Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting America Museum of Magic Speakers in this Houdini centenary year.
Showing posts with label Female escapists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Female escapists. Show all posts
Monday, March 16, 2026
She's baaaack
On March 26, our friend Gary Hunt will be lecturing on the fairest of all the "brain thieves," Minerva, as part of the American Museum of Magic's Online Speaker Series. No one knows more about "The Handcuff Queen" than Gary, so this promises to be a great lecture. Pour yourself a glass of lime and join the fun!
Friday, March 8, 2024
Shadow of Houdini with Sher'ril & Samantha
Here's another event celebrating Houdini's 150th birthday this month. Sher'ril & Samantha, Escape Artists Extraordinaire, present Shadow of Houdini on Saturday, March 23, at Rock House Coffee Company & Event Center in Hohenwald, Tennessee.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Shadow of Houdini page at Eventbrite.
If you know of any other Houdini birthday events or celebrations, please let me know.
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Meet Holmes & Houdini
Zenescope has released the first issue of their new series, Holmes & Houdini, by Honor Vincent, with artwork by Oliver Borges. The characters are descendants of their famous namesakes and part of the female-driven "Grimm Universe." Girls get it done!
Ancient secret societies! Mysterious advanced technology! Bloodlines tied to the end of the world!
Few names hold such a high prestige and weight as those of Holmes and Houdini—Spencer Holmes and Erica Houdini have known that all too well, as they both have been carrying the burden of their infamous ancestors their whole lives, completely unaware of the other's existence. But when the death of a loved one sets these two on a collision course, they discover that their worlds are much more entwined and extraordinary than they ever imagined.Don’t miss the thrilling first issue!
The good folks at Zenescope sent me a review copy, which I greatly enjoyed. It's a good story, the artwork is the type of highly detailed comic art I like, and there are several mentions of (the real) Houdini. This first issue is focused largely on Erica Houdini (aka Erica Weiss), and, yes, she does magic and escapes. In fact, one of the alternate covers features Erica in escape action.
You can Purchase Holmes & Houdini #1 for the Kindle on Amazon.com. You can also buy directly from the publisher Zenescope, which offers printed copies and four variant covers. Issue #2 is due out on February 21.
Related:
Related:
Saturday, February 25, 2023
The Foolers channel Houdini in Akron tomorrow
As you can see below, Houdini played his "3 Shows in One" at the Goodyear for three days in May 1926. On his final night he was challenged by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. to escape from a packing case.
Friday, February 17, 2023
See The Foolers in a Houdini theater!
But it's the final stop in Akron, Ohio, on February 26 that has me most excited. That's because The Foolers will be playing the historic Goodyear Theater where Houdini himself appeared with his "3 Shows in One" for three days in May of 1926. So if you are in the Akron area, this would be The Foolers show to see! And how exciting for Jessica to be doing her escapes on the same stage as Houdini.
You can find more information and book tickets at The Foolers official website.
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Judy Carter makes "A Death-Defying Escape!"
Magician and comedian Judy Carter has created a new autobiographical play, A Death-Defying Escape! I had the great pleasure of attending a preview last Saturday and loved it. It's funny, moving, and filled with magic. It's also heavily Houdini-themed. There are even Houdini trivia questions that play on a projection screen before the show. Full disclosure: I wrote the questions. So let me know if you get them all correct!
A Death-Defying Escape! plays at The Hudson Guild Theatre in Hollywood April 2 to May 8, 2022. Tickets can be purchased at deathdefyingescape.com.
Related:
Related:
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
"The escape artist is the hero. Full stop."
I don't typically report on feats by modern escape artists unless there is a very direct connection to Houdini (such as Lee Terbosic's "Houdini 100"). But I felt compelled to share this clip of Miranda Allen on Penn & Teller's Fool Us as it's just such a superbly staged classic escape using elements both old and new. And there is a key Houdini idea at play here.
A female escape artist doing a barrel escape should instantly bring Minerva Vano to mind. In fact, Miranda Allen played Minerva in a recent stage play. So this works as an unspoken tribute to that pioneering female escape artist. I also love that she is using wine instead of water. This, of course, is a Houdini idea. He would regularly have his Milk Can filled with beer by a local brewery. But I love the idea of wine and I like how Miranda plays up the added danger of the darkness and "sting" in the eyes.
