The Original Houdini Scrapbook turns 50

I'm having fun remembering my Houdini awakening 50 years ago. I've already talked about seeing Houdini (1953), the first Doug Henning special, and the U.S. debut of The Truth About Houdini. The next hit came on July 20, 1976. My stepbrother and I were wandering Hollywood Blvd––because that was a perfectly acceptable thing to let an 11-year-old do back then––and on a table of new releases inside one of the many bookstores that once lined the street, my eyes fell on this...

As it turns out, The Original Houdini Scrapbook by Walter Gibson had just come out on July 10. It was the first of four coffee-table-sized, picture-heavy Houdini books released within a year. A book like this was a dream come true, and I came home with a copy under my arm. I still have that copy, and I still love this book 50 years later.

By the way, Hollywood Boulevard was once a haven for bookstores. Below is a map from the May 9, 1976, Los Angeles Times. Today, only Larry Edmunds remains.

Do you remember when you first got The Original Houdini Scrapbook? Share your memories in the comments below.

Want more? You can read an original review of the book on my Patreon.

Related:

• The Fantastic Four
• The World of Magic aired 50 years ago tonight
• The Truth About Houdini on its 5oth

Friday Flair

Here's a little something I just found for all you folks who need some extra Flair.

American Press, October 8, 1973.

Don't get caught without! Like this loser...

Related:

• Fred Pittella's Houdini key bookmark and lapel pin
• New Houdini Pin from Castle Thunder Graphics
• Even I wouldn't go this far

50 years ago: A new Houdini biopic in the works

Last month marked a different kind of anniversary. It was 50 years ago that Melville Shavelson and his crew filmed The Great Houdinis on location around Los Angeles and at the 20th Century Fox studio in Century City. Filming commenced at the Wilshire Ebell Theater on April 28 and wrapped at the Malibu Pier on May 24, 1976. I learned about the movie in the July 1976 issue of The Magic Magazine. Still have the clipping in my old scrapbook.

The Great Houdinis starred Paul Michael Glaser as Houdini and Sally Struthers as Bess. The amazing supporting cast included: Ruth Gordon (Cecelia Weiss), Peter Cushing (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), Bill Bixby (Rev. Arthur Ford), Adrienne Barbeau (Daisy White), Vivian Vance (Minnie Chester), Jack Carter (Hardeen) Barbara Rhoades (Margery), and if you look closely, you'll see Patrick Culliton as Franz Kukol. It aired on ABC on October 7, 1976.

This marked the first Houdini biopic since 1953's Houdini with Tony Curtis, and despite it being heavily fictionalized, I've always had a special fondness for it. It's my second-favorite Houdini biopic and a great example of 1970s television.

In the early days of this blog, I did a day-by-day breakdown of the production. If you're interested, give that review by clicking the link below:

Making the great Great Houdinis

Related:

• The Great Houdinis (1976)
• Watch The Great Houdinis (1976)
• Paul Michael Glaser is Houdini again!

The Truth About Houdini on its 5oth

I've already talked about how I was bitten by the Houdini bug in late 1975 after the one-two punch of seeing Houdini (1953) and Doug Henning's first magic special. As we entered 1976, I was officially "into" Houdini and started searching for more. That's when the universe seemed to conspire to turn me into a Houdini fanatic by feeding me a steady stream of new Houdini gems. One of those was the first American airing of the 1970 BBC documentary, The Truth About Houdini, 50 years ago today, on May 15, 1976.

This introduced me to a larger Houdini world. Not only was I able to see film footage of the real Houdini in action, but I was also able to see the giants of Houdini's world at that time: Walter B. Gibson, Milbourne Christopher, James Randi, and Sidney Radner.

I have done many posts about this important documentary, which you can revisit via the related links. If you've never seen it, you can give it a watch below. It will always be my favorite Houdini documentary, and an important part of my Houdini awakening.

Want more? You can view a cut scene from the documentary as a member of my Patreon.

Related:

• The first great Houdini documentary
• Channel 44's Houdini Halloween of 1976
• No love for The Truth

Sid Krofft passes away

Sid Krofft in David Copperfield's museum.

