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  • The Escape Artist (1982)
  • PG
    94 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
The Escape Artist (1982)
PG
94 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama

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 ...See moreTeenager 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. Written by Huggo See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Writers
David Wagoner (based on the novel by) | Melissa Mathison (screenplay) | Stephen Zito (screenplay)
Composer
Cinematographer
Casting Directors
Production Designer
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Release date
May 28, 1982 (United States)

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Cast

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30 cast members
Name Known for
Raul Julia
Stu Quiñones Stu Quiñones   See fewer
Griffin O'Neal
Danny Masters Danny Masters   See fewer
Desi Arnaz
Mayor Quiñones (as Desiderio Arnaz) Mayor Quiñones (as Desiderio Arnaz)   See fewer
Teri Garr
Arlene Arlene   See fewer
Joan Hackett
Aunt Sibyl Aunt Sibyl   See fewer
Gabriel Dell
Uncle Burke Uncle Burke   See fewer
John P. Ryan
Vernon Vernon   See fewer
Jackie Coogan
Magic Shop Owner Magic Shop Owner   See fewer
Hal Williams
Cop at Mayor's Office Cop at Mayor's Office   See fewer
Helen Page Camp
Neighbor Neighbor   See fewer
David Clennon
Newspaper Editor Newspaper Editor   See fewer
Harry Caesar
Sax Player Sax Player   See fewer
Huntz Hall
Turnkey Turnkey   See fewer
Harry Anderson
Harry Masters Harry Masters   See fewer
George Brengel
Water Commissioner Water Commissioner   See fewer
Carlin Glynn
Treasurer's Secretary Treasurer's Secretary   See fewer
Isabel Cooley
Secretary at Newspaper Office Secretary at Newspaper Office   See fewer
Tom Signorelli
Mailbox Cop Mailbox Cop   See fewer
George Cantero
Jail Trustee Jail Trustee   See fewer
Harry Cohn
Jailmate Jailmate   See fewer
James Howard
Cop at Bridal Shop Cop at Bridal Shop   See fewer
R. Wayne Kruse
Reporter Reporter   See fewer
Margaret Ladd
Reporter Reporter   See fewer
Garry Marshall
Drummer (as G.K. Marshall) Drummer (as G.K. Marshall)   See fewer
Doug McGrath
Photographer Photographer   See fewer
Susi Sherman
Woman at Club Woman at Club   See fewer
Richard Bradford
Sam (uncredited) Sam (uncredited)   See fewer
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