You can view the Houdini handcuffs at the PEM's special exhibition, Houdini on Salem, on show now. The museum will also host a special "Houdini Halloween Magic Show and Curator Talk" on Oct. 31, 2026.
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Friday, September 4, 2026
LINK: 120 years ago, Harry Houdini and a pair of handcuffs created controversy in Salem
A nice article here by Oliva Deng about Houdini's 1906 visit to Salem and the handcuffs that caused a bit of controversy at the Peabody Academy of Science (today the PEM). Click the headline or the handcuffs below to read.
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Nice article by Olivia! I wasn't aware Houdini had created his own company in 1906 to perform in independent theaters. He probably wasn't happy with B.F. Keith when he started with them after returning from Europe in 1905.
ReplyDeleteYep, I gave that bit of info to Olivia. Houdini had no issues with B.F. Keith. He was treated very well. But his Keith tours where only for so many weeks, and he wanted to keep working and earning, so he formed his own vaudeville company with himself as headliner and played Independent theaters. He did the same thing in the UK. It'll all be in my book!
DeleteBTW, nice catch on the new detail. :)
DeleteThanks!
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