In The Clarence Courier for December 29, 1926, I found this "Necrology" listing all the notable deaths of the year. Starting in July, there is at least one recognizable name per month, including Rudolph Valentino, Todd Lincoln, Tom Thumb, Annie Oakley, Charles Ringling, and, of course, Houdini.
I'm guessing Houdini might be the only one on this list to have 14+ books written about him this year. Just saying.
On a lighter note, there were some notable births in 1926, including Jerry Lewis (March 16), Marilyn Monroe (June 1), Mel Brooks (June 28), and Jimmy Carter (October 1).
Another notable birth that year was magician Channing Pollock. His first wife will be celebrating her 100 birthday this year.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting to see those personalities who had their own inconic fame, who also passed away the same year as Houdini.
ReplyDeleteGeneral Tom Thumb, building on the fame P.T. Barnum had built for him, went out on his own starring in productions on Broadway and London, becoming so well off, he later loaned Barnum money when he was having financial problems.
Did HH ever meet Tom Thumb or Annie Oakley?
Diego Domingo
Another notable birth in 1926: Paul Lynde on June 13th.
ReplyDeleteI find it striking that Houdinis name was not listed in the very first paragraph as “best known”. It’s a lingering question for me just how famous was Houdini October of 1926? The above article was written only two months after his death.
ReplyDeleteThe listings may be by date of the month, not by fame. Annie Oakley died November 3, three days after Houdini, and she's at the "top" of November. I remember reading a Will Rogers double-eulogy on Houdini and Oakley in the same column.
DeleteValentino isn't there either. It's almost all politicians. I think there was a certain snobbery toward the "importance" of entertainers at that time. No entertainer got a statue back then.
DeleteHow dare… 😡 - Abby Martin
DeleteIf Houdini and Tom Thumb DID meet:
ReplyDeleteHarry: Sweet mother of manacles! You sure are small!
Tom Thumb: You’re not exactly reaching the top shelf yourself buddy.
Harry: (Bursts into laughter) - Abby Martin