I love listening to Houdini speak. His EL-O-CU-TION was RE-MARK-ABLE

This is a bit off topic but one of you will probably know the answers.

In the Tony Curtis movie who was the person who did the head chopper routine? Was he a known magician of the time or just a B actor? And what was the style of chopper used. And, yes, I am aware that the film's edit room did as much clever cutting as the chopper itself (with the fake head and all).

I'm working on an article and wanted to get the facts straight.

Thanks if you know the answers.

Cheerio,
Kerry

William W. Larsen, Sr. of "GENII" fame

Oops... missed part of your question! It's been several years since I watched the movie but I recall it being a "Lester Lake" (style, at least) chopper, most likely built by Owens.

George Boston & Dunninger also served as magic advisers to the George Pal production

Thanks Dave. That's just what I needed to know.
Cheerio,
Kerry

While we're on the Tony Curtis movie, if anyone has a script for the movie, I would like to buy it.

Thanks,
Kevin

Here's a the cast:

CAST
Tony Curtis (Harry Houdini)
Janet Leigh (Bess Houdini)
Torin Thatcher (Otto)
Angela Clarke (Mrs. Weiss)
Douglas Spencer (Simms)
Stefan Schnabel (Prosecuting Attorney)
Sig Rumann (Schultz)
Ian Wolfe (Malue)
Michael Pate (Dooley)
Connie Gilchrist (Mrs. Schultz)
Malcolm Lee Beggs (Warden)
Frank Orth (White-haired Man)
Barry Bernard (Inspector)
Oliver Blake
Billy Bletcher (Italian Basso)
Cliff Clark [Clarke]
Edward Clark (Doorman)
Fred Essler (Official-Looking Man)
Arthur E. Gould-Porter (Alhambra Manager)
Alec Harford (Assistant)
Grace Hayle (Woman Who Screams)
Harry Hines
Frank Jaquet (Foreman)
Tor Johnson (Strong Man)
Lyle Latell (Calcott)
Lewis Martin (Editor)
Torben Meyer (Headwaiter)
Mary Murphy
Tudor Owen (Blacksmith)
Mabel Paige (Medium)
Richard Shannon (Miner)
Erno Verebes (Prof. Allegari)
Anthony Warde (MC)
Peter Baldwin (Fred)
Elsie Ames
Joanne Gilbert (Girl)
Lawrence Ryle (German Judge)

Hmmm. I don't see William Larsen's name on that casting list. Can anybody confirm he was the man using the Lester Lake head chopper? It seems like if Grace Hayle (woman who screams) is listed, then Larsen ought to be there too.

Cheerio,
Kerry

I don't think Larsen was in it. I may be wrong though, but that is most complete cast list I ever saw for this movie.

William Larson was in the movie, but uncredited along with a lot of others. Tor Johnson, for one, was also uncredited. I found that information at imdb.com, which is a gold mine for movie information.

Tis true. It said he was involved with the guiltone act to boot.

Now, can someone find me a script for the movie?

For the complete credits, go to the Internet Movie DataBase here-
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045886/fullcredits
Hope this helps with your research.

Kevin, your request could be more difficult!

Wow! Awesome site. Thanks for the confirm on Larsen. The article will be that much more accurate thanks to your help. I am grateful.

Cheerio,
Kerry

Where is the article going to appear? AND If you turn up a script in your hunt, please let me know.

Hey Kevin,

The article is running in my regular column in the Christian Conjurer magazine - the magazine of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians. The article is a look at the use of Head Choppers - pros and cons, etc. It will be running in the Sep/Oct '06 issue. I'll send you the manuscript when it's finished in a couple of days if you care to read it.

If I see anything of the Houdini script I'll give you a shout.

Cheerio,
Kerry

Kerry,
It was actually William Larsen JR. not Sr. who appeared in the movie. His brother Milt has the guillotine but it hasn't been used since the war with Iraq for obvious reasons. I'll look for your article, sounds very interesting.


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