For the release of Houdini in June 1953, the Paramount marketing department aligned with magic clubs and magicians to boost the movie with various tie-in publicity stunts and screenings. Below is a page from the Motion Picture Herald showing some of those Houdini happenings around the country.
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Here's another promotional item about a special screening of Houdini at the IBM's Silver Anniversary convention in Philadelphia.
Even Genii The Conjuror's Magazine featured the movie on its June 1953 cover.
However, Houdini did come in for some criticism from members of the magic community for its inaccuracies. Milbourne Christopher led the charge with this item in Variety.
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I think it's clear today that Houdini was a legit boost to magic by inspiring a new generation of magicians and magic enthusiasts. As far as its inaccuracies... If only they knew what was to come!
Christopher didn't mince words in that Variety article, and I don't disagree with him at all. I think that’s why he called his HH bio The Untold Story. What happened to Christopher's Houdini collection?
ReplyDeleteIt was sold off in a few auctions over the years. Last one I'm aware of was in 2011.
DeleteInteresting to see how Variety, (a non-magic publication) noted even then, that the HOUDINI movie was giving Houdini's story, "the Hollywood treatment" unburdened with facts.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that too! Variety did throw zingers at Houdini's Terror Island in their review. Variety was Rolling Stone magazine before RS sold out to the corporations.
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