I'm still not sure how I feel about seeing this kind of escape play out in full view of the audience, which is now common among modern escapists. But every moment of this is tense and entertaining, so...it works! And you gotta love Penn's comment: "This is what an escape should be––what Houdini always did––which is; the escape artist is the hero. Full stop."
Thanks to Gene Franklin Smith for the alert.
Related:
A female escape artist doing a barrel escape should instantly bring Minerva Vano to mind. In fact, Miranda Allen played Minerva in a recent stage play. So this works as an unspoken tribute to that pioneering female escape artist. I also love that she is using wine instead of water. This, of course, is a Houdini idea. He would regularly have his Milk Can filled with beer by a local brewery. But I love the idea of wine and I like how Miranda plays up the added danger of the darkness and "sting" in the eyes.
I'm still not sure how I feel about seeing this kind of escape play out in full view of the audience, which is now common among modern escapists. But every moment of this is tense and entertaining, so...it works! And you gotta love Penn's comment: "This is what an escape should be––what Houdini always did––which is; the escape artist is the hero. Full stop."
Thanks to Gene Franklin Smith for the alert.
Related:
Monday, August 12, 2019
Minerva reappears at the Edmonton Fringe Festival
The play tells the true(ish) story of escape artist Minerva Vano, played by Miranda Allen, and her rivalry with Houdini, played by Richard Lee Hsi.
For more information and to buy tickets visit the Edmonton Fringe website. You can also follow the production on Facebook.
Related:
Friday, May 10, 2019
Dorothy Dietrich among Stories for Kids Who Dare to Be Different
Legendary magician and escape artist Dorothy Dietrich appears in the new children's book, Stories for Kids Who Dare to Be Different: True Tales of Amazing People Who Stood Up and Stood Out by Ben Brooks with illustrations by Quinton Wintor.The follow-up to Ben Brooks's New York Times bestselling Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different, this book offers more extraordinary true stories of amazing people who broke the mold and changed the world for the better. The resulting message? Be yourself, and your dreams might come true.
Dorothy is also the co-founder and curator of the Houdini Museum in Scranton, and a great friend!
Stories for Kids Who Dare to Be Different: True Tales of Amazing People Who Stood Up and Stood Out can be purchased at Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK).
Related:
Monday, May 6, 2019
Lindsay Benner brings Bess to the AMA Awards
The talented Lindsay Benner shared the following on her Instagram on Sunday. Lindsay is one of my favorite Magic Castle performers with her wonderful "Book of Love" act. I also hear she does a mean straitjacket escape. Lindsay was nominated for Stage Magician of the Year at the Magic Castle's 51st AMA Awards.
Bess's royal crown brooch was owned for many years by the Larsen family (it was a gift from Bess to Gerrie Larsen). It was purchased in auction by David Copperfield in 2017. He then sold it to Randy and Kristy Pitchford, who are related to Cardini.
It's wonderful to see the Pitchfords sharing the brooch in this way. Bess helped Gerrie Larsen found the Magigals, the first magic organization exclusively for women, so she would be thrilled to see her brooch adorning talented and successful female magicians like Lindsay.
Thanks to Athena Stamos for the tip.
Related:
Bess's royal crown brooch was owned for many years by the Larsen family (it was a gift from Bess to Gerrie Larsen). It was purchased in auction by David Copperfield in 2017. He then sold it to Randy and Kristy Pitchford, who are related to Cardini.
It's wonderful to see the Pitchfords sharing the brooch in this way. Bess helped Gerrie Larsen found the Magigals, the first magic organization exclusively for women, so she would be thrilled to see her brooch adorning talented and successful female magicians like Lindsay.
Thanks to Athena Stamos for the tip.
Related:
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Was Houdini a chauvinist?
The play has received positive reviews, and I think Minerva is an inspired choice of subject and a great symbol for the ongoing struggle for women's equality in all fields. But is it fair to characterize the real Houdini as an impediment in this struggle?
Houdini was a man of his time and I think we can assume he possessed a certain level of male chauvinism that was endemic in society. And there was the crack he made at the male only Circumnavigators Club that he gave up aviation "when women took it up." So he's not without fault.