Sad news today that legendary children's television producer and visionary Sid Krofft has passed away. His good friend David Copperfield paid tribute to him on his Facebook page.

In an odd way, Sid & Marty Krofft played a role in my own Houdini awakening. If you're curious about that, check out the 2017 post by clicking the image below.

RIP, Mr. Krofft.

Ruth Kavanaugh on "To Tell The Truth" in 1972

Here's a fun find. On December 26, 1972, Houdini's niece Ruth Kavanaugh (daughter of Bess's sister Marie) appeared on the show To Tell The Truth. For those unfamiliar with the show, the premise was that three people would all claim to be the same person, and a panel of celebrities would attempt to guess which was the real person. On this episode (#0892), the celebrity panel was: Bill Cullen, Peggy Cass, Orson Bean, and Kitty Carlisle.

The High Point Enterprise, Dec 26, 1972.

I asked our friend John Hinson about this, and he does remember watching it. But this was before home video, so he doesn't have a copy. And before someone asks, no, she did not bring the Mirror Handcuffs (Ruth owned them at this time). Does anyone else remember seeing this?

I would sure love to see this episode. There is a YouTube channel devoted to uploading complete seasons of To Tell the Truth, but it has yet to reach the 1970s.

Related:

• Meet the man who sleeps in Houdini's bed
• Remembering Celeste Evans
• AUDIO: Marie Hinson remembers her sister Bess Houdini

San Francisco treats

Here are a few curiosities from the San Francisco Chronicle that I recently stumbled on. First is an ad for a television showing of Houdini (1953) in October 1969, describing him as "a cat with 9 lives." That's a new one! There's something that feels very 1969 about this.

San Francisco Chronicle, Oct 20, 1969.

Here's another one, this time from 1976. San Francisco had no shortage of adult theaters back then, and their offerings were advertised in the Chronicle. Notice the teaser copy on this ad: "The stars featured in DIRTY STORIES get into positions Houdini wouldn't dare!" Goodness.

San Francisco Chronicle, Jan 24, 1976.

Finally, there's nothing all that unusual about this 1969 clipping; I just like seeing a revival house screening of The Man From Beyond in proximity to one of my favorite James Bond films, On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Just don't make the mistake of seeing Paint Your Wagon!

San Francisco Chronicle, Dec 29, 1969.

Related:

• When Houdini (1953) came to TV
• Harry and Rudy (and Mel)
• And now for something completely different

Houdini's Escapes escapes copyright

Over the past few years, Public Domain Day has become increasingly popular. On January 1st of each year, a new tranche of books, movies, and music falls out of copyright. This became big news when Micky Mouse (the Steamboat Willy version) became Public Domain. Admittedly, copyright is tricky and varies by country, but in general, this year sees anything from 1930 joining the Public Domain.

So are any Houdini books entering the public domain this year? Yes! Houdini's Escapes by Water B. Gibson was first published in 1930 and, presumably, is now out of copyright. The combo edition, Houdini's Escapes and Magic, also shows a 1930 copyright. However, later editions list a 1932 copyright for Houdini's Magic (released as a separate edition), which may complicate matters. But the solo Escapes has escaped!

I have a fond memory of this book. When I first became interested in Houdini, I would peruse bibliographies in the backs of my books to see what other Houdini books had been released in past years. I fixated on the title, Houdini's Escapes. There was a book just about Houdini's escapes!? That sounded like a dream book. But at the time, I had no idea how to find an out-of-print book.

Then, like magic, one day I walked into my local Waldenbooks, and there on the shelf was a gleaming new mass-market paperback called Houdini's Escapes. It took me a while to process that this was the same book from 1930. It was like it had been reprinted just for me! (By the way, the mass-market format is also essentially going away this year.)

Now, truth be told, I was a bit disappointed in the book back then. I had expected a highlight book about Houdini's most famous escapes and the stories behind them. Instead, this is largely a collection of escape concepts from Houdini's notebooks. And no pictures! That all came in the book Houdini's Fabulous Magic (1961), which had its own magical reprint around this same time.

But I still have my Houdini Escapes Bantam paperback (right), and when I eventually found a first edition hardcover from 1930, I flipped for that cover! And today I value the book as a glimpse inside Houdini's mind and a record of unusual escapes that could have been.

