The Daily Mail has a very interesting profile of Charles Morritt, who made several illusions for Houdini, including his famous Vanishing Elephant:
While Houdini performed his illusions, Morritt spent World War I touring the provinces. One evening he appeared in Houdini's dressing room. "Of course," he said, as Houdini peered in the mirror, applying greasepaint for the stage lights, "if you really want to make headlines with your magic, you shouldn't bother with little tricks like rabbits and pigeons. Make an elephant disappear."
Houdini remonstrated that even if the necessary equipment could be devised, having an elephant on stage would hardly be practical.
"I've got a very efficient way to do it," retorted Morritt.
Click on the headline to read the full story at
The Daily Mail.
There is currently a scale model of the Morritt Vanishing Elephant at the Jewish Museum of Maryland. http://jewishmuseummd.org/single/inescapable-the-life-and-legacy-of-harry-houdini/
ReplyDeleteI am aware of the authenticity, because I am the constructor.