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American Experience

Season 12 Episode 7: Nixon's China Game

36 SeasonsJan 24, 2000TV-PG55m6.9

Mandy Patinkin narrates a biography of Harry Houdini (1874-1926) that focuses on his amazing feats (later ones are seen in clips; others are re-created) and the obsessions---notably his mother and death---that shaped his personality. "Escapology" was also high on the list. "He was so insanely devoted to what he did," observes author E.L. Doctorow, "that the ultimate insanity of his life never occurred to him."

American Experience background

Season 12 Episodes:

Episode 6 Eleanor Roosevelt

6. Eleanor Roosevelt

Aired: Jan 10, 2000

For more than thirty years, Eleanor Roosevelt was America's most powerful wom...

Episode 7 Nixon's China Game

7. Nixon's China Game

Aired: Jan 24, 2000

Mandy Patinkin narrates a biography of Harry Houdini (1874-1926) that focuses...

Episode 9 The Duel

9. The Duel

Aired: Feb 14, 2000

This episode analyzes the reasons for and the consequences of the duel betwee...

Episode 11 Houdini

11. Houdini

Aired: Apr 23, 2000

A haunting two-part profile of George Wallace, who, says narrator Randy Quaid...


Info about American Experience

Current Status: Currently Airing

Network: PBS

Production Country: United States

Genres:Documentary, History, Biography