While on a recent research trip for my next book, I passed through Boston, which is a fantastic city for Houdini locations. Among these is the site of Keith's Theatre, where Houdini appeared many times and did so many famous feats, including his escape from a sea monster. However, identifying the theater's location can be tricky. Most photos and vintage postcards (such as the above) show an impressive entrance on Tremont Street. This is what stands on that site today.
However, this was not the theater. This was just a facade built along the well-trafficked street that led patrons into an arcade and through a tunnel under Mason Street, bringing them up into the actual theater on Washington Street.
Below is the original building on Washington Street that once housed Houdini's Keith's Theatre. You can see a billboard above it listing the many venues that once occupied the building, including Keith's (I didn't even notice this billboard when I was taking this pic).
The pic below shows a different perspective. On one side of the building is the Paramount Theater. This is where the Adams House Hotel once stood. Houdini stayed at Adams House whenever he was in Boston. It was there that he took the first of his famous ice baths. On the other side is the current Opera House, which was once called the B.F. Keith's Theater. But this was a newer Keith's, opened in 1928, so don't be fooled by this one, especially as it resembles the Tremont Street facade.
This wasn't my only stop. I've shared a series of videos on my Patreon exploring the other locations, including the location of Houdini's famed "Boston Tombs" jailbreak, which I think might come as a real surprise to most folks. I know it was a surprise to me!
If you're a patron, you can continue the tour below.
Still need more Houdini in Boston? Below are a few links you might enjoy.
Here's a nice holiday gift idea. "The Dream Big Folio: Houdini’s Illusion That Inspired David Copperfield" is a new release by History By Mail. Below is a photo and details.
Step into the moment that redefined what humans believe is possible.
Dream Big Folio – Houdini’s Illusion That Inspired David Copperfield brings you inside the legendary 1918 Vanishing Elephant performance at the New York Hippodrome—an act so audacious it later inspired a young David Copperfield to imagine making the moon disappear.
This folio is built around one extraordinary centerpiece: a replica of Houdini’s original letter to Harry Kellar, preserved exclusively in David Copperfield’s International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, the world’s largest private collection of magic memorabilia. Kellar, widely known as the “Dean of American Magicians,” was the most celebrated magician in the United States before Houdini and one of Houdini’s early heroes and mentors. The original letter resides only in Copperfield’s museum.
Everything in the folio is designed to give you the same spark Copperfield describes in his letter—the spark that later helped fuel some of the most iconic illusions in modern history.
You can purchase "The Dream Big Folio: Houdini’s Illusion That Inspired David Copperfield" at the History By Mail website.
Here's a nice find from the October 18, 1976 Welland Evening Tribune. This photo was taken at the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Canada, which was preparing to host the 50th anniversary Houdini seance that year.
On public view for the first time, as part of the seance paraphernalia, will be Houdini's famous "Mirror Handcuffs." Prized by Houdini while he lived, since his death, they have been a part of a private collection held by a niece of Houdini's in New Jersey. The sterling silver handcuffs are engraved:
"Presented to Harry Houdini, The Handcuff King, by the Daily Illustrated Mirror, London, as a memento of his success in escaping from the celebrated Mirror Handcuffs, March 17, 1904."
The article says these are the engraved silver replicas. I don't know whether the working cuffs came at the same time, but I know the museum had both when I saw them on display in 1990. Today, both are in David Copperfield's International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts in Las Vegas.
I'm actually more intrigued by the pouch holding the handcuffs and a photo from the challenge with what may be Houdini's handwriting. Does this pouch date back to Houdini? Is it still around today?
Want more? This month's Patreon reward is a searchable PDF of the 32-page souvenir booklet published by the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame during its 27 years in business. Just click below to claim.
Star Weekly reports that a roadside monument commemorating Houdini's historic first flight in Australia has been destroyed for a second time this year.
The historic plaque was first established in Diggers Rest with help from the local Lions Club in 1990. The Melton council had the monument rebuilt in March after hearing of the first destruction. Melton Lions Club member and former president Greg James is saddened to see the monument destroyed once again.
“I was there when it was first put there – it took a lot of effort from the Lions Club,” he said.
“It’s a valuable monument for the aviation industry and for Australia. To see it destroyed I was devastated, absolutely devastated.”
Residents believe the most damage is caused by vandals, while tire marks on the road lead others to believe the damage was caused by "hooning," an Australian term describing a person who deliberately drives a vehicle in a reckless or dangerous manner to provoke a reaction from onlookers.
