Scranton, PA, June 04, 2015 -- Houdini’s Lost Silent Film The Grim Game Will Be Shown To The General Public For The First Time In 96 Years At Scranton’s Houdini Museum June 13th.

Guests will be treated to meeting The famous Houdini Family, including Houdini’s Grand Nephew, Jeffery Blood.

Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz, directors of Scranton’s Houdini Museum, convinced 95 year old Brooklyn resident and owner of the only print of Houdini’s “The Grim Game”, to sell it to TV network Turner Classic Movies. The deal was brokered by film restorationist Rick Schmidlin, who spent six months putting the team together that restored the film. The exclusive screening of “The Grim Game” will be on Saturday, June 13, at 8 p.m. The movie has never been shown on TV, and film critics consider “The Grim Game” to be Houdini’s greatest movie. It features Houdini’s best escapes in a 71 minute black & white silent film with a newly adapted musical score by award-winning composer Brane Zivkovic. Originally produced by Paramount in 1919, “The Grim Game” features Houdini as a journalist who gets framed for murdering a millionaire. The scenario allowed Houdini to show off his masterful escape artistry as authorities attempt to apprehend his character.

TCM has given Ms. Dietrich and Mr. Brookz permission to exhibit the film here in Scranton. This will be its first showing to the general public. The Houdini Museum makes for a fitting location since they unearthed the film, they are the only building in the world dedicated to Houdini, and himself performed in Scranton exactly 100 years ago at Scranton’s Poli Theater in 1915.

Houdini said of his film “The Grim Game,” "The present generation can see me in person, but I want my most thrilling feats perpetuated on the screen, so people in later years can assure themselves that I actually did them. That's why I have saved the most sensational stunts I have ever done for this picture and have worked my head off to make them as successful as possible." HOUDINI

What: Screening of Harry Houdini’s “The Grim Game” The night will also include a fabulous VIP cocktail party, with hors d’ourves & free open bar. Guests will be treated to meeting The famous Houdini Family, including Houdini’s Grand Nephew, Jeffery Blood. Posters and memorabilia of The Grim Game & Houdini’s performances in Scranton a century ago will be on display before and after the movie screening.

Where: The Houdini Museum, 1433 N. Main Ave, Scranton, PA

When: Saturday, June 13, 2015

Time: 6 to 7 p.m. VIP cocktail party, with hors d'oeuvres & open bar. The Houdini Family will be present.

7 to 8 pm Reserved admission, displays. The Houdini Family will be present.
8 pm Screening of Houdini’s long lost film ‘The Grim Game” Introduced by Houdini Historians Dorothy Dietrich & Dick Brookz.
9:30 to 10:30 pm film discussion

Details: Advance tickets are 6 PM, $49 VIP; 7 PM, $19 reserved seating; and 8 PM. $9 general admission (sold out). Tickets can be purchased at 570 342-5555.

By Reservation only. No tickets will be sold at the door.

More information at http://Houdini.org

Contact: Dorothy Dietrich, The Houdini Museum, [email protected], 570-342-5555

Related story: http://thetimes-tribune.com/lifestyles/houdini-museum-owners-behind-effort-to-restore-share-rare-film-1.1849314

Contact:
Penny Wilkes
The Houdini Museum
1433 N. Main Ave
Scranton, PA 18508
570-342-5555
[email protected]
http://www.houdini.org