Here's a video of Robin Fox's recreation of the infamous Houdini-Hodgson challenge during the UKEA convention at Shrewsbury Prison last weekend. The purpose of my "challenge" was to gain a better understanding of exactly how Houdini was manacled, and they certainly did that! Enjoy.
Thanks to Dave Cox for the kind shoutout to my site. There are some excellent escape and Houdini-related videos on Dave's YouTube channel, CoxysPicks. I recommend having a browse. And a big congratulations to Robin Fox and the UKEA for successfully re-staging this historic escape.
That was so awesome to watch! Now I have an idea for how the Hodgson Challenge went! This must’ve been so painful for Houdini. Especially of him being young and it’s only a few years into his official escapology career! - Abby Martin
ReplyDeleteHe had been doing escape work for a good 7-8 years at this point. But it was only a few years into his fame.
DeleteAh. Gotcha! 😊 - Abby Martin
DeleteDefinitely painful! I'm sure his arms were sore for at least two weeks. In hindsight he probably realized that escaping from manacles in a torturous position wasn't really necessary for his vaudeville act. There are limits. I believe he didn't allow anything around his neck that could strangle him.
ReplyDeleteHis arms where ravaged. Reporters at this time commented on the scars. It wasn't long after this that Houdini said, "There are limits to what I can do, and what you can do."
DeleteDefinitely reached his limit! Some things aren't worth the money.
DeleteHow big were the scars John? Are they noticeable on his arms? I know he was very muscular and had veins. Where would the scars be? - Abby Martin
DeleteThe reporter's description said his forearms looked like he had been clawed by a tiger. This was not long after the challenge, so they likely faded with time.
DeleteAwwwww poor thing! 😭 - Abby Martin
DeleteOf course Houdini claimed that Hodgson's locks had been tampered with which would make escape even more impossible.
ReplyDeleteI thought they were tampered with. - Abby Martin
DeleteYes, according to HH, the locks had been plugged. The manacles were also wrapped in twine, which made them fit tighter. Houdini wouldn't have been able to slip them. There was also something described as an "elevator" in the back that allowed Hodgson to ratchet the chains so everything tightened to the max. When Hodgson was done, Houdini could not move.
DeleteWhy would Hodgson do that? 😭 - Abby Martin
DeleteHodgson played dirty to win the contest. It's a no brainer.
Delete*adds him to my “List of People I Want to Punch In The Afterlife” J. Gordon Whitehead is on the top* - Abby Martin
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