MovieChat Forums > Houdini (1953) Discussion > Legal Charges Against Houdini

Legal Charges Against Houdini


Houdini, at one point in the film, is arrested and made to stand trial in Germany (or was it France?). Did this actually happen, and WHAT was he being charged with ? I never understood the point of arresting the man. He was putting on great shows and entertaining people. HOW WAS HE HURTING ANYONE ???

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pure Hollywood hokum...but I still like it as an entertaining film

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While not pure Hollywood hokum, the suit was actually brought by Houdini against the German Police for slander. They accused Houdini of perputrating fraud against the German people.

He was stripped naked in court and manacled. He worked under a blanket and escaped in 6 minutes.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/houdini/peopleevents/pande07.html

Has more details

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