So is this really a lost Houdini biopic? The documentary credits only add to the confusion, calling this a "1928 Bio-Pic 'The Great Houdini' © Ealing Film Studios MCMXCIII." The roman numeral on the copyright is 1993, so that might be the tip-off that this was created just for the doc.
As exciting as the idea of a lost Houdini biopic is, I'm pretty sure this was made for the documentary, and it's probably tagged with the 1928 date because that was the year Ealing was founded. And the documentary does indulge in several other "artist" moments, so....
What do you think?
UPDATE: Looks like the mystery has been solved by an unimpeachable source:
Hi John, I was the actor who played Houdini. It was made specially for the documentary, and that was the only scene we shot, and I've never seen it up until today, so thanks! -Jonny Whiting
It would help to know the context for this clip. It's hard to tell from the footage if it's really that old or, as you said, just made for the documentary.
ReplyDeleteYou mean the context within the doc itself? They are just talking about the death of Houdini's father and then they cut to this clip to show the "promise."
DeleteSorry to rock the boat guys, but I checked this out as soon as the program was aired over here in the UK, all those years ago. It was specially made for the documentary. I have no more details ,but there certainly isn't any more footage.
DeleteCool, thank you, Mick. I figured as much. Guess I just wanted it to be true. :)
DeleteHi John, I was the actor who played Houdini. It was made specially for the documentary, and that was the only scene we shot, and I've never seen it up until today, so thanks! pse credit me as Jon Whiting and Jonny Whiting. Many thanks
ReplyDeleteJonny
Sensational! Thanks so much for posting and clearing up the mystery, Jonny!
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