The Escape Artist

Name: The Escape Artist
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Crime
Released: May 28, 1982
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Desi Arnaz, Elizabeth Daily, Gabriel Dell, Griffin O'Neal, Jackie Coogan

1982

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Mixed or average reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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The Escape Artist

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Movie Details & Credits

Orion Pictures | Release Date: May 28, 1982 | PG

Starring: Desi Arnaz, Elizabeth Daily, Gabriel Dell, Griffin O'Neal, Jackie Coogan, Joan Hackett, John P. Ryan, M. Emmet Walsh, Raul Julia, Teri Garr

Summary: Teenager Danny Masters, the son of the late Harry Masters, considered the second best escape artist in history, wants to follow in his father's footsteps, he already a skilled but untested magician. As far as Danny knows, his father died in a dangerous escape routine. Escaping from under his grandmother's roof, Danny, in a step to achieveTeenager Danny Masters, the son of the late Harry Masters, considered the second best escape artist in history, wants to follow in his father's footsteps, he already a skilled but untested magician. As far as Danny knows, his father died in a dangerous escape routine. Escaping from under his grandmother's roof, Danny, in a step to achieve his goal as they have all his father's old professional paraphernalia, reunites with his Aunt Sibyl and Uncle Burke in the town of Harding where they have a mind-reading act, she who actually can read minds but which only impinges on the smoke and mirrors they've developed with the act itself. In his wanderings around Harding, Danny gets involved with corrupt Stu Quiñones, and indirectly with Stu's equally corrupt father, the town's mayor, Leon Quiñones. This father/son pair no longer associate with each other as although Stu aspires to be as corrupt as his father, Stu's activities are a little too brazen and public for a politician with which to deal. In those dealings, Danny devises what is largely seen as a publicity stunt in reality to get the one up on the Quiñoneses, but in which he will have to show his true mettle as a great escape artist. In the process, Danny may also provide some justice for his father, the true nature of his death which Danny learns along the way.… Expand

Director: Caleb Deschanel

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Crime

Rating: PG

Runtime: 94 min

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Critic Reviews

Oliver Sunley

When Danny and Stu are on-screen together – The Escape Artist is immensely enjoyable. Read full review

David Sterritt

It's an imperfect movie, but a tantalizing and rewarding one. Read full review

Vincent Canby

The Escape Artist represents a lot more talent than is ever demonstrated on the screen. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

A simple story is lost in the film's complex structure, and only when O'Neal and Julia are on screen together does this directorial debut of cinematographer Caleb Deschanel come to life. Read full review

David Ansen

The Escape Artist is chockablock with intriguing ingredients, none of which pays off. It's a true oddball, but as much as one would like to encourage iconoclasm in Hollywood, a movie this incoherent can only induce exasperation. [14 Jun 1982, p.88]

Staff (Not Credited)

Treatment frequently pushes past the careful to the precious, and the quiet, odd tale never becomes more than mildly intriguing. Read full review

Stephen Godfrey

The Escape Artist looks as if it may be intended for children, but it's so fuzzy in detail and character that it fails in its premise as either adventure or fantasy. [29 May 1982]

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