The 100th year is going gangbusters, with new books, documentaries, and plans for a seance at 278. But there's one blight on an otherwise celebratory year. Houdini's grave in Machpelah Cemetery has never looked worse. Mold is spreading across the excedra. It's heartbreaking that this year, when so many people are visiting the grave, photographing it, and filming there (such as the Dynamo special), it looks like this.
The good news is that mold is not hard to clean, and thanks to the generous donations to the Houdini grave fund, the SAM has the money to do so. So, along with honoring Houdini at their annual convention in Appleton this year, maybe the SAM can send a cleaning crew out to the grave ASAP. Let's make Houdini look his best for the 100th!
Thanks to Colleen Bak, author of Pins & Needles: Love Letters to a Dead Magician, for the pic.
UPDATE: S.A.M. clarifies Houdini grave upkeep responsibilities (spoiler alert: it's not them).
UPDATE 2: Good news! Dorothy Dietrich is on the case, and the grave will be cleaned very soon. Also, it's not in as bad a shape as this photo makes it look. The rain makes it look worse. But it still needs a good cleaning, and it's going to get done. Dorothy also wants to arrange regular cleaning. Remember, if you want to contribute directly to the fund that does stuff like this, do so by clicking below.
UPDATE 3: Done! Houdini's grave is ready for its closeup!
Thank you, Dorothy Dietrich and David Haversat.
Any updates on the repair of the cracks in the back of the Exedra?
ReplyDeleteNothing.
Delete(Gasp!) I’ll clean it! I’ll do anything!! 🤩 - Abby Martin
ReplyDeleteAs someone who did cemetery restoration up here in Mendocino use this product so as not to damage the stone/marble of any cemetery monument: /D-2-Biological-Solution-Reusable-Spray-Bottle-32-Fluid-Ounce/. You'd be amazed at how much damage is done with good intentions but lack of archeological preservation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info, Larrian. I will pass it on. I use something similar in my backyard. Just spray it on, and the mold vanishes. In fact, I used it once, and the mold never came back!
DeleteBTW, people should NOT take this as a call to action and go out there and clean the grave themselves. It needs to be done professionally so the stone isn't damaged, and the SAM will do it.
ReplyDeleteYes sir. 😞 - Abby Martin
DeleteAs a matter of fact, no one CAN just go out there to clean or do any work at the HOUDINI gravesite. A call to their office will confirm that only the maintenance crew or someone with express permission by the cemetery office may do any work in that cemetery. Even a professional cemetery cleaning crew cannot just waltz on in and work on the site. Express permission must be arranged through the Machpelah cemetery office. Now, I'm certain that Dorothy and Dave had permission get in there, but I thought that soap and water was not the answer to cleaning the gravesite and may cause other damage since I'm reading above that special mold removing safe substances are typically used. Especially, John that for you it never came back. So why would they not have used an approved substance to help extend all that hard work they just did. The mold will be back...like the terminator!!
DeleteThat is a huge relief to know that SAM has a fund and can do right by the gravesite. HH clearly felt strongly about the up-keep of the graves of fellow magicians during his lifetime, and it only seems right that his own is maintained.
ReplyDelete—Colleen
Yes indeed. Of course, there is important restoration work that needs to be done as well, but a basic cleaning is so important this year when the spotlight is on the grave. I look forward to reporting when it is done.
DeleteAgreed
DeleteWell said!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI’ve visited Houdinis grave many times beginning in the mid 1980’s. I’ve never seen it look this bad.
ReplyDeleteSame here.
DeleteI never want to see this again, who the hell is in charge?
ReplyDeleteThis is a joke when today Houdini photos sold for over 20K,
Potter and Potter Auctions crazy money today
There’s a ton of Houdini people with deep pockets,
Once a month, some maintenance?
DC should send a crew over there immediately,
They have the money to do this. It just needs to happen. Regular maintenance is a great idea. I'm sure the cemetery has someone who does that. Perpetual care is part of the cemetery business.
DeletePart of the problem is when some cemeteries expend their endowments, go bankrupt and can't pay workers to regularly maintain the grounds and the monuments.
ReplyDeleteDiego Domingo
Update from Matthew Crabtree, National President of The Society of American Magicians HERE.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning a trip to the grave site in Early October (between the 8th - 11th) . I wonder if it will be taken care of by then. Any hints ot tips when visiting?
ReplyDeleteAlso the site is not allowing me to use my google account to comment.
Hi Craig. Sorry about not being able to comment using Google. Sometimes I've found changing browsers helps. Google long ago abandoned support for Blogger so things are very buggy. But signing your name works.
DeleteSo THATS why it doesn’t work for me. Darn it Google! - Abby Martin
DeleteIndeed, I, Benjilini, like Houdini, restored gravesites of my fellow magicians. These gravesites were for magicians I personally knew during their lifetimes but many like "Blitz," to honor their final resting sites. I have donated over many years for the restoration of the "Houdini" gravesite. As stated , "I noted at our "S.A.M.-P.A.#1 ANNUAL BROKEN WAND CEREMONY FOR HOUDINI" last year, how filthy the Exedra, his bust, his S.A.M. Presidential emblem, and, the crack on the extra getting larger at the Machpelah Cemetery located in Glendale, Queens, NY. No rest during our lifetimes and no rest at his death. So many decades of "grief and stress" dealing with the owners of the gravesite in the past. So much money spent on this gravesite along with others like David Copperfield. Many busts destroyed, stolen too. Now, as I continue to prepare for his "100th Yahrtzeit" in 2026, I will honor him appropriately. You are correct! Those people "making much money off the name of "Houdini" in 2026 should get together and clean-up the entire site. It saddens me but I know Houdini would tell me, "Benjilini, YOU have done so much to honor me at my gravesite, during your shows, discussing my name to so many children and adults, dagensich nisht(Yiddish)don't get aggravated for my sake because you continue to keep my memory alive. Most importantly, you emulate many if my good traits. R. I. P. My mentor....Benjilini
ReplyDeleteFor many magicians Houdini is god or like one. Can’t imagine why this was allowed to happen. This should be cleaned up by the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteHe is a god to me… 💗✨ - Abby Martin
DeleteAbby, my maternal side is Hungarian and came from Budapest. Houdini was often the center of attention at our dinner table when I was growing up, especially when Houdini was in the news. I feel the same about Houdini. Let no one speak an unkind word about him either. Wish me luck, I'm in the middle of getting an historical marker in Atlantic City where he did a number of wonderful escapes. The city planners are doing their best to make this happen and I'll be able to sit in via Zoom on their meetings to help bring this about. Finger crossed. Thanks for all your positive comments about The Great Harry Houdini
DeleteGood news! Dorothy Dietrich is on the case, and the grave will be cleaned very soon. Also, it's not in as bad a shape as the photo makes it look. It was wet that day. But it still needs a good cleaning and it's going to get done and Dorothy is our hero. She also wants to arrange regular cleaning. Remember, if you want to contribute directly to the fund that does stuff like this, do so HERE.
ReplyDeleteHurray!!! Dorothy is an amazing force of nature. Super happy to hear she is on the case.
Delete—colleen
Huzzah! 😆 - Abby Maude Martin Houdini 💕
Delete