Purely Joyful Movie!

just watch it!

A different way of telling a story

It is not only a funny movie, but it allows a great amount of joy for anyone who watches it.

Do you really need a recommendation to watch this restored film from 1919? Come on - the real Harry Houdini is in it! A couple of other reviewers here go into the film's discovery and restoration with the cooperation of the Turner Classic Movie channel so there's no need to go into that. What's rather extraordinary is the fact that there's actually a real story here, a murder mystery that evolves from a rather shady plan orchestrated by newspaper reporter Harvey Hanford (Houdini himself!) in order to save the financially struggling Daily Call. It involved faking the owner's death, with Hanford setting himself up to be incriminated for murder, and then after a time, the owner Dudley Cameron (Thomas Jefferson) would simply show up none the worse for wear. In the mean time, the newspaper capitalizes on the publicity, saving itself via a news hungry public buying it's coverage of the story.This picture is considered the first and best of five movies Harry Houdini participated in. I haven't seen the others so there's no way to judge for my part. What I can say with this one viewing is that Houdini himself presents a very versatile, athletic and highly physical dimension to the role portraying his character Hanford. The movie itself is a forum for capturing some of his most famous escape routines on film, including a prison break where he extracts himself from a series of chains, along with a daring upside down escape from a straight jacket hanging a few stories in the air. I was also impressed by a maneuver that stunt man Yakima Canutt eventually made as one of his trademarks. Following the prison escape, Houdini scrambles underneath a moving vehicle and hangs on to the undercarriage to make a clean getaway. Quite impressive.As for the main story, a trio of individuals that are part of Dudley Cameron's circle agree to participate in Hanford's ruse, but then operate independently, each for their own benefit. With Hanford on the run from the now very real murder of Cameron, it will take all of his cunning to flush out the real killer and save his fiancée Mary (Ann Forrest), ward and heiress to the Cameron fortune. The picture ends with a thrilling airplane chase leading to a mid-air collision and plane crash, though the two planes involved in the original stunt actually landed safely.The quality of the restoration is laudable and the movie itself looks to be reasonably complete. At about the one hour mark there are significant imperfections that apparently could not be improved upon at both outer margins, and the effect appears almost psychedelic, like something you might have seen musical groups of the Sixties use during appearances on variety shows of that era. At least that's the way it struck this viewer. Otherwise, the quality of the picture is rather exceptional, no mean feat for a film approaching the century mark.

The fact is that the "The Grim Game" was considered lost. Actually the only existing copy of the 71-minute feature was lovingly preserved by a private party (Larry Weeks) in Pennsylvania. In 2014, after financing by Turner Classic Movies (TCM), it was restored with a new music score; it was first televised in 2015.The first title card reads, "Remote and isolated, behind high walls and barred gates, the Cameron home repels intrusion." There is even an armed guard at the main entrance. Nevertheless, Harvey Hanford (Harry Houdini) is able to enter through the side gate. He, a reporter for the Daily Call, is in love with Mary Wentworth (Ann Forrest). He has come to see her. But the wealthy recluse Dudley Cameron (Thomas Jefferson) is at odds with nephew Harvey. Now Cameron is cared for by his ward and heiress, Mary Wentworth (Ann Forrest) and two servants. Harry eagerly tells Mary that her first story will appear in Sunday's newspaper. It has been stipulated in Dudley Cameron's will that Mary will be unable to marry while he lives. Cameron has planned for Mary to marry Doc Tyson (Arthur Hoyt) after his death. Doc Tyson is a shifty type. Cameron has previously lent the owner of the Daily Call, David Allison (Augustus Phillips) cash to keep the paper afloat, but refuses to give any more. Phillips is desperate. Meanwhile lawyer Nick Raven (Tully Marshall) is in deep cow-plop. For Cameron has caught him forging his signature. Cameron will not turn in Raven as long as he does Cameron's will. So now we have met the three schemers: Tyson, Allison, and Raven. But they work independently of each other. Knowing that the Daily Call is failing, Harvey presents his plan to the three men. It is intricate and involves a false kidnapping, the temporary disappearance of Cameron. Harvey has also purposely planted evidence to incriminate himself. Of course, the main bad guy turns it into murder; Cameron's body is discovered in a well on his property. Harvey Hanford is accused and eventually imprisoned – but as he is really Houdini after all – he engineers a series of fantastic escapes, beginning with his breakout from prison shackles. He even slips away after he is tied up in a strait-jacket upside down alongside a multi-story building. There are several coincidences typical of many silent films, but Houdini hangs in there and shows his abilities and his stamina. Finally there is the aerial stunt: a biplane with the hero actually flying chasing another airplane with the bad guy (and Mary). It concludes with a real crash. Although the script offers little suspense until the last reel, this film is quite good, and it was nice to see the great escape artist/stage magician in action. Houdini was even a skilled aviator. He was born in Budapest, Hungary when it was part of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. He immigrated to the USA in the nineteenth century and was raised in Appleton, Wisconsin. His attractive co- star, Ann Forrest, born in Denmark, was quite camera-friendly on screen. She makes a desirable lady-in-distress. The feature itself is a curio that should offer bona fide entertainment for movie buffs. It is said that perhaps 80% of all silent films are lost, so it is nice to have this one back from the grave.

