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- The Witch of Lime Street (2015)
- The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini (2019)
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Houdini 100 statue concept
Friday, March 27, 2026
When did Houdini and his mother go to Budapest?
"After listening patiently to his remonstrances," Houdini wrote in an autobiographical fragment, "I revealed to him my plot to crown my little mother and allow her to be Queen Victoria for a few fleeting hours."
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Celebrate Houdini's 100th in Budapest
The “Houdini 100” commemorative series of events has begun, featuring a film festival, a circus production, a statue unveiling, and a quiz show for visitors in 2026.The Houdini House in Budapest, in collaboration with the Hungarian Hollywood Council, Origo Film Studio, the Budapest Hungarian Circus, and Eötvös 10, is preparing numerous events to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini, said David Merlini, founder of the Houdini Museum in Budapest, at a press conference held Tuesday in Budapest.
He added that they are organizing numerous programs for this commemorative year. Their plans include the unveiling of a statue of Houdini, the installation of a memorial at Origo Film Studio, a production at the Budapest Grand Circus, as well as a film competition targeting young people and a film festival with the help of the Hungarian Hollywood Council.
He emphasized that they hope to create a fitting tribute to Harry Houdini, who was not merely an escape artist but someone who redefined the limits of human capability. He noted that a century has passed since Houdini took his final bow before an audience in 1926.
The “Houdini 100” program series is not only a commemoration of a historical figure, but a commitment to preserving a legacy that belongs to all of us, he emphasized.
Balázs Bokor, president of the Hungarian Hollywood Council, announced that the film festival will be held between October 30–31 under the title “Houdini 100 – Magic.” They are accepting submissions from young people and students up to 25 years of age, who can create their films—up to 15 minutes long and on the theme of magic—using a smartphone or any simpler device.
The festival will open at Eötvös 10 on October 30, with screenings simultaneously taking place at the Budapest Grand Circus. The awards ceremony will be held on October 31 following the grand gala performance on the ring of the Budapest Grand Circus, he added.
Visit the official website Houdini100.org for more details.
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Tuesday, March 24, 2026
The marvelous Hungarian magician turns 152
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| Boston Evening Transcript, Jan 15, 1900. |
"You will think that I am vain to tell you these things. But I am a Magyar, and Magyars are vain. American born. Magyar descended; my parents came from Austria; my father was a clergyman in Wisconsin."
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Wednesday, October 15, 2025
The Amazing Race asks, "What would Houdini do?"
“What Would Houdini Do?” – Racers travel to illusionist Harry Houdini’s birthplace, Budapest, Hungary, where a puzzling Fast Forward puts one team to the test, while a horse drawn carriage has teams racing against the clock, on THE AMAZING RACE, Wednesday, Oct. 15 (9:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs).
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Take a River Cruise to Houdini's Birthplace in 2026
The Magic Word Podcast Presents:
A River Cruise to Houdini's Birthplace in Celebration of 100 Years Since His Death
Join other listeners as the Magic Word Podcast hosts a trip to Old World Europe. Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini. As many of you know, Ehrich Weiss, aka Harry Houdini, was born in Budapest in 1874 before his family migrated to Appleton, Wisconsin, in the U.S. David Merlini has a world-renowned House of Houdini museum in Harry's hometown and will be hosting a festival around the date of the great escape artist's passing. So, we thought it appropriate to arrange a trip to the Old Country, including Transylvania, during this historic time to join in the celebration, then have a leisurely river cruise on the back end.
This trip will begin with a few days in Romania and Transylvania from October 26-28. Then we join with the Houdini Festival in Budapest from October 29-31. We will spend the following days from November 1-3 exploring in and around Budapest. On November 4-11 we will join the AMA Cruise in Budapest on the romantic Danube aboard the AmaSofia and travel northwest to Vilshofen, Germany. Those longing for the romance of Old World Europe will get to travel into the very heart of the continent, where empires were built, kings and queens were crowned and some of the world’s greatest music was composed and performed by the likes of Mozart and Beethoven. Grand European cities like Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest forever remain timeless. Admire the beauty of Salzburg or the Czech Republic’s charming mountain town, Ceský Krumlov. From grand abbeys and fortresses perched high above the Danube to plentiful iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, be romanced by the Danube with all her regal and romantic splendor.
