The movie industry was in its infancy when pioneer filmmaker Charles Pathé approached Houdini and asked if he would be the subject of a 10-minute experimental film in 1901.

Houdini's first picture, Merveilleux Exploits du Célébre Houdini à Paris (Wonderful Adventures of the Famous Houdini in Paris) featured Houdini performing several of his famous escapes, including a jailbreak and a straitjacketescape.

Years later, Houdini starred in five adventure movies, including two that he made with his own production company, Houdini Film Corporation.