Originally made in 1919 and long thought lost, this recently-restored full-length movie features the legendary Harry Houdini, performing the sort of escapes for which he was celebrated in his own time and is still famous even today. For that reason alone, this film deserves 10- out-of-10. Since his death in 1924 many magicians and escape artists have striven to replicate the incredible things Houdini did, and many of his feats have still not been done. Those expecting subtle characterization or modern production values need to look elsewhere. However, for those with an appreciation of something absolutely unique, something that simply cannot be duplicated today, this film is truly priceless.

From Houdini.org:Magicians Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz, from the Houdini Museum in Scranton, PA, tell the story of the finding and restoration of the long lost Houdini silent movie from 1919, "The Grim Game". Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz from The Houdini Museum in Scranton, PA revealed, "The film has not been shown to the general public for 96 years. This was one of the most sought after items in Houdini History. It has been considered the Holy Grail of Houdini history!" Houdini's movie "The Grim Game" made in 1919, has been unavailable until now and has been considered lost by film historians. Brookz commented, "The only complete copy of the film was hidden in the collection of juggler, magician, Houdini collector Larry Weeks. Dorothy and Dick had kept a friendly relationship with Larry Weeks and that is what helped to make this happen. Larry Weeks called himself "Houdini's biggest fan" and amassed a Houdini collection. He had the only known print of Houdini's lost film, "The Grim Game." He was known to show it at various occasions in his life time. It is the best of Houdini's five films. Dick Brookz commented "Over the years Larry invited us to see the film on two occasions. He found it odd and incomprehensible when I, Dick Brookz, told him that some magicians berated him for hoarding the movie that he preserved over the years at great personal cost." We called Larry Weeks on his private number and told him about our desire to have the film restored. It took several calls and over two weeks to convince Larry to meet with a go-between. Larry finally agreed and gave us permission to pass along Larry's number. A meeting was set up and he arranged to acquire the film for Turner Classic Movies who he done a job for. He then put the pieces together to pick up the film, have a company restore it and Turner Classic paid to also add an original movie score. The wonderful thing is that the film content is complete, although it required a lot of work by the restoration company. Just prior to this time we had spoken with Larry several times and he informed us of his rapidly diminishing health so time was of the essence. The deal was made!" The last time we spoke to Larry after the deal he said to us "Thanks, enjoy the film. The next time you will see me I will be in a box!" Larry Weeks died October 13, 2014, before the public would get news of the acquisition on January 23, 2015. Many years ago Larry Weeks had bought a plot in the same cemetery as close as possible to Houdini and is buried there. The restored film has a musical score composed by Brane Zivkovic an award winning film, television, and theatre composer. This was all done with financial help from Turner Classic Movies, who premiered it as the climax at the 2015 4 day TCM Classic Film Festival Sunday, March 29, 2015, in Hollywood to resounding praise and approval. It was the finale of the event.