Houdini in 1900
This Memorial Day marks the 116th anniversary of Houdini's first trip to Europe on May 30, 1900. To mark the occasion, here's a look back at that all-important year.
This post is now retired. But you will be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1900 in my upcoming book.
So the current consensus is that the Scotland Yard episode was a fabrication?
ReplyDeleteI think Cirnoc was a plant to help HH jumpstart his European career. HH wasn't going to take a chance and have his Alhambra debut without some fireworks.
Finding challengers to challenge him was in and of itself a challenge.
I wouldn't say there's on consensus on that, no. I don't think anyone has really pressed the issue except for me in the post that I linked to above. We debated it pretty good in the comments.
DeleteThe Cirnoc thing certainly does sound like a set-up. Hard to tell. I believe even Pat Culliton, who has a real nose for these set-ups, isn't sure about Cirnoc.
I think Professor Silverman was the first to downplay the role of the Scotland Yard story in Houdini!!!. That something possibly happened there before the Alhambra debut.
ReplyDeleteI love that postcard of the S.S. Kensington. Nice touch.
I think you're right. That's why I love that book so much. No sacred cows. If he couldn't independently verify it, it didn't go in the book.
DeleteExactly! That is why I also love this book and consider it my Houdini bible. Silverman doesn't take anything at face value and often speculates on the reasons why HH would behave in a certain way.
ReplyDelete