Review of The Man from Beyond (1922) by Greg W — 09 Jul 2013

High melodrama that did not keep my interest. The acting and camera composition are not very inventive. Houdini's character, Howard Hillary, does a couple escapes and stunts as expected. Two Arctic explorers, Dr.

Sinclair and Duval, find Houdini's body frozen and discover he's been there in stasis for 100 years. We gradually hear Hillary's story. He was first mate to a jealous captain on an 1820's ship and Hillary loved a girl named Felice.

Hillary is brought back to 1920s society, but his culture shock is never really explored. Dr. Sinclair's brother-in-law Dr. Strange has gone missing. Sinclair's niece and Strange's daughter coincidentally is named Felice.

Strange's neighbor, Dr. Trent, wishes to marry Felice, but Hillary mistakes her for his love and interrupts the ceremony. Trent is revealed to be a villain, but Hillary is a surprise variable in his plans.

Houdini and Connelly, who plays both versions of Felice do have a couple good scenes. The action is not very thrilling because you can easily see through the camera tricks. Ultimately, the theme is whether those involved believe in reincarnation.