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I do like how Kreskin refers to Houdini as a "scientist-entertainer." Houdini would have loved that. The fact that he had contact with Houdini's "relatives, friends and associates" suggests that he could have had some gold here. (I actually never knew the famous mentalist was such a Houdini buff.)
It's a shame Kreskin's "never told" Houdini story never got told. But maybe it's not too late?
A few Kreskin factoids:
ReplyDeleteWord has it that George (Kreskin) owns one of the world's largest private libraries on Magic & the Paranormal.
Walter Gibson was a guest on Kreskin's 1970's TV Show.
At least twice during his TV Series, Kreskin performed the MailBag Escape - as a tribute of sorts to Houdini.
Has Kreskin been around a long time? Consider that his household board game came out in 1966!
He's in his sixth decade of performing....always working!
I'm a big fan of his, second only to Houdini.
I'm really chomping at the bit to know what he might have had in this book. Maybe the wave of Houdini books that hit in 1976 caused Random House to back out. But certainly there could be interest in it today, maybe from one of the speciality magic publishers? Let's dust that manuscript off and get it into print!
ReplyDeleteJohn, I couldn't agree more. I can personally say that when I met him in person in 1998 here in Toms River, NJ, he was such a lovely and fun polite man. We were both appearing for a charity event for a local hospital, and I was hosting a television series back then on TV 21 NJ where I am an occasional producer. I had no idea he was on the bill so it was both a lovely surprise and an honor to stand next to him center stage, and the audience loved him. So, yes let's hope for that book to get published.
DeleteI'm also wondering about the contents of that manuscript. Kreskin had access to many who still knew Houdini. Who knows what Houdini information they might have shared with him that remains unpublished. The unknown is what makes it all exciting.
ReplyDeleteHello Leo, I completely agree. Fingers crossed.
DeleteWe need to get that manuscript published.
ReplyDeleteKreskin was a neighbor of mine in NJ for a few years. Great guy in person. I would think if he really had a story to tell the book would have already been published. He is no spring chicken. I am sure he has anecdotes/snippets of info we would find very interesting based on his relationships with people such as Gibson who actually knew Houdini.
ReplyDelete1976 was a rough year to get something published because of the huge wave of bicentennial books. (I know because my third book,The Sports Book, got buried that year.) FWIW, around 1994 I interviewed Kreskin on CNN about his books and he did not mention anything on Houdini.
ReplyDeleteI am sure he has a few new stories to tell but cant believe its enough to fill a book.
ReplyDeleteThe year was 1998 when, in Toms River, NJ, The Amazing Kreskin was on a bill to appear before an audience at the Ocean County Mall hosted by Clinque cosmetics on behalf of the well-known Deborah Heart and Lung Hospital, for a fundraiser. I know because I was the other (although much lesser known) celebrity (for my mystical Yours Truly, Yoga series on the local educational channel. Mystical because I arrived on the screen with a flying carpet as if by magic. I had no idea that I would be standing next to Kreskin waiting on cue to be introduced to the audience right after him who, by the way, was totally delightful. I was so thrilled then because I had no idea he would be there, and now, thanks to John Cox, I'm even more thrilled to know about Kreskin's connection to The Great Harry Houdini and to have my own tiny magical connection to both. Let's hope that we get to know what The Amazing Kreskin was writing about.
ReplyDeleteSad news today that Kreskin has passed away. Was this book real, or just a publicity stunt? We may now never know.
ReplyDelete