Greg James said locals want the monument restored.
“We want it back. The local residents and Lions club members are disappointed that it’s like this.”
Here's a nice article by Matt Jaworowski at WOOD TV about Houdini's suspended straitjacket escape in Grand Rapids on November 29, 1916. Click the headline or the image below to have a read.
While Houdini's 1916 Grand Rapids appearance is the most celebrated, the city was a regular stop during his struggling years. "The Houdinis" were very popular at Smith's Opera House and generally treated as stars. So it's fair to say Grand Rapids was one of the first cities to embrace the Handcuff King. (You can read more about Houdini's early Grand Rapids appearances in Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini 1897-1899.)
How's that for a clickbait headline? See, I can play that game! Really, this should be headlined, "Houdini was headed back to Buffalo in 1926." But that's not nearly as provocative. But now that you're here, here's the story.
During his 1925-26 season of "3 Shows in One," Houdini played the Shubert-Teck Theatre in Buffalo, New York. I recently discovered that Houdini planned to return to the Teck for his 1926-27 season. Check out the below from the Sept. 2, 1926 Buffalo News.
The Buffalo News, Sept. 2, 1926.
Going by the "tentative" schedule, this would have put Houdini at the Shubert-Teck during the week of October 18, following the close of Gay Paree. But that didn't happen. Instead, Houdini went to Montreal, and we all know what happened there! (If you don't, punch this link.)
But guess who did open in Buffalo on October 18? Harry Blackstone.
Buffalo Courier Express, Oct. 17, 1926.
Blackstone played the Lafayette Theater this week in conjunction with the movie The Four Horsemen starring Rudolph Valentino. He even accepted a challenge packing box escape from the Nash-Buffalo Motor Corp.
The Buffalo Times, Oct. 21, 1926.
Did Houdini change his route to avoid a head-to-head with Blackstone in Buffalo? The Vagabond King, which had opened at the Teck on the 18th, was held over for a second week, suggesting the theater did have an open week on their schedule.
So did Blackstone kill Houdini?
It's also possible we have these backwards. It could be Houdini canceled his Buffalo appearance for reasons unknown, and Blackstone decided to swoop in and give Buffalonians the magic and escapes they had been anticipating.
Another one to investigate.
Want more? You can read the various newspaper clippings I gathered for this post as a "Scholar" member of my Patreon below.
The Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin, which holds the largest public archive of Houdini material in the world, has added Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini 1897-1899 to its collection. I like to think the Harry Ransom Center is pretty discerning about what it brings into its world-class collection, so this is an honor. Also, if you live in the Austin area and can't afford the book, here's a great way to still use it in your studies. Just click below.
Of course, you can purchase Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini, 1897-1899 for your own library at Mike Caveney's Magic Words.
For more Harry Ransom Center action, check out the links below.
Here's some big news. Noted collector Dr. Timothy Moore has sold his entire magic collection, which includes many Houdini treasures, to The Hand & The Eye, a new Magic Castle-like magic venue set to open in Chicago in 2026. Below is a video from WOSU showcasing items in the collection.
Nice video, but what's with that nasty AI-generated Houdini poster in the thumbnail image? Certainly, that is not part of the collection.
According to a report at Galerie, The Hand & The Eye is the creation of Chicago native and magic enthusiast David Rockwell, and will be housed in the famed McCormick Mansion, a 36,000-square-foot estate located at 100 E Ontario Street. You can sign up for updates at the official website.
Here's something interesting. In June 1927, Hardeen played the Golden Gate Theater in San Francisco. This was his first tour as "Houdini's Successor." Houdini had played the Golden Gate in 1923. The theater still stands today, and it occurred to me this might be the only surviving theater where both Houdini and Hardeen appeared?
Hardeen also played the Hillstreet theater in Los Angeles, where Houdini appeared in 1923. However, the Hillstreet is long gone.
It would be fun to find all the shared theatres that the two brothers played and see if any of those, besides the Golden Gate, still stand. But that's fun I'll leave for someone else.
Here's another reason to get excited about 2026. The New England Magic Collectors Association (NEMCA) has announced the dates and location for its next "Yankee Gathering" convention. Word is there will be a fair amount of Houdini action. Save the date!
The SAM Parent Assembly #1 held its annual wand-breaking ceremony at Houdini's gravesite on November 14. This long-standing tradition dates back to Houdini's funeral in 1926. Rabbi Noah Valley conducted the Hebrew portion of the ceremony for many decades. It is now conducted by magician Benjilini, who kindly provided these images.
