Monday, December 24, 2012

Quotable Houdini


"It's not egotism, Hilliar; it's Houdini-ism."

-- Houdini to his friend William J. Hilliar after Hilliar "chided him about his egotism." From Billboard, November 25, 1933.

6 comments:

  1. If Houdini meant anything by his remark, except being defensive, he might have meant that he needed, above all else, to believe in himself if he was to put over his physically and mentally strenuous act; and he needed to believe in showman's ballyhoo. As one biographer said, Houdini was like Barnum but he had only himself to promote, not a circus.

    As an aside, what is the man wearing? Is it a robe or a smoking jacket, and what makes him think it goes with a hat?

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    Replies
    1. There's more to this quote and, yes, it's about his belief in himself and his ability to "put over" his act. Something about how if he believes he's the greatest, people will believe it as well.

      Not sure what the heck he's wearing!

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  2. on what my grandmother told me he had to be the best, he did not like to come in second.

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  3. FYI, I'm working on a post about "Houdini and Hilliar" and I'll include more of this quote there.

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    Replies
    1. Here we go. Includes the full quote: http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2013/01/houdini-and-hilliar.html

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