I was sitting with my two boys (Primus(9) and Secundus(6)) the other night, eating pizza and watching TV. I was sick to death of cartoons and sports so I browsed through the movie channels and found Houdini. I left it on to see how the boys would react and after ten minutes there were no complaints, just solid munching and viewing. I tried changing the channel to the Simpsons, a perennial favorite, and Primus asked if we could go back to the movie.

Success!

The movie is sort of a double period piece. It’s set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is also an example of a kind of film-making that really epitomizes the 50s, for me at least. It stars Tony “Yonda is da castle of my fadda” Curtis and Janet Leigh, a married couple playing a married couple.

Overall it’s not bad, it is what it is and when you’re looking for something family friendly that’s enough.

Knowing how Houdini’s life turns out, I thought I might prepare them.

Me: Guys, this might not have a happy ending, just so you know.

Secundus: You mean he dies?

Me: Well, it happened a long time ago so he’s dead now anyway, but yes, he dies and I don’t know if they’ll show it.

Three beats later…

Secundus: Did dey know he was gonna die when dey made it?