This will be limited to a small group, so don't delay if you are interested. The trip dates will be October 26 (arriving in Bucharest on October 25) through November 11 and departing from Munich, Germany, on November 12. Rates go up after October 31, 2025, and cabin availability will be going fast since it is a river cruise and not an ocean going vessel.
If you are interested in joining for this once in a lifetime experience, then please drop an email to scott@themagicwordpodcast.com for more information.
Related:
Friday, November 29, 2024
Hungary issues an official Houdini stamp
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Meet Houdini at Madame Tussauds Budapest
Monday, March 25, 2024
Marking Houdini's 150th in Budapest
Related:
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Houdini's Budapest birthplace
Saturday, November 20, 2021
The Scandinavian tour that wasn't
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| New York Clipper, July 12, 1913 |
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| New York Evening World, July 29, 1913 |
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Blackstone produces a Houdini birthplace puzzle
Friday, February 19, 2021
Off-script in Cincinnati
About HoudiniEight or ten years ago, says Burns Mantle, Harry Houdini, who was seen on the local stage a week or two ago, was a poor unknown, doing twelve shows a day in a cheap western museum. His specialty was to release himself from handcuffs and other manacles.The same eight or ten years ago Martin Beck was a rising vaudeville manager with about a third of the prestige and a sixth of the fortune that he now draws checks on. Beck saw Houdini, and Houdini talked with Beck. I believe it was Beck who gave Houdini his stage name, though the lad was born in Budapest and may have come honestly by it.Beck signed a contract with the handcuff breaker which was extended over a period of several years, and Houdini was taken away from the museum and put into vaudeville proper. At the shrewd manager's dictation he visited police stations in Los Angeles and San Francisco, where he invited the officers to hold him with their manacles. He was not a confident performer in those days. Every time he was manacled he was frightened to death for fear he would not be able to get away and that his "act" would be ruined.He made his first big sensation in San Francisco, after a committee of policemen had put four pairs of handcuffs, an Oregon boot, and a few balls and chains on him, and then fastened them all together. Just to make certain that he did not have a key concealed in his mouth with which he might unlock the cuffs, they sealed his lips with court plaster. Then they put him in the center of the "third degree" room and locked the door.Houdini told me seven years ago, before he was as famous as he is now, that as soon as the door was closed he began his struggle to free himself and was working as though the devil was after him when he heard the labored breathing of some one. He glanced around the room. There was nothing that could conceal a man. Again he started to release his hands. Again he was certain he heard the breathing. And as he looked up quickly he saw a large oil painting on the wall quiver slightly. Slits had been cut in the canvas and he was being watched from that point of vantage.The boy was clever enough to outwit the trickster, however. He edged his way slowly to the corner of the room farthest from the picture, turned his back on the spy, and in something like twenty-seven minutes was free. The feat was exploited in all the coast papers, and the "Handcuff King" was started on his career.No one has been able to explain Houdini's system up to date. Every one is inclined to gasp, sniff and then declare him to be a fakir. Perhaps he is. But he is certainly one of the cleverest that ever lived, for he has fooled thousands of experts.
Thursday, September 17, 2020
No sale for The House of Houdini in Budapest
"The House of Houdini presents a private collection that took over 20 years to build, and it is currently the largest of its kind in Europe. Despite the fact that all of our exhibits, assets and trademarks are in private hands, we feel important to provide a publicly available update.