The SAM used to do the wand-breaking ceremony on Halloween. But it was feared that the ceremony was drawing too much attention to the gravesite and was leading to vandalism. It was decided to hold the ceremony on the date of Houdini's death on the Jewish calendar. But I am hoping the ceremony moves back to Halloween for the 100th next year.
The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville has a new exhibit, "Unexpected Company," showcasing famous names who have appeared at the historic venue. Houdini appeared at the Ryman with his spiritualism lecture on March 11, 1924, and a pair of handcuffs he is said to have used are part of the display.
Today is an important anniversary for me. It was 50 years ago, on November 16, 1975, that I saw the Tony Curtis Houdini biopic on television. Two hours later, I was a changed person. The story of Houdini had captivated me. But even at the age of 10, I knew movies were just entertainment. They didn't offer the truth. So I set out to learn as much as I could about this amazing man.
Fifty years later, I'm here to tell you that I'm DONE. Yes, I learned everything about Houdini! Now it's time to get it out of my head and into your hands.
I'm therefore thrilled to announce THE ULTIMATE HOUDINI CHRONOLOGY, a three-volume set of books in which I will follow Houdini through every engagement he ever played, every escape he ever performed, and every significant moment of his life. If you enjoyed Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini 1897-1899, know that was just an appetizer for the multi-course meal I'm cooking up now!
But wait, it gets better.
These books will be official presentations of David Copperfield's International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts. As such, David has given me carte blanche to use anything in his collection to realize my dream of creating the most complete and accurate account of Houdini's life and career ever published. This, combined with material from several other major collections, has enabled me to gather a truly mind-bending amount of unseen Houdini images to bring the text to life.
The good news is that this is not some far-off future project. The first volume, HANDCUFF KING: THE RISE OF HARRY HOUDINI, which chronicles the years 1900-1909, is largely complete and will be released in 2026. It runs 600 pages and is packed with new information and more photos than I can count. I'm designing the book myself and working hard to make it the Houdini book of my dreams. I think it will be the Houdini book of your dreams as well.
My plan is to publish these books as limited edition hardcovers under my own imprint, Wild About Harry Press. I will soon be launching a new retail website where you can buy the books directly from me. I'm talking to Mike Caveney about offering a Deluxe Edition, because no one does Deluxe Editions like Mike!
Watch this blog and my Patreon in the coming months for more details. I'm excited about launching this new era and completing what I set out to accomplish fifty years ago today. Because I'm still wild about Harry! And so are you.
Here's a late-in-the-year treat. Our friend Chuck Romano from My Magic Uncle has published a new book, Houdini vs. The Spiritualists: A Battle on Capitol Hill. Below is a description:
A gripping account of the world's greatest magician, Harry Houdini, as he waged war against the spiritualists on Capitol Hill. Here magic met politics and illusion collided with truth.
In 1926, a dramatic conflict arose in the chambers of the United States Congress concerning not tariffs or taxes, but the regulation of fortune telling and the supernatural. What began as a seemingly obscure piece of legislation soon drew national attention as the famed magician and escape artist Harry Houdini stepped into the spotlight to lead a crusade against fraudulent spiritualists.
This book provides the complete transcript of the four days of hearings and offers a detailed examination of the proceedings and individuals involved. Its contents shed light on these extraordinary hearings, where belief and skepticism clashed, and Congress became an unexpected venue for one of the most unusual confrontations in American history.
Houdini vs. The Spiritualists: A Battle on Capitol Hill can be purchased at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
Here's a nice article by Brianna Morris-Grant at ABC Australia, which ran on October 30. It quotes me, so I'm returning the favor! Click the headline or the image below to read.
One of the exciting pieces of news to come out of the 99th anniversary celebrations was Thomas Ewing's announcement that next year he and David Haversat's 1878 Press will publish a hitherto unknown Houdini manuscript by the late William V. Rauscher. The book is called Houdini Revealed and was written by Rev. Rauscher in the 1990s. Here's a preview:
How did Houdini become the magical folk hero, the symbol of escape from the chains of oppression, poverty and rejection? What circumstances brought him into the final spotlight of world prominence? What was the force behind his aggressive personality? Can we really understand the mind of the driven master mystifier? In exhausting efforts to sculpture his own image, did he leave us the mystery of himself?