But Houdini also worked alongside women his entire career. Vaudeville had as many female performers as male. And remember that Bess was an equal part of the act for many years. In fact, it was Bess who suggested they change the name from "The Houdinis" to just "Houdini" because she felt they'd do better. And far from being aghast at the idea of a female escape artist, in reality, Houdini backed his own, Miss Trixy (Wanda Timm). Of course, this was done to undermine another female escapist, Miss Undina, who was doing an imitation of his Water Torture Cell. But women in magic did not surprise or offend him. In fact, he revered the reigning female magician of the day, Adelaide Herrmann, and called Mary Ann Ford (a.k.a. Talma) "the greatest sleight of hand performer who ever lived."
Coincidentally, here's something I discovered just this week that suggests Houdini may have been very progressive in how his saw women in business. He had a female agent. It was the trailblazing Jenie Jacobs, said to have been one of only two female vaudeville booking agents in the world at that time (the other being in Russia). Heck, Jenie Jacobs might make an interesting subject of a play herself! (I'll have more on Jenie and Houdini in a future post.)
Now, I think it fine for playwrights to employ dramatic license and use Houdini in whatever symbolic way they want. Houdini has even been portrayed as a serial killer! But we're in an era when people take their facts from fiction, and we've seen how fictions can catch fire. So I think it's worth pointing out that the real Houdini was no enemy or barrier to women. And in the cases of Jenie Jacobs and the Suffragettes, it could be said he was an aid to their empowerment.
As for his hostility toward Minerva... Hey, he was treating her just as he did the many male escape artists that infringed on his act. An equal offender.
Minerva–Queen of the Handcuffs is now playing at Theatre Network in Edmonton, Canada, through January 27. For more information and to buy tickets visit the Theatre Network website.
Photos by Marc J. Chalifoux.
Related:
- Minerva vs. Houdini in new play
- Magic History Conference spotlights Minerva
- Is Houdini's "Chinese Water Torture Cell" racist?
Friday, January 11, 2019
Minerva vs. Houdini in new play
A new play about real-life escape artist Minerva and her rivalry with Houdini will have its World Premiere at Theatre Network in Edmonton, January 17-27. Previews begin January 15.
Author Ron Pearson shared some details about the play at Dean Carnegie's Magic Detective. Ron says, "I very much liked the idea of portraying Houdini as the bad guy, as he is traditionally seen as the archetypal hero. It gave me the opportunity to cast him as the symbol for all of the barriers and inequality that women had to endure at the turn of the twentieth century, particularly female performers."
For more information and to buy tickets visit the Theatre Network website. You can also follow the production's progress on their Facebook page.
UPDATE: Check out this review of the real Minerva I just found in an April 1907 issue of Variety. I've not heard that "former assistant" claim before.
Related:
Ghost Writer Theatre presents
The World Premiere of
Minerva – Queen of the Handcuffs
By Ron Pearson
No binds can hold her! No box can contain her! She can escape from anything… anything but the clutches of the master himself! Minerva – Queen of the Handcuffs is the true story of the world’s most famous female escape artist and her rivalry with Harry Houdini. This world premiere production features Edmonton’s own master escape artist, Miranda Allen.
Featuring: Miranda Allen (Minerva) & Richard Lee Hsi (Houdini)
Director: Bradley Moss
Author Ron Pearson shared some details about the play at Dean Carnegie's Magic Detective. Ron says, "I very much liked the idea of portraying Houdini as the bad guy, as he is traditionally seen as the archetypal hero. It gave me the opportunity to cast him as the symbol for all of the barriers and inequality that women had to endure at the turn of the twentieth century, particularly female performers."
For more information and to buy tickets visit the Theatre Network website. You can also follow the production's progress on their Facebook page.
UPDATE: Check out this review of the real Minerva I just found in an April 1907 issue of Variety. I've not heard that "former assistant" claim before.
Related:
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
John Calvert's Tribute to Houdini
In 1987, Calvert released a video called A Tribute to Houdini. It's a strange confection of random clips with Calvert the only constant. Calvert is very much a 1940s style magician wrapped into a very 1980s production, which makes this tape pretty weird and also kinda wonderful. The version I have must have been a later release. While the copyright is 1987, it contains a sudden segment about the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, with shots of Tammy Calvert flying through the skies above Berlin via video magic.
But what about Houdini in all this? The tape does open with photos and film footage of Houdini under synthesized '80s rock before introducing Calvert as the continuation of the great escapist. It also makes comparisons between the men throughout.
