Escape Artist (1982)

44% of users liked it
(1,259 ratings)

The Escape Artist represents the laudable directorial debut of cinematographer Caleb Deschanel. Griffin O'Neal, the real-life son of Ryan O'Neal, plays Danny Masters, the offspring of a famed magician. Determined to match his dad's accomplishment, Danny runs into nothing but trouble. His biggest… More The Escape Artist represents the laudable directorial debut of cinematographer Caleb Deschanel. Griffin O'Neal, the real-life son of Ryan O'Neal, plays Danny Masters, the offspring of a famed magician. Determined to match his dad's accomplishment, Danny runs into nothing but trouble. His biggest mistake is picking the pocket of the son of a corrupt town mayor. When not running from adults, the boy is being exploited by them. A critic's favorite, Escape Artist has slowly built up a cult following over the years, thanks largely to its eclectic supporting cast, including Raul Julia, Desi Arnaz Jr., Joan Hackett, Teri Garr, Jackie Coogan, Huntz Hall and M. Emmet Walsh. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Caleb Deschanel
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: May 28, 1982 Wide
On DVD: Oct 25, 2005

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...the movie's pervasive lack of drama or tension results in a palpably flat atmosphere that proves disastrous...
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Offers plenty to appeal to children and adults, and the clever ending delivers one more treat to pay off the story's tricks.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
The Escape Artist is a riveting film about a son trying to prove himself to his father.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

An interesting movie about a young magician, and it has a good cast, but it gets real confusing at times. Good, but it could be better.
Walter M

"The Escape Artist" starts promisingly enough with teenager Danny Masters(Griffin O'Neal)walking into a newspaper office, claiming that he can break out of a jail in an hour. This makes sense considering that his father was a master escape artist which runs in the… More
"The Escape Artist" starts promisingly enough with teenager Danny Masters(Griffin O'Neal)walking into a newspaper office, claiming that he can break out of a jail in an hour. This makes sense considering that his father was a master escape artist which runs in the family as Danny runs away from his grandmother towards his Aunt Sibyl(Joan Hackett) and Uncle Burke(Gabriel Dell) who have their own stage magic act that is complicated by Sibyl's psychic abilities. All of which are the ingredients for an offbeat and winning movie but alas that's not the case here as "The Escape Artist" is undermined by pedestrian direction and Danny's convoluted involvement with municipal corruption that he first encounters when he steals a wallet from Stu Quinones(a miscast Raul Julia), the son of the mayor(Desiderio Arnaz). While one could conceivably make a case for Danny and Stu joining forces, it is a tenuous connection at best.

Cast

            Griffin O'Neal as Danny Masters

            Raul Julia as Stu Quinones

            Teri Garr as Arlene

            Joan Hackett as Aunt Sibyl

            Gabriel Dell as Uncle Burke

            Desi Arnaz as Mayor Leon Quinones

            John P. Ryan as Vernon

            Elizabeth Daily as Sandra

            M. Emmet Walsh as Fritz

            Jackie Coogan as Magic Shop Owner

            Harry Anderson as Harry Masters

            Harry Caesar as Sax player

            Helen Page Camp as Neighbor

            David Clennon as Newspaper editor

            Isabelle Cooley as Secretary at Newspaper Office

            Carlin Glynn as Treasurer's secretary

            Huntz Hall as Turnkey

            Margaret Ladd as Reporter

            Doug McGrath as Photographer

            Tom Signorelli as Mailbox cop

            Hal Williams as Cop at Mayor's office

            Sandy Gimpel as Stunt Double - Sibyl

            Garry Marshall as Drummer

            George Brengel as Water commissioner

            George Cantero as Jail trustee

            Harry Cohn as Jailmate

            Tom Mahoney as MC
See full cast