For a full list of new copyright-free properties, check out the Public Domain Day 2026 website.

Related:

• "Had Houdini lived he would have written this book"
• Walter Gibson interviewed in 1973
• Full bibliography

The World of Magic aired 50 years ago tonight

Had to jump back in to note the 50th anniversary of a magic milestone and a personal one as well. It was 50 years ago tonight that Doug Henning's first "World of Magic" television special aired LIVE on NBC. Doug's magic and his climactic performance of Houdini's Water Torture Cell was a ratings hit, and this special has been attributed to launching Magic's second Golden Age. Having just seen Houdini (1953) the previous month, this special only cemented my newfound Houdini mania.

San Francisco Chronicle, Dec 25, 1975.

Did you see this special live? If so, share your memories in the comments below.

Related:

• "Houdini must have been crazy to do this."
• My first look at the real Houdini
• Doug Henning's World of Magic aired 35 years ago today

Arrival of the Mirror Cuffs

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.

Related:

• Mirror, Mirror...
• The Muller Mirror mystery key
• 1971: Year of the Torture Cell(s)

The Voyages of Patrick Culliton

Here's something special. These three videos by Mike Clark chronicle the story of our great friend and leading Houdini expert Patrick Culliton a.k.a. "Houdini's Ghost." While Patrick's Houdini activities do get a mention, these primarily focus on his acting career and relationship with producer Irwin Allen, especially his time working on Allen's Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. These are very well done and really interesting. Enjoy.

PART I: THE HOLLYWOOD KID

PART II: INCREDIBLE VOYAGES

PART III: TO HELL AND BACK

Thank you, Patrick!

Related:

• Pat Culliton and I found Bess Houdini's house...like heroes
• A plea from Patrick Culliton: Save the Houdini films before it’s too late!
• Patrick Culliton clarifies the price and purpose of Houdini–the Key

Houdini and Knievel

It was inevitable that I would one day stumble on an article linking Houdini and Evel Knievel. That happened today with a Houston Post piece from September 22, 1974, headlined "Evel Knievel latest of many daredevils." The article isn't really about Houdini and Knievel per se. It's more a list of famous daredevils of the past. But for the photo, they go with the two who matter the most!

I actually think Houdini and Knievel were very different in how they approached their life and art. I think the only real parallel is how they gripped their respective eras and have maintained a timeless hold in the public's imagination. There have been many motorcycle daredevils since Knievel who have jumped further and performed stunts far more breathtaking. Even his own son Robbie Knievel had a spectacular career. Yet, ask someone to name a motorcycle daredevil, and the only name that comes up is Knievel. He pioneered his unique art and owns it to this day. 

We can say the same about Houdini. Over the years, numerous escape artists have performed Houdini's escapes faster, higher, and with greater danger. Yet when we think of an escape artist, the only name that survives is Houdini.

If only Houdini did motorcycle jumps!

Here's a kids' book from 1978 by Robert Kraske that collects tales of daredevils. (Kraske also penned the book, Harry Houdini: Master of Magic.) This book has a nice section on Houdini with some terrific illustrations by Ivan Powell. But the guy who made the cover was Knievel. Hey, he was a hero to kids at this time.

Interestingly, this cover shows Knievel jumping a tank of sharks. This was a stunt he planned to do on live television in 1977, but he cancelled the jump after a crash during a practice run. Jumping a shark would be left to another icon of the 1970s.

Wait, Fonzie also did the Milk Can escape. And Houdini once planned to battle a live shark, but canceled the stunt, just like Knievel did. This is starting to get a little too tangled! Let's move on.

Need more? You can read the full Houston Post piece as a "Scholar" member of my Patreon.

Related:

• Wild about Fonzie
• Houdini's Fort Worth street feats
• Houdini's bizarre plan to fight a shark

Wild Weber's

Take a look at this advertisement for Weber's Bread from 1972. I was a Wonder Bread kid myself. But had I seen this ad, that might have been different!

Santa Barbara News Press, Feb. 10, 1972.

Weber's Bread was founded in 1908. Kudos to the ad agency for using a photo of Houdini from that very year—unless that was just a happy coincidence.

