Product Description

He can get away with anything … that's why they call him The Escape Artist. Griffin O'Neal - the son of Ryan O'Neal and the brother of Tatum - makes his film debut as Danny Masters, the teenage son of the late Harry Masters. Harry was known as "the greatest escape artist, second only to Houdini," and Danny plans to achieve similar fame by attempting to follow in his father's footsteps. After leaving home to join his uncle (Gabriel Dell) and aunt (Joan Hackett) in their magic act, Danny finds himself in a world of trouble when he nonchalantly picks the pocket of Stu Quinones (Raul Julia), the wild, troublesome son of the town's corrupt mayor (Desi Arnaz). While attempting to extract himself from his harrowing predicament, Danny gradually discovers the previously unknown circumstances surrounding his father's death, the extent of the legacy he left behind - as well as the delicate, oftentimes fragile bond between fathers and sons.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #82994 in DVD
• Brand: Paramount
• Released on: 2005-10-25
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 94 minutes

Customer Reviews

Quirky Film Worth Checking Out
Francis Ford Coppola formed Zoetrope studios with the intent of offering offbeat fare that otherwise would not have received financing by the major studios. This was an eminently noble goal but ultimately it was films like this that did not find an audience or widespread distribution that bankrupted Coppola. This should not be an impediment to any adventurous viewer in checking this film out. Though highly imaginative in part the film's central premise is somewhat slight involving a young magician (Griffin O'Neal) who picks the pocket of the ne'er-do-well son(Raul Julia) of a town's corrupt mayor(Desi Arnaz). What elevates the film is terrific performances by the actors not the least young O'Neal. O'Neal in the title role is magnetic and projects a worldliness that betrays his youth. I can't recall O'Neal in any subsequent films but I do recall his involvement a few years later in a tragic boating accident that took the life of Coppola's son. Julia is terrific as well in a part that a lesser actor would have overplayed. Interesting supporting roles include Jackie Coogan("The Addams Family") as a magic shop owner and Gabriel Dell(the Dead End Kids as O'Neal's uncle. Teri Garr, however, is criminally wasted in the role of Julia's girlfriend.

A Childhood Dream Come True
One of the first films I saw as a child and I loved it - a true masterpiece. I only ever saw it once and I made a lifelong promise to myself to see it again. Now I hear it may soon go to DVD and the suspense of such a prospect is almost too much to bear! It's a fantastic film, a real treat and a classic well worth adding to any DVD collection.

A Never Ending Sense of magic.
Well what do I have to say about this gem?It is a journey of our five senses into the realms of funny,imaginative,nostalgic,and infinite magic.Five stars are not enough.