Zabrecky and Hume on Houdini and the Spirits

On Saturday, Joe Notaro and I had the pleasure of attending a sold-out illustrated lecture by Rob Zabrecky and Marcie Hume on "Houdini and the Spirits" at The Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles. The talk was preceded by a courtyard performance of Hasco Enjoyments, the "quietly surreal" project of John-Peter Hasson. 

Rob, who has lectured and performed at the PRS several times, kicked off the evening with an overview of Houdini's life and his involvement with spirit debunking. He then invited two members of the audience onstage and gave them a mock séance, with the audience able to observe all of Rob's trickery. It's exactly what Houdini did during his own spirit lectures, and the audience enjoyed it immensely.

Producer Marcie Hume, who made the documentary Magicians: Life in the Impossible (2016), then took the stage and talked about several notable female mediums, including Ana Eva Fay. She then went into detail on the mediumship of Mina Crandon (Margery) and her encounter with Houdini in 1924. It was a very interesting and well-researched talk.

Then followed a Q&A, in which Rob and Marcie generously introduced me and let me help answer a question about Rose Mackenburg. Joe and I then ended our night as we always do, standing on a busy LA street yapping about Houdini!

Thank you to Rob, Marcie, and the PRS for a memorable evening. Rob and Marice will be repeating their talk at the Magic Castle on October 5.

Related:

• Zabrecky on Houdini and the Spirits, August 15
• Guest blog: Houdini in Pittsburgh by Zabrecky
• Zabrecky conjures OUR MAGIC