The Grim Game (1919)

Director: Irvin Willat
Starring: Harry Houdini, Thomas Jefferson, Ann Forrest

Synopsis:
The estranged nephew of a miserly millionaire is framed for his murder.

Impressions:
I wasn't aware that Harry Houdini had been in movies. Apparently he has five of them to his credit and this is supposedly the best of them. The surviving print was only recently restored, so it's a special treat to be able to see it. As a historical artifact, it's priceless, but speaking of its merits as a film, it's a fairly standard plot to steal the inheritance of an old miser with the added gimmick of numerous situations crafted to show off Houdini's tricks. Personally, its historical value is reason enough to give it a watch and if you ever wanted to see Houdini in action, this is your chance.

Rating:
Watch It