But probably the most interesting Houdini-related element is when Calvert and an uncredited assistant (a fine escape artist herself) do an "underwater Metamorphosis in reverse." Calvert says that Bess Houdini told him this was an effect that Houdini had been developing himself. I've never heard of this before, but it's pretty impressive, and this tape is worth owning just for a record of this unique feat.
So while this is barely a "tribute to Houdini," this is still a worthy piece of Houdiniana and some weird '80s fun.
Thanks to Bill Goodwin at the Magic Castle Library for providing me with this VHS.
Related:
Friday, June 29, 2018
Bill Kalush has been to the mountaintop
It's official. William Kalush now knows more about Houdini that anyone living (if he didn't already). That's because Bill, who co-wrote the 2006 biography, The Secret Life of Houdini, was recently granted unique access to Houdini's private diaries.
Last weekend Bill gave a talk about the diaries at the Cincinnati Magic Collectors conference (aka "Gathering of the Vultures"). I've only heard snippets about what Bill shared, but what I've heard has blown my mind!
The diaries start in 1904 and are handwritten with some typed inserts. Houdini appears to have added to his original entries over time. Bill showed several photos from the diaries, many that featured images of unknown posters. One photo shows Bess sitting at wheel of Houdini's Voisin bi-plane. Bill also showed ads that Houdini placed trying to sell the plane in 1910. There was also photo of a cabinet that Bill described as a possible precursor to the Water Torture Cell.
The diaries also revealed the existence of two hitherto unknown assistants; Thomas Clarke Pendrigh, who worked with Houdini for two years, and Harry Wittaker, who stole Houdini's secrets and went out on his own (and failed miserably). Houdini supported a female escape artist known as Oceana. He had gaffed cuffs made by Froggatt & Company. He once struggled 80 minutes inside a U.S. Navy boiler. And Bess once left £40,000 worth of jewelry in a cab in England. (Later recovered.)
One bombshell was the revelation that Houdini might have had a half sister named Peppi (possibly a daughter of Mayer Samuel before his marriage to Cecilia). Also, Chung Ling Soo told Houdini he had three wives, including a Jewish one.
During the Q&A, someone asked Bill if the diaries contained any information about Houdini being a spy. They did not.
While Bill said he could not reveal who owns the diaries, it's pretty well known that the family of Bernard M.L. Ernst, Houdini's lawyer, have held a collection of diaries since Houdini's death. So I'm assuming that's what Bill saw. The family have only provided limited access to select researchers in the past. In fact, Bill could not even get access to the diaries when he was writing his own book.
Here's hoping Bill will share what he learned in some larger way, perhaps in an upcoming issue of Gibecière, the journal of his own Conjuring Arts Research Center. But, for now, I'm perfectly happy knowing that someone has been to this particular mountaintop, and confirmed it is indeed a place of special knowledge.
Thanks to an attendee tipster, Bill Kalush, and Phil Schwartz at the excellent Thayer Magic forums for the info.
Related:
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
The Art of Escaping by Erin Callahan
Escape artist Dorothy Dietrich and the 1987 movie Young Harry Houdini provide inspiration for the young protagonist in The Art of Escaping, a new novel by Erin Callahan. Here's a description.
Author Erin Callahan will be appearing tomorrow (June 28) at Gibson's bookstore in Concord, New Hampshire, for the official book launch. There will also be a reading by Erin at the Houdini Museum of Scranton on July 14 at 5:00pm. You'll be able to get the book signed by Erin and Dorothy Dietrich herself!
For more information on Erin Callahan's work and upcoming appearances check out her official website.
The Art of Escaping can be purchased on Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK).
Related:
Seventeen-year-old Mattie has a hidden obsession: escapology. Emphasis on hidden. If anyone from school finds out, she’ll be abandoned to her haters. Facing a long and lonely summer, Mattie finally seeks out Miyu, the reclusive daughter of a world-renowned escape artist. Following in Houdini’s footsteps, Miyu helps Mattie secretly transform herself into an escapologist and performance artist.
When Will, a popular athlete from school, discovers Mattie’s act at an underground venue, Mattie fears her secret persona will be exposed. Instead of outing her, though, Will tells Mattie a secret not even his girlfriend knows. Through a blossoming friendship, the two must find a way to express their authentic selves.
