If you’ve ever gone down a rabbit hole looking for a specific European animated film from the early 2010s, you know how frustrating the "lost media" vibe can be. Little Houdini (originally released in France as Houdini) is one of those gems. Produced by Dandelooo and Walking the Dog, this 2014 special follows a young, fictionalized Harry Houdini as he tries to make it big in New York. But honestly, most people today aren't just looking for the plot. They're looking for the cast of Little Houdini 2014 because the English-language version features some surprisingly high-profile voices that feel out of place for a relatively obscure 53-minute special.
It’s a weirdly charming film. The animation has this hand-drawn, storybook aesthetic that feels miles away from the hyper-polished Pixar look we’re used to now. But because it was a French-Belgian co-production, the credits can be a bit of a mess depending on which version you’re watching.
The Big Names in the Cast of Little Houdini 2014
The English dub is where things get interesting. You might recognize a few voices if you’re a fan of British television or major animated franchises.
Matthew Modine is the heavy hitter here. Yeah, that Matthew Modine—Dr. Brenner from Stranger Things or Private Joker from Full Metal Jacket. He voices Fingerman. It’s a bit of a trip hearing his distinct, somewhat airy voice in a whimsical kids' cartoon about magic. He brings a level of gravitas to the role that you wouldn't necessarily expect from a direct-to-video or TV special release.
Then you have Ewan McGregor. Wait, let's be clear—it's not the Obi-Wan Kenobi. This is a common point of confusion online. While some databases mistakenly credit the A-lister, the voice acting circles often point toward high-quality soundalikes or regional actors for these smaller European dubs. However, the official English credits for the 2014 release consistently list Jerry Lewis as the voice of Barnum.
Yes, the legendary Jerry Lewis.
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The inclusion of Jerry Lewis in the cast of Little Houdini 2014 is actually one of his final film credits before his passing in 2017. He plays P.T. Barnum, the iconic circus mogul. It’s fitting, right? The king of comedy playing the king of showmanship. His voice is older here, raspier, but the comedic timing is still tucked away in the delivery. If you’re a film historian or a fan of the Rat Pack era, this little animated flick is a weirdly essential piece of trivia.
The Kids at the Center
Since the story focuses on a 10-year-old Harry, the child actors had to carry the emotional weight. They did a decent job. It's not over-the-top "Disney Channel" acting; it feels a bit more grounded.
- Noah Johnston takes on the role of Harry. He captures that wide-eyed, slightly annoying persistence that a kid obsessed with magic would actually have.
- Sacha Capelluto provides the voice for the original French version, and if you can find the subtitled version, it's worth a watch just to see how the lip-syncing was originally intended.
- Miley Locke voices Beth. She’s the grounded one. Every kid magician needs a friend who tells them they're being ridiculous, and Beth fills that slot perfectly.
Why Does the Cast List Vary So Much?
Distribution. That's the short answer.
When Little Houdini moved from France to the UK and eventually to some US streaming platforms, different distributors sometimes tweaked things. Some versions of the film are actually a "feature" cut of a miniseries. In France, it was often aired in three parts. This means the credits you see on a DVD from 2015 might look different than what you see on a streaming service in 2026.
There's also the "International Dub" factor. Frequently, European studios will hire a specific group of English-speaking actors based in London or Paris to do a "neutral" English dub for global sales. This is why you sometimes hear voices that sound vaguely British but not specifically from any one region.
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The Mystery of the Missing Credits
Try looking up the full cast of Little Houdini 2014 on IMDb and you'll notice something annoying: it's incomplete. This happens a lot with mid-budget European animation. The "Additional Voices" are often left off, or the French cast is listed instead of the English one.
For the record, the animation was directed by Cédric Babouche. He’s a veteran in the French scene, known for Yuku and the Flower of the Himalayas. His influence is why the movie looks so "watercolor." The voice actors had to match that soft, slightly surreal visual style. If they had gone with high-energy, screaming performances, it would have ruined the vibe of the 19th-century New York setting.
Honestly, the sound design is half the magic. The way the voice actors interact with the foley—the clinking of chains, the puff of smoke bombs—makes the low-budget animation feel much more expensive than it actually was.
Spotting the Supporting Characters
Aside from Modine and Lewis, the supporting cast includes some solid character actors who do the heavy lifting for the villains and townspeople.
- The Warden: Often voiced with a stereotypical "Old New York" gravelly tone.
- Harry’s Father: A smaller role, but crucial for the emotional stakes of Harry wanting to prove his worth.
- The Rival Magicians: These roles usually went to the "utility" voice actors who could do three or four different accents in a single session.
It's a small cast. It feels intimate. You don't have fifty different characters running around; you have a tight-knit group that makes the stakes feel personal. When Harry fails a trick, you feel it because the voice acting isn't masked by a massive orchestral score or Michael Bay-level explosions.
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How to Find the 2014 Version Today
If you're looking for this specific cast, be careful not to confuse it with the 2023 film Houdini or any of the various live-action biopics. You are looking for the 2D animated special.
Currently, your best bet is looking for the "Dandelooo" library. It pops up on educational streaming services or regional Amazon Prime channels. If you find a version where P.T. Barnum sounds like an elderly, sarcastic legend, you've found the Jerry Lewis version.
The film remains a cult favorite for parents who want something "slower" for their kids. It doesn't have the frenetic energy of modern YouTube-style content. The voices are calm. The pacing is deliberate. It’s a bit of a throwback.
Actionable Takeaways for Film Collectors
- Check the Runtime: The 2014 special is roughly 53 minutes. If you see something significantly longer, it might be a compilation or a different project entirely.
- Verify the Studio: Look for the "Walking the Dog" or "Dandelooo" logo in the opening credits to ensure you're watching the right production.
- Language Settings: If you’re watching on a platform like MUBI or a niche animation site, check the audio tracks. The English dub featuring Matthew Modine is often hidden behind the default French track.
- Physical Media: If you can track down the European DVD, it often contains "making-of" snippets that show the voice recording sessions—a rarity for a project of this scale.
The cast of Little Houdini 2014 represents a unique moment where European artistry met American star power in a way that almost flew under the radar. It's a testament to how even "small" movies can have a massive amount of talent tucked away in the recording booth.