From Beyond, Health Haldane–Haldane of the Secret Service).

Film Treatments by Houdini – Floating Through Space

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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:

* “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 Floating Through Space, 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, Wisconsin was able to obtain all of it. It is through his kindness that we are able to include these four previously unpublished film treatments.

Floating Through Space (Story Summarized)

During one of Hero’s journeys, a wicked and cruel Hindu girl before she dies, tells him of her everlasting love, also of her peoples belief – of the souls of the dead at some time inhabiting the body of some living person.

After a strenuous career abroad, our hero returns home and falls in love with a sweet girl and asks the girl to wear a particular amulet, and asks her to swear she won’t remove it ever until her wedding day.

Fade in the sweet girl, preparing for bath, removing amulet – then retires to bed. You see the shadow of Hindu girl gloatingly over sleeping girl. You see the transformation in the girl’s face.

Fade in our Hero, who finds her seated in a chair kissing his picture. He asks her had she removed the amulet. She answers, “No.”

He realizes he had fallen asleep and dreamed she removed the amulet. The girl smiles in his face with love and trust in her eyes, both parents look indignantly at the smiling lovers–

–as the curtain falls.

Film Treatments by Houdini – The Vulture

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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:

* “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 Vulture, 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 Vulture (Story Summarized)

Our Hero promises to save his sister. The Doctor is announced. He tries to quiet her. She is hysterical, cries “Brother, you will recognize The Vulture.  He has a –– “ But she falls back into the arms of the Doctor, dead.

…

After many adventures, our Hero discovers that the money lender and The Vulture are one. But there is still another side to this beast –– he tries to recall a defect that he recognizes in both the money lender and The Vulture. They each have one grey and one black eye. He arranges to have The Vulture raided in his den but he escapes. Our Hero then dashes to the money lender’s home, but he also has flown from there. The rest of the band is taken etc.

Our Hero then returns to the girl, whom he always reported his escapes. Whilst telling her of the Vultures’ escape, he looks at the Doctor, jumps on him, etc. He at last has The Vulture in his hands. It develops that the girl is not really the daughter of the Doctor. The real father and mother had died in this Doctor’s house; the Doctor then assumes the father’s name, estate, etc., really learned to love the child, continued to lead this triple life. He was really a mad genius, etc.

Film Treatments by Houdini – The Monster

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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:

* “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 Monster, 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 Monster (Story Summarized)

Our hero calls in his men, who arrest the Chief, stepmother, and nephew. Our hero would like to know how this Chief, who was officially dead came back to life. The Chief explains it was his cell mate who had died. He changed identities with the man. The stepmother, before being taken away to prison threatens to reveal the secret of the old Doctor unless she is set free. Girl enters room and wants to know the secret that had made her father’s life miserable. It’s revealed that the Doctor transposed the brain of a little dog into a dying foundling; The child lived, the dog died, but it had the habits of the dog. Our hero takes the girl in his arms to search for the old Doctor, discover a secret room, and the doctor sitting peacefully with his arms folded lovingly around the little monster, as a mother would hold her baby.  They were both dead, at last happy together, they are where there are no monsters.

Film Treatments by Houdini – The Great Tontine

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  1. 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:

* “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.

More Master Mystery Paper Robot Reproductions

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Just received the following from David Haversat Zanadu LLC:

We got our hands on a stack of this recently produced poster for Houdini’s Master Mystery. It’s a 24” x 18” heavy stock image containing the plans to cut-out and build your own miniature robot as seen in The Master Mystery starring Harry Houdini. The Robot “The Automation – Q” was the first film to be featured in a film.

Order while supplies last! Email: haversat@gmail.com for details.

Above is what Q looks like if you build him.

History of Paper Robot:

Early 1920’s – Originally in Spanish, M. Barrenchea created the art as a promotional piece geared for children (above)

HHCE Collection

2010 – A repro poster sold out of Spain (above)

http://www.robothut.robotnut.com/houdiniPaperRobotPages.html

2013 – HHCE shares the above 2010 image:

2014 – Potter and Potter sold an extremely rare original (above)

2018 – HHCE adds (rare) repro poster from Spain to HHCE collection

2020 – HHCE shares image of repro poster from Spain

2020 – Eddie Guevaro of the House of the Unusual contacts HHCE about buying a copy of my repro poster for his collection

2020 – HHCE lets Eddie know that I am not the maker of the repro poster and only have the one copy

2022 – House of the Unusual releases their version (written in english) of the repro poster, which was proudly added to the HHCE collection via David Haversat

It is a pretty cool piece, and like the Spanish original & repro, it is sure to be a collector’s item in the future.

Film Treatments by Houdini – Il Mistero de Osiris or The Mystery of the Jewel

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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) film treatments (published and unpublished) by Houdini

* “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 Il Mistero de Osiris or The Mystery of the Jewel, courtesy of Silverman (italicized text) and the Harry Ransom Center (images):

 

At a U.S. Customs Service auction of unclaimed films, he bought an Italian-made feature, Il Mistero Di Osiris (The Mystery of Osiris) [and copy-righted the film as his own]

The Roman company that produced it, Vera Film had also published a lengthy scenario of the action, which Houdini had closely translated to English.

He published this as a pamphlet, The Mystery of the Jewel, with his name [actually Houdini’s portrait] on the cover. Giving no indication of the Italian original, he allowed it to pass as a scenario or short-story by himself.

…

Il Mistero gave Houdini the notion of making a roughly similar film based on Egyptian ideas of reincarnation, to be shot partly as the Grand Hotel in Cairo. To finance it he organized late in 1921 a new company, Mystery Pictures Corporation, again headed by himself and Hardeen.

He commissioned a photoplay, bought some stock footage of Egypt (the Nile, the Sphinx, a flotilla of crocodiles), and put the film into production as “The Ashes of Passion,” using FDC as a developing lab.

The picture was retitled “Reincarnation,” but however much of it he completed, if any, has disappeared.

Below is a summary of the photoplay.

The theory of re-incarnation, and the trans-migration of souls, and the scene is laid in Cairo of the present day, where a certain Princess and a painter meet. The Princess believes herself the re-incarnation of a woman who lived in the dim ages of the past, and whose love and life were beytrayed by one, Araxez, whom she now believes to be re-incarnated in the painter. She has no difficulty in luring the painter to the underground tomb of Araxez, where, after vividly recounting the story of his treachery is stabbed to death; the mystery lies in the identity of his murderer. The modern scenes include some pictures of Cairo today, the pyramids, the tomb of Memnon, and other well-known Egyptian monuments; whilst the scenes of ancient Egypt introduce a number of ancient ceremonies, one of which is the peculiar rite of uncovering a mummy at the marriage feast.