Told through the perspectives of the witty main characters, this funny and fresh debut explores the power of stage personas and secret spaces, and speaks to the uncanny ways in which friendships transform us.
Author Erin Callahan will be appearing tomorrow (June 28) at Gibson's bookstore in Concord, New Hampshire, for the official book launch. There will also be a reading by Erin at the Houdini Museum of Scranton on July 14 at 5:00pm. You'll be able to get the book signed by Erin and Dorothy Dietrich herself!
For more information on Erin Callahan's work and upcoming appearances check out her official website.
The Art of Escaping can be purchased on Amazon.com (U.S.) and Amazon.co.uk (UK).
Related:
Houdini (1953) Confidential
I'll conclude my 65th anniversary celebration of Houdini (1953) with something a little kinky. These are from a series of promotional photos that, as far as I know, were never used. Yes, that's a lace straitjacket Janet Leigh is being put into by a lascivious Tony Curtis.
Even those these photos were taken by Life, my guess is they were earmarked for the men's magazines of the day, such as Gent, MAN, or Adam. These precursors to Playboy and Maxim offered male-centric stories and sexy photos, and flourished in the 1950s. So this was a way to reach a target male audience, although in a slightly underground way.
Of course, objectification was part of the job for an actress in the 1950s. Check out this bonkers photo from The Cincinnati Enquirer on June 28, 1953. This image ran widely in syndication without any explanation. I really don't know what's going on here--I'm sure it's innocent--but you can't deny it has a pretty horrible implication! #BessToo
Despite the predilections of the publicity department, the movie itself presents Bess as a strong-willed and intelligent woman, a true partner to Houdini in all regards. It's really one of the best and most positive portrayals of Bess Houdini ever put on screen. And throughout her life, Janet Leigh never expressed anything but positive memories of her time as Mrs. Houdini.
Related:
Even those these photos were taken by Life, my guess is they were earmarked for the men's magazines of the day, such as Gent, MAN, or Adam. These precursors to Playboy and Maxim offered male-centric stories and sexy photos, and flourished in the 1950s. So this was a way to reach a target male audience, although in a slightly underground way.
Of course, objectification was part of the job for an actress in the 1950s. Check out this bonkers photo from The Cincinnati Enquirer on June 28, 1953. This image ran widely in syndication without any explanation. I really don't know what's going on here--I'm sure it's innocent--but you can't deny it has a pretty horrible implication! #BessToo
Despite the predilections of the publicity department, the movie itself presents Bess as a strong-willed and intelligent woman, a true partner to Houdini in all regards. It's really one of the best and most positive portrayals of Bess Houdini ever put on screen. And throughout her life, Janet Leigh never expressed anything but positive memories of her time as Mrs. Houdini.
Related:
Friday, August 11, 2017
Unlocking Houdini's secrets in 1995
On May 24, 1995, NBC aired the one-hour special Houdini: Unlocking His Secrets hosted by Robert Urich. The show featured modern magicians performing Houdini's feats, intercut with biographical information. It's a well-done special with excellent performances and some nice Houdini photos and film footage. And despite the title, no secrets are revealed.
The stage performances were filmed at Ceasers Palace Circus Maximus on April 30, 1995 (tickets were given out free). Host Robert Urich narrates from the "Magic and Movie Hall of Fame" at O'Sheas Casino in Las Vegas. Here one gets a good look at items from the Dixie Dooley collection. Behind Urich for much of time is the Houdini packing case that Dixie famously retrieved from the basement of 278 in 1985.
It what should be a show highlight, Brett Daniels does Houdini's Water Torture Cell. However, the escape is robbed of tension by over production, with backlighting and smoke and various curtains sweeping up and down over the cell. For me, the best presentations of the USD -- Houdini, Henning, Steve Baker -- keep it a serious "test," too dangerous to load up with smoke machines. Raw tension is all the stagecraft required. Likewise, Jonathan Pendragon's "Exploding Coffin of Death" grand finale seems a little overwrought, but it's in line with the "extreme" escapes of the 90s. Apparently cut from the broadcast was Max Maven who demonstrated the tricks of fraudulent mediums. A shame this wasn't included in the home video release.
The film footage is credited as coming from the collection of Manny Weltman "by agreement with Nanette Weltman" (Manny died that year). Another notable name in the credits is Executive Producer Gerald W. Abrams, who would go on to make the Houdini Miniseries with Adrian Brody in 2014. Maybe this is where he first discovered the power of selling Houdini?
