American Experience · SEASON 12

Houdini

Episode 7 · 2000-01-24

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Season 12Episode 7★ N/A/10
  • Documentary

Episode overview

Mandy Patinkin narrates a biography of Harry Houdini (1874-1926) that focuses on his amazing feats (later ones are seen in clips; others are re-created) and the obsessions---notably his mother and death---that shaped his personality. "Escapology" was also high on the list. "He was so insanely devoted to what he did," observes author E.L. Doctorow, "that the ultimate insanity of his life never occurred to him."

55 minutes

Season 12 episodes

1. New York (1): The Country and the City1999-11-14 2. New York (2): Order and Disorder1999-11-15 3. New York (3): Sunshine and Shadow1999-11-16 4. New York (4): The Power and the People1999-11-17 5. New York (5): Cosmopolis1999-11-18 6. Eleanor Roosevelt2000-01-10 7. Houdini2000-01-24 8. Nixon's China Game2000-01-31 9. The Duel2000-02-14 10. John Brown's Holy War2000-02-28 11. George Wallace: Settin' the Woods on Fire (1)2000-04-23 12. George Wallace: Settin' the Woods on Fire (2)2000-04-24 13. Jubilee Singers: Sacrifice and Glory2000-05-01 14. Joe DiMaggio: The Hero's Life2000-05-08 15. The Wizard of Photography2000-05-23