A July 20, 1918 issue of
Motion Picture News recently sold on
eBay for $115.46. It includes a full page ad announcing the signing of Houdini by B. A. Rolfe to star in a motion picture serial. That serial was, of course,
The Master Mystery, and this ad heralds the start of Houdini's career as a screen actor. You gotta love the quote in Houdini's own hand: "It is authentic Houdini."
"There will be ten episodes and work will begin about July 15. I cannot announce the complete cast yet, but it will be a notable one. It is the intention to make it a serial that will live long and be remembered."
- B. A. Rolfe
Of course, a year later, this is how Houdini's relationship with B. A. Rolfe ended:
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| The Evening World, Oct. 9, 1919. |
I definitely love it. I had not seen this particular issue of Motion Picture News before. Congratulations to the winner of this rare item.
ReplyDeleteIt also contained a short article about Rolfe's plans. That's where the quote came from.
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