You are invited to journey back in time, to a different way of life to grow up living as he did, searching for opportunity in an era we may have forgotten. His countless escapes and magic tricks on and off stage were but the surface of a whole world of happenings. We may never know all the hidden side of Houdini’s mind but in this book, I will attempt to reveal some workings of his inner self.
Houdini Revealed joins a growing list of new Houdini books scheduled or released for 2026 (12 by my current count). It's going to be a big year!
We are now officially inside the 100th anniversary of the final year of Houdini's life. Where did Houdini (unknowingly) begin his final year? Ironically, he spent Halloween sick in bed with a cold. But the next day, he opened his 3 Shows in One at the Hanna Theater in Cleveland, Ohio.
It was a typically eventful week. Houdini faced off with a challenge packing a case from the Bailey Company. He also battled Cleveland's mediums and performed for children at the Sunbeam School for Crippled Children.
This was Houdini's first and last appearance at the Hanna (which still stands today). But this was to be the theater Houdini would have played after his Detroit engagement in 1926.
Heads up that Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini 1897-1899 is now available at Potter & Potter's Quicker Than The Eye store. Just click below to make the escape.
When Houdini died on Halloween 1926, his brother Theo Hardeen inherited his show and came out of retirement. Dash had a healthy career as a "Handcuff King" from 1900 to 1917. He then hung up the handcuffs to help run Houdini's ill-fated film factory. But now he was headed back to the stage. As far as I know, this poster was the first touting Hardeen as Houdini's successor. This appears in Ken Trombly's new book The Art of Magic.
Ken Trombly Collection
However, Hardeen's inheritance was not unconditional. Houdini's Will contained a curious stipulation that I rarely see discussed. Hardeen could only inherit the show if his sons were confirmed in the Jewish faith within three months. I recently came across an article in which Hardeen himself explained the reasons behind this.
The Herald Statesman, Nov 16, 1926.
Hardeen appears to have adhered to his late brother's wish, and he began his tour on January 17, 1927, in Bridgeport, CT. He continued to perform as "Houdini Legal Successor" until his own death in 1945.
While none of Hardeen's children or their offspring went into magic, we are fortunate today to have his grandson, George Hardeen, son of Harry Hardeen, looking after the legacy of Houdini and his grandfather.
The Official Houdini Séance was held this year at the new House of Magic in Glenside, Pennsylvania. The medium was Scott Wells, and the seance was open to the public this year. Did Houdini return? Apparently not, but a good time was had by all. Below is a collection of photos courtesy of John Costello.
Waiting for Harry.
The Inner Circle gathers.
Tom Boldt, Bill Radner, and the Séance Cuffs.
Medium Scott Wells getting into the spirit.
Barry Spector's creations.
"We are a very determined group." - Bill Radner
Inner Circle attendees were Paul Rosen, Scott Wells, Bruce Averbook, Tom Boldt, Bill Radner, Marc DeSouza, Deborah Hardeen Bloom, Barry Spector, and Fred Pittella.
Here's looking forward to 2026 and the 100th anniversary of Houdini's death. Maybe Harry is too!
Halloween and the 99th are behind us. Now begins our march toward the 100th and the "Year of Houdini." Looks like the History Museum in Appleton is already taking the lead.
It was my great honor to once again be a guest on Scott Wells' The Magic Word Podcast. And this time Banjoe got in on the action! Or at least he tried.
CONCLUDING my scene-by-scene dissection of Houdini (1953) on this, the 99th anniversary of Houdini's death. Last time, Harry agreed to cut his Pagoda Torture Cell from his Halloween show. But can he resist giving the audience "more?"
Chapter 24: The End
It's Halloween!
Houdini has returned to the stage and is giving the audience thrills that made him famous. We drop into the full evening show as Houdini escapes from a barrel. Applause greets Harry's appearance from the cabinet. By the way, the Halloween imagery we see on the stage is accurate. Houdini used Halloween-like iconography during his final tours (see this poster).
We then move quickly to the next escape as Otto announces, "Houdini has been challenged to escape from a steel straitjacket." For some reason, Otto is the one who does all the talking onstage. This is certainly not accurate, but I like how it harkens back to the buzzsaw scene at Coney Island.
Two men in the audience come forward with the steel jacket. (If anyone knows the names of these actors, I'd love to hear it.) This scene is a favorite as the steel straitjacket has become iconic in its own right. Dunninger provided the prop and claimed it was used by Houdini himself. But I've found no evidence of this. By the way, "Here goes the coat again," is something the real Houdini would sometimes say onstage.