As entering the agreement would have been resulted in the transfer of all usage, administrative and other rights to the new majority owner, there would have been no guarantee to keep the collection in Budapest long term. As this is a basic principle of our Statute, we have decided to withdraw from the deal.
The House of Houdini has opened its gate in 2016 in the Buda Castle in Budapest aiming to pose a tribute to world famous Budapest born escape artist Harry Houdini through his original artefacts. We aim to fulfill our mission of preserving the heritage of one of our most famed compatriot for future generations with the same passion and enthusiasm. "
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Private investment fund circling David Merlini's House of Houdini
A private investment fund, CCV (Centurion Capital Ventures), is offering David Merlini $18.6 million for his House of Houdini museum in Budapest and the rights to Houdini's name. David controls the use of "Houdini" in the EU. The news broke via a press release late last month. David has now confirmed for the Hungarian news outlet Blikk that the offer is legitimate. Says David, "I can’t comment on the details of the deal, but I have to make the difficult decision in days."
David Merlini opened The House of Houdini in 2016. Is the only Houdini museum in Europe. The museum, which is located in Buda Castle on Castle Hill, had reopened for business. But due to a Covid spike in Hungary, the government is once again ordering all museums to close.
UPDATE: No sale for The House of Houdini in Budapest.
Related:
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Houdini on The Alienist
Monday, March 16, 2020
Houdini ('53) screenings cancelled and other closures
Due to COVID-19 concerns, AGO's screenings of Houdini (1953) on March 18 have been cancelled. The art gallery, which is currently home to the Illusions: The Art of Magic exhibition, has temporarily closed.
The AGO’s highest priority is the health and safety of our visitors, staff, volunteers and extended community. Upon the advice of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, the AGO is closing temporarily as of 9 p.m. on Friday, March 13 through Sunday, April 5.
AGO recently screened The Man From Beyond and Haldane of the Secret Service with live musical accompaniment by Marilyn Lerner.
Other Houdini-related closures include The Magic Castle, Harry Ransom Center, Catalina Island Museum, McCord Museum, Appleton's History Museum at the Castle, and The House of Houdini in Budapest. The David Copperfield and Penn & Teller shows in Las Vegas are temporarily dark. The Houdini Museum in Scranton is open on select days (call ahead).
For the latest information on COVID-19 visit the CDC website.
Hope everyone stays safe and well!
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Monday, February 10, 2020
Fred Pittella follows Harry and Mama to Budapest
Fred sends us some photos and says, "You could just imagine Houdini walking down these stairs with his mother on his arm, all puffy chest a proud son."
"How my heart warmed to see the various friends and relatives kneel and pay homage to my mother, every inch a queen, as she sat enthroned in her heavily carved and gilded chair." - Houdini
While no photos of this famous reception survive (to my knowledge), it has been depicted in two Houdini biopics, The Great Houdinis (1976) and the Houdini Miniseries (2014).
Here's an image from Fred's collection capturing the real Harry, Mama, and Bess at this very time.
Thanks Fred!
Related:
Thursday, October 10, 2019
The House of Houdini welcomes special visitors
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Monday, April 22, 2019
Houdini fiction in 'Today Tomorrow Always'
Today Tomorrow Always: Volume One is an eclectic, entertaining, and thought-provoking mix of short stories. Readers will meet a lone robot mourning the loss of her creators as she continues to tend their gardens; Harry and Bessie Houdini as they navigate pre-WWII Budapest; a 70-year-old Dr. Dre who reinvents performance art, and many more unique but genuine characters. In our first anthology, we bring you a literary-scifi-speculative fiction mashup at its finest. Images of war and robots, Catholic Cardinals and queer lovers, Nazi occupation and forced marches throughout history live side-by-side in this intriguing and page turning collection. You’ll put down the book and question everything you think is real, only to pick up the stories and read them again. Three reading group discussion questions follow each story.
Purchase Today Tomorrow Always at Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK). Below are links to a few more Houdini adventures in the sci-fi realm.
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