• Rating:
• Genre: Drama
• Movie Type: Detective Film
• Themes: Mischievous Children, Amateur Sleuths
• Director: Caleb Deschanel
• Main Cast: Griffin O'Neal, Raul Julia, Teri Garr, Joan Hackett, Gabriel Dell
• Release Year: 1982
• Country: US
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• MPAA Rating: PG

Plot

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, All Movie Guide

Cast

• Griffin O'Neal - Danny Masters
• Raul Julia - Stu Quinones
• Teri Garr - Arlene
• Joan Hackett - Aunt Sibyl
• Gabriel Dell - Uncle Burke

Desi Arnaz - Mayor Leon Quinones; John Ryan - Vernon; Elizabeth Daily - Sandra; M. Emmet Walsh - Fritz; Jackie Coogan - Magic Shop Owner; Harry Anderson - Harry Masters; Harry Caesar - Sax player; Helen Page Camp - Neighbor; David Clennon - Newspaper editor; Isabelle Cooley - Secretary at Newspaper Office; Carlin Glynn - Treasurer's secretary; Huntz Hall - Turnkey; Margaret Ladd - Reporter; Doug McGrath - Photographer; Tom Signorelli - Mailbox cop; Hal Williams - Cop at Mayor's office; Sandy Gimpel - Stunt Double - Sibyl; Garry Marshall - Drummer; George Brengel - Water commissioner; George Cantero - Jail trustee; Harry Cohn - Jailmate; Tom Mahoney - MC

Credit

Stephen H. Burum - Cinematographer; Doug Claybourne - Producer; Francis Ford Coppola - Executive Producer; Georges Delerue - Composer (Music Score); Caleb Deschanel - Director; Angelo P. Graham - Art Director; Gloria Gresham - Costume Designer; Melissa Mathison - Screenwriter; James Murakami - Art Director; George R. Nelson - Set Designer; Fred Roos - Executive Producer; Arthur Schmidt - Editor; Dean Tavoularis - Production Designer; Michael Haley - First Assistant Director; Buck Houghton - Producer; Stephen Zito - Screenwriter; James Webb - Sound/Sound Designer; Chris McLaughlin - Sound/Sound Designer; David Wagoner - Book Author