While Weber's bakery went out of business a few years ago, you can still buy bread with the Weber's name and distinctive checkerboard packaging.

Related:

• Jack Rabbit was a Houdini bunny
• Houdini's secrets brought to you by Camel cigarettes
• Ehrich Weiss makes a name for himself

Going ape over Houdini

Here's a fun clipping from the May 7, 1977, The Observer, about the growing popularity of magic. This was during the second year of my Houdini obsession, so I can attest to its accuracy. I even got one of those cool King of Cards posters! (Still have it.)

The Observer (La Grande, Oregon), May 7, 1977.

May 1977... What else happened that month to make kids go ape? Probably nothing.

In what era did you go "ape" for Houdini or magic? Let us know in the comments below.

Related:

• Everyone's first Houdini poster
• My first look at the real Houdini
• The Man From Beyond haunts Hollywood in 1971

No love for The Truth

For me, the documentary The Truth About Houdini was as important as the Tony Curtis film in fueling my excitement for Houdini. It certainly helped shape my understanding of Houdini and introduced me to the major Houdini players at that time. It's still my favorite Houdini documentary. 

That's why I'm so surprised to read this review in the December 30, 1970 Northern Echo that excoriates it! But the doc did generate controversy, at least in the UK. The Magic Circle objected to what it believed were exposures. However, apart from the cross escape (which was removed at some point), there are no significant exposures.

Anyway, this is a fun read, and I can't condemn someone for defending Houdini, even though, in my opinion, it was unnecessary.

Want more? You can view the cut cross escape footage as a Scholar member of my Patreon below.

Related:

• The first great Houdini documentary
• Watch 'The Truth About Houdini' on its anniversary
• Channel 44's Houdini Halloween of 1976

The Man From Beyond haunts Hollywood in 1971

Here's a treat I discovered this weekend. In August 1971, a double feature of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and The Man From Beyond played at The Bijou Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. Both films featured "sound accompaniment" and a magic show by "the master of the magic lamp, Jim Christopher."

While The Man From Beyond (and The Master Mystery) would occasionally screen at the nearby Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax, it's cool to see it playing on Hollywood Blvd. Also, check out the terrific illustrated ad from the Los Angeles Times. This is an uncommon photo of Houdini, and even more so in 1971!

The Los Angeles Times, Aug. 20, 1971.

Around this time, Houdini collector Manny Weltman was selling 8mm and 16mm prints of The Man From Beyond. I wonder if this print was rented from Manny? That might also explain where they got the photo.

The Bijou stood just a few blocks from Grauman's Chinese Theater. It started as an adult film theater in 1969 called the Athena and later the Avon. In 1971, it reopened as a 16mm revival house under the Bijou name. It played an assortment of classic films before turning back into an adult film theater in 1974.

In the photo below, you can see the round sign and arrow that points to the Bijou's entrance. This pic comes from a terrific overview of the Bijou at Los Angeles Theaters. I recommend checking it out.

This was still a few years before my Houdini awakening, but oh how I would have loved to have attended one of these showings!

I also discovered that The Man From Beyond appeared on television in 1980. But that's a story I'll save for another time.

Related:

• The Master Mystery at The Silent Movie Theater
• Houdini's 'Haldane' screened in LA
• Houdini film print sells on eBay

🎶 Dunninger, Hoo-dee-nee, and Doug! 🎶

This week marks the 50th anniversary of The Magic Show, which opened at the Cort Theater on May 28, 1974. The Broadway musical launched the career of Doug Henning and opened the door on the next Golden Age of Magic. Doug's style was modern and up-to-the-minute, but he always honored the past, especially Houdini. The play even uses Houdini's name in its opening number, Up To His Old Tricks by Stephen Schwartz (lyrics below). So, yeah, we love Doug!

