The Escape Artist

The Escape Artist
The Escape Artist
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Caleb Deschanel
Screenplay by	Melissa Mathison; Stephen Zito
Based on	The Escape Artist; by David Wagoner
Produced by	Doug Claybourne; Buck Houghton
Starring	Griffin O'Neal; Raúl Juliá; Teri Garr; Joan Hackett; Gabriel Dell; Desiderio Arnaz;
Cinematography	Stephen H. Burum
Edited by	Arthur Schmidt
Music by	Georges Delerue
Production; companies	Orion Pictures; Zoetrope Studios
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	May 7, 1982 (USA Film Festival); May 28, 1982 (United States);
Running time	94 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$143,369

The Escape Artist is a 1982 film starring Griffin O'Neal and Raúl Juliá. It was based on a book by David Wagoner, and was the directorial debut of Caleb Deschanel. It was the final film of Joan Hackett, Desi Arnaz, and Gabriel Dell.

Plot[]

Young and self-confident Danny Masters is the teen-aged son of the late Harry Masters, the "greatest escape artist except for Houdini". Danny himself is an accomplished magician and escape artist. He leaves home to join Uncle Burke and Aunt Sibyl in their magic/mentalist act; Sibyl welcomes him, but Burke is unenthusiastic.

Danny soon finds himself embroiled with Stu Quiñones, corrupt son of Mayor Leon Quiñones. The quest for a missing wallet (pick-pocketed by Danny) leads to the comeuppance of the crooked mayor, and separately of his vindictive and out-of-control son. Along the way, Danny comes to terms with the death of his father, the circumstances of which he did not previously know.

Cast[]

Raúl Juliá as Stu Quiñones
Griffin O'Neal as Danny Masters
Desi Arnaz as Mayor Leon Quiñones
Teri Garr as Arlene
Joan Hackett as Aunt Sibyl
Gabriel Dell as Uncle Burke
John P. Ryan as Vernon
Elizabeth Daily as Sandra
M. Emmet Walsh as Fritz
Jackie Coogan as Magic Shop Owner
Hal Williams as Cop At Mayor's Office
Helen Page Camp as Neighbor
David Clennon as Newspaper Editor
Huntz Hall as Turnkey
Harry Anderson as Harry Masters
Carlin Glynn as Treasurer's Secretary
Margaret Ladd as Reporter
Doug McGrath as The Photographer
Richard Bradford as Sam City Treasurer (uncredited)

Production notes[]

The cast includes two members of the 1930s troupe the Dead End Kids: Gabriel Dell and Huntz Hall.

Reception[]

The film received fair reviews from fans and critics alike.

References[]

^ The Escape Artist at Box Office Mojo

External links[]

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[1] The Escape Artist at Box Office Mojo

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