Houdini: Unlocking His Secrets was released on VHS by Goodtimes Video in 1996. Without commercials, the show comes in at only 30 minutes. It can can still be purchased at Amazon. Unfortunately, the show never made it to DVD.
Below are links to a few other Houdini television specials from the recent past.
Related:
I recently launched a new standalone page devoted to Houdini documentaries and appearances on investigative and reality TV. Check it out under "Media" in the top menu bar or click HERE.
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Remembering Celeste Evans
Last month pioneering magician and escape artist Celeste Evans died at age 85. Born on New Year's Eve 1931, Evans toured extensively in the Far East as a State Department entertainer. After a 1957 of Africa, she settled in Chicago and toured the Playboy Club circuit. Celeste was possibly the first female magician to perform dove magic, made more difficult by the fact that she only wore gowns, leotards, and jumpsuits in her act. She retired from magic in 2003 to run her husband's management business. She passed away on July 25, 2017.
Below is Celeste's appearance on the classic CBS game show To Tell The Truth on May 21, 1957. Houdini is mentioned several times. In fact, the answer to a Houdini question is the deciding factor for one of the judges.
Celeste Evan's obituary appears in the August 2017 Academy of Magical Arts/Magic Castle newsletter.
Thanks to Dustin Stinett.
Related:
Below is Celeste's appearance on the classic CBS game show To Tell The Truth on May 21, 1957. Houdini is mentioned several times. In fact, the answer to a Houdini question is the deciding factor for one of the judges.
Celeste Evan's obituary appears in the August 2017 Academy of Magical Arts/Magic Castle newsletter.
Thanks to Dustin Stinett.
Related:
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Wonder Woman - escape artist
First off, if you've seen the movie, you might have noticed that an escape artist makes a quick appearance on a London street freeing himself from chains. Even though the movie is set during Houdini's lifetime (World War I), it's unlikely this is supposed to be Houdini himself. The website Movies.com speculates that this could be Thaddeus Brown, the mentor to another D.C. Comic hero, Mister Miracle "Master Escape Artist."
While Houdini has met Batman, we've yet to see a Wonder Woman Houdini mash-up. But Diana has played Houdini herself on occasion. Check out this passage in the book Wonder Woman Unbound: The Curious History of the World's Most Famous Heroine:
In Wonder Woman #6, dated Fall 1943, Wonder Woman appeared at a charity function to benefit the women and children of Europe affected by the war. The main event was a Houdini-like escape, where Wonder Woman was chained up and submerged in a tank of water. It was one of the rare instances outside or Paradise Island where Wonder Woman was willingly bound. Of course, everything went wrong. Cheetah added the golden lasso to Wonder Woman's bonds and she barely got out of the tank alive.
Of course, capture and escape is a regular part of Wonder Woman's everyday job. Below are a couple of panels that seem inspired (consciously or unconsciously) by Houdini. Escaping from his Milk Can after it was filled with real milk was something Houdini did from time to time. And Diana's use of the air space at the top of the tank seems right out of Houdini's under the ice exploit.
Oh, and then there's this:
Below are links to a few more "wonder women" escape artists.
UPDATE: Another connection has been pointed out to me on the Houdini & Doyle Fan Group. In the new movie young Diana is played by Emily Carey who also played Mary Doyle in last year's Houdini & Doyle ITV/Fox series.
Related:
Sunday, March 27, 2016
MUM celebrates Dorothy Dietrich
The April 2016 issue of MUM Magazine features a cover story about our good friend and living legend Dorothy Dietrich. The interview by Bruce Kalver is candid and fascinating, largely covering the highs and lows of Dorothy's upbringing and early years in New York City. It's a must read.
Related:
"After the show, an elderly gentleman was backstage and came over to me to say that he absolutely adored what I did. He went on to say that he had not seen anyone with the kind of command of the audience that I have. The last time he saw that was when he saw Houdini. I thought was this guy was pitching me or something. As he was walking away, someone asked me if I knew who that was. I said no. It was Walter Gibson."
SAM members can read the online version at the SAM website. There's also a bonus "Backstage" podcast that non-members can listen to HERE.
Thanks to Bruce Kalver and Dick Brookz.
UPDATE: You can now read the entire interview at the Houdini Museum website.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)