Hey, can't you just feel the strange excitement
The quiet commotion that we share
There's something like tingling in the darkness
There's something electric in the air
'Cause there's one thing I know turns a man of sixty
Back into a child of six:
Watching Dunninger, Houdini
Or Doug—the magic man
Up to his old tricks

You go spend an evening at the movies
And smile at the shadows on the screen
You turn on a radio or record
And dance to a voice you've never seen
But thеy don't make you gasp like a silly schoolboy
Or giggle likе a bunch of hicks
Not like Dunninger, Houdini
Or Doug—the magic man
Up to his old tricks

Clap clap
Pop up the dusty flowers
Hooray, hoorah
Break out the bowl of goldfish and the scarves
Ooh…ahhh
Saw the beautiful lady in half again…

Wasn't that illusion fun?
Not if you know how it's done

It may not be the world's most esteemed profession
But if sure beats law or politics
So here's to Dunninger, Houdini
And Doug—our magic man
Up to his old tricks

For all things Doug, check out The Doug Hennig Project by our friend Neil McNally.

Related:

• Doug Henning marks Houdini's 100th
• "Houdini must have been crazy to do this."
• My first look at the real Houdini

A Magician Among the Spirits turns 100

Today marks the 100th Anniversary of Houdini's last book, A Magician Among the Spirits, published on May 2, 1924, by Harper & Brothers in New York.

Below is a positive review of the book from The Evening Sun.

The Evening Sun, June 28, 1924

And a less positive review from the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 7, 1924

Shortly after publication, Houdini discovered an error in the book. The following appeared in several newspapers.

Hartford Courant, Aug. 10, 1924.

On May 5, Houdini wrote to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle offering to send him a signed copy of the book. If Doyle ever responded, the letter has been lost. But one thing is for sure, the publication of A Magician Among the Spirits marked the end of their famous friendship.

A Magician Among the Spirits has been reprinted several times. The 1972 hardcover from Arno is typically the edition one finds in used bookstores. I've always had affection for this edition.

In 1996, Richard Kaufman and Alan Greenberg published Houdini's original typed manuscript with extensive hand corrections as a limited slipcased edition. It's a beauty and a wonderful tribute to Houdini's last book.

Want more? As a member of my Patreon, you can download a free PDF of A Magician Among the Spirits as this month's reward.

Related:

• LINK: Restoring Houdini's 'Spirits'
• Cambridge Press releases A Magician Among the Spirits
• Original typescript for A Magician Among the Spirits at auction Feb 18

1971: Year of the Torture Cell(s)

Houdini's Water Torture Cell made its last public appearance on the night of October 11, 1926, in Albany, New York. This was the night Houdini broke his ankle. Despite plans to resume the cell in Detroit, Houdini died before that happened. After that, the famed prop remained out of sight for the next 45 years. Then, in 1971, two Water Torture Cells, both claiming to be the original, returned to public view.

In May 1971, the Water Torture Cell that Sidney Radner acquired from Hardeen in 1942 was put on permanent display at the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Canada. Some assume the cell was in the museum from the start (the museum opened in 1968), but it was actually a later addition, as we can see below.

The Holyoke Daily Transcript and Telegram, May 29, 1971.

Later that same year, magician Abb Dickson announced that he had acquired Houdini's original Water Torture Cell and was making plans to display it. Abb claimed he found the cell in England and had even solved its secrets by having it x-rayed.

The Atlanta Journal, Sept. 6, 1971.

In October, Abb's cell was revealed alongside a collection of other alleged Houdini ratites at the Dutch Square Mall in Columbia, South Carolina.

The Columbia Record, Oct. 25, 1971.

Of course, Abb's cell was pure hokum—it was made of sheet metal with a shower drain at the bottom. One wonders if the arrival of the real cell in Canada had inspired Abb in this endeavor? Abb would tour his Houdini exhibit and cell for several years. The cell was also used in the 1976 television biopic, The Great Houdinis.

The real Water Torture Cell remained on display at the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame until a fire destroyed much of the cell in 1995. Today, the restored cell is back on display at David Copperfield's International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts in Las Vegas.

Abb Dickson's cell also survives today in the collection of Troy Milligan. On occasion, it has been offered for sale on eBay, but I'm not sure of its current status.

Want more? I've uploaded to my Patreon a collection of photos of the original Water Torture Cell on display at the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame throughout the years and what remained of it after the fire.

Related:

• The 100 year history of the Water Torture Cell
• The wild story of Abb Dickson's Water Torture Cell
• A Water Torture Cell has been discovered in Canada