David McKail Movies
My Brilliant Career and Oscar and Lucinda director Gillian Armstrong explores the final feat of the greatest illusionist ever to deceive a live audience in this docudrama concerning Harry Houdini's obsessive quest to find proof of an afterlife. The year is 1926, and Houdini (Guy Pearce) is an international superstar. Not only does the illusionist's otherworldly ability to bend reality hold audiences completely enthralled, but his easy charm finds him winning the hearts of his growing legion of fans as well. Yet behind Houdini's winning smile resides the restless heart of a tortured soul. Isolated by fame and drowning in regret over having not been present to hear his mother's last words, Houdini sets out in tour of Scotland and announces that he will pay 10,000 dollars to anyone who can prove spiritual contact with his deceased mother. But in his determination to prove that there is life after death, Houdini also becomes the target of countless charlatans, scam artists, and self-proclaimed spiritualists. Of course, stunning psychic Mary McGregor (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and her daughter/sidekick, Benji (Saoirse Ronan), seem remarkably sincere in their supernatural talents, yet that doesn't mean that the pair doesn't have their own ulterior motives for making a connection with the world-famous magic man. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Guy Pearce, Catherine Zeta-Jones, (more)
- 1977
"The Talons of Weng-Chiang, Episode 1" of this six-part Doctor Who adventure, was originally broadcast February 26 1977. The Doctor (Tom Baker) and Leela (Louise Jameson) materialize in Victorian London, where they are plunged into a murder investigation involving what seems to be a pack of gigantic rats. What connection could this possibly have with the Chinese Tong of the Black Scorpion? "The Talons of Weng-Chiang, Episode 1" was written by Robert Holmes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, (more)
- 1977
In the second episode of the six-part Doctor Who adventure "The Talons of Weng-Chiang," the Doctor (Tom Baker) becomes involved with a murder investigation in Victorian London. Befriending police pathologist Prof. Lightfoot (Trevor Baxter), the Doctor tries to determine the connection between the murders, a deadly Chinese Tong faction called the Black Scorpion, and some mysterious tufts of rat hair. The trail leads to a prositution ring headed by Tong leader Weng-Chiang (Michael Spice) -- who, in typical Doctor Who fashion, is not precisely what he seems to be. Written by Robert Holmes, "The Talons of Weng-Chiang, Episode 2" originally aired on March 5, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, (more)
