That in itself would make an interesting film. One thing not in the film is the fact he came into conflict with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, and fervent believer in the reachable spirit world. He did in fact go around debunking fakers in the field which is field that is saturated with them. One thing that is shown is Houdini's interest in the occult after the death of his mother in 1920. In his memoirs he recalls the experience as a pleasant one because of Janet and director George Marshall who he says was a good man to work with and an under-appreciated talent. But it's pleasant enough entertainment and it was the first film that Tony Curtis starred in that could be considered an A production. In fact this biographical film is mostly a work of fiction. What's not shown is the tension between the two women, they were not friendly. Angela Clarke plays Houdini's mother who was also important in his life.
Back then, young and in love, Tony and Janet function beautifully as a team as Harry Houdini and his beloved wife Bess. Houdini turned out to be the first of five films they did together, six if you count the joint appearance they did in the all star Pepe. The two of them had gotten married the year before and as a couple were getting a lot of publicity as young Hollywood marrieds. They shelled out some big money at the time to obtain loan out services for Tony Curtis from Universal and Janet Leigh from MGM. Paramount obtained the rights to the Houdini story from the estate of Harry Houdini from the guy his widow Bess gave it to after she died in 1943. The tricks he did are still being performed or attempted by magicians who want to make a name for themselves. David Copperfield, Rick Blaine, these guys are nothing in terms of popularity that Harry Houdini earned. Even over 80 years after his demise the name Houdini is still the standard by which magicians of all kinds are measured.
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