Jeff has already addressed the Houdini fantasy thriller to be produced by Summit based on a book that reads like fan fiction. I was reminded of Elvis Presley's letter to Richard Nixon back when I heard this Houdini book was being published. In it, Elvis offers his services as a "Federal Agent at Large" against "The Drug Culture" (ha!) and "The Hippie Elements."

Just because Elvis sent Nixon a letter and met with him does not mean he was living some sort of Confessions of a Dangerous Mind-style secret life as a spy. Similarly, the correspondence Houdini sent to a friend in Scotland Yard is just as unsubstantiated of proof. Who wants to bet they slap a "based on true events" label on the poster?

I think people would be interested in a movie about Houdini, and I find the label of America's First Superhero more fact based on public perception than exaggeration. I can't help but wonder why no one has managed a straight-up biopic without all the bullshit conspiracy theories superseding the fascinating life he had.

The Tony Curtis film is good but not great, with a factually erroneous conclusion. Death Defying Acts was enjoyable, but more like an issue of Marvel Comics' "What If...?" than a substantive biopic.

What's next, Thomas Edison, Master of Destruction?