As always, the magic is performed for real in a single shot. Under the cover of his cape, Houdini/Tony Curtis is free in less than a minute. "Better luck next time," he says to the stunned men. It's great stuff, but I don't love the decision to lay in sound effects during his escape. Also, if you have a keen eye, you will see that part of the gaff is exposed as Houdini hands the jacket back to the men.
Houdini is then brought his traditional magician's cape and top hat, two things the real Houdini never wore onstage, but it neatly evokes his stature as THE Master Magician. He then gives his farewell address:
"You're really a wonderful audience, and I do want to thank you for this heartwarming welcome you've given me on my return to the stage. I do hope I pleased you, and that you'll be coming back to see me again and again. And each time you do come back, I promise you bigger and better thrills. Good night, and thank you very much."
As Houdini leaves the stage, the audience begins to shout for "more." Mixed into the applause are some shouts, "What about the Torture Cell? Why don't you do what you promised?" Houdini hears this as he heads into the wings. "Don't listen to them, they are never satisfied," says Otto. Houdini then steps into a nice close-up and says, "I can't." He tells Otto to, "Get the Torture Cell ready."
Houdini dashes into his dressing room and quickly prepares for the encore. He turns sharply and collides with the blunt handle of a prop sword. Right in the appendix! He collapses in pain. This is our substitute for the famous punch from J. Gordon Whitehead, who was still alive when this movie was made. I've heard it said that this is why the filmmakers decided not to dramatize the punch incident itself.
In the auditorium, the curtains re-opens on the bubbling Pagoda Torture Cell as the orchestra plays an ominous waltz. Bess dashes from her box as Houdini appears on stage in his bathing suit. The men who just challenged Houdini are invited back on stage to assist, but this time there is no levity. The mood is as somber as a funeral.
As Houdini is secured in the stocks and raised above the cell, we intercut with Bess, trying to get to the stage, but the doors are locked. She bangs on the glass, but cannot be heard. Back on stage, Houdini takes several deep breaths, then he goes down into the cell as the clock and Otto begin to count off the seconds.
We have some nice Houdini POV shots of the audience through glass. But how I wish these shots were upside down! (See below). Interestingly, the curtain does not conceal the cell entirely; it only conceals the top. There is some evidence that Houdini did perform a version of the Water Torture Cell that was partially visible to the audience.
Having given up on the stage door, Bess now runs around to the front of the theater and enters through the main doors. Meanwhile, things on the stage are not going as planned. Houdini seems unable to maneuver in the confined space. He grits his teeth and appears to grow frantic. That's when Bess appears in the back of the house, just in time to see her husband fall limp with a stream of bubbles flowing from his mouth. Bess screams.
Otto then uses a fire axe to smash the cell glass in a spectacular shot. It appears actor Torin Thatcher is doing this himself, which seems pretty risky. Houdini's limp body is dragged from the cell as pandemonium erupts and the curtains close.
As Houdini is lying on the stage, Bess appears at his side. Houdini coughs and says weakly, "I'll come back, Bess. If there's a way, I'll come back. I'll come back."
Wait a minute!
Time out. The number one criticism of Houdini (1953) is that it depicts Houdini dying in his Pagoda Torture Cell. But that's not what happens here. If Houdini can talk, he's not drowned. He's alive and, presumably, he will now go to the hospital, where it will be discovered that his appendix has ruptured. So he will die in the hospital due to the results of a ruptured appendix, just as he did in real life. All we saw here was an accident, which is not entirely fictional. Houdini did have an accident in the Water Torture Cell during his last days, although not as dramatic as the one depicted here.
The entire premise of this series is that when you put each scene of this movie under the microscope, it is actually far more accurate than it is given credit for. This biggest "inaccuracy" and is actually the best example of this. And it is the last.
Okay, back to the movie.
"I'll come back, Bess. I'll come back."
Of course, this is a reference to the pact Houdini and Bess made that if it were possible to come back from the dead, he would try to do so. As Houdini repeats his promise, the camera moves away, traveling like a ghost past onlookers who seem frozen in place -- frozen in time. The camera drifts into the backstage area and settles on an old but familiar poster of the young Houdini from "Schultz's Dime Museum," and we understand just how far he has come and how high he has risen in this mysterious world of magic. Over this image appears: "The End."
There are no credits; just a repeat of the Paramount logo. Then fade to black.
Here's a standing ovation for the greatest Houdini biopic of them all. Houdini (1953). May it live forever!
%20copy.jpg)
