Flashback: Houdini vs. Success

I've always felt like Houdini's escape from the famed prison ship Success on June 4, 1913 doesn't get enough attention as one of his greatest escapes. But it really was! It's also, I believe, his last official "jailbreak."

So on this 110th anniversary, why not click back to my deep dive from 2018 and give it some love:

Houdini vs. Captain Smith and the Success

Related:

• Houdini the Jail Breaker

FLASHBACK: When Houdini met (The) Batman

I saw The Batman this weekend and really enjoyed it. No hidden Houdinis, but I was reminded that Houdini and a similarly dark and realistic version of Batman met up in 1993 graphic novel, The Devil's Workshop. 

I figured this was a good time to re-share my 2012 post about that book. So click the headline to have a read, Bat-fans.

Related:

• Houdini's SPAWN
• Houdini will meet The Shadow
• Houdini goes Looney Tunes

FLASHBACK: The beginning of the end

It was 95 years ago today that Houdini was punched in the stomach by J. Gordon Whitehead in the dressing room of the Princess Theater in Montreal. This would lead to his death nine days later on Halloween. To mark the occasion, here's a link back to a post from 2016 that details that fatal dressing room encounter. Click the headline to go.

Related:

• Princess Theater closes its doors
• The eyewitness - Smiley's sketch
• Is this J. Gordon Whitehead at McGill in 1926?

FLASHBACK: The Prison Cell & Barrel Mystery

It was 117 years ago today that Houdini introduced his Prison Cell & Barrel Mystery at the Regent Theater in Salford. It was his first original invention since Metamorphosis and he featured it for several years. So why is this escape almost completely forgotten today?

I tackled that question back in 2017. So on this anniversary, why not revisit: The Prison Cell & Barrel Mystery...or misfire?

The Shelton pool test at 95

It was 95 years ago today that Houdini remained sealed in an underwater casket for over an hour in the pool of the Hotel Shelton in New York City. This was his last nationally covered outdoor stunt.

CLICK HERE to revisit a post I did on the 90th anniversary with all the details of this amazing feat.

Related:

• The Hotel Shelton pool in color
• James Randi on his Shelton pool test
• Four photos from Houdini's Worcester YMCA test

FLASHBACK: Houdini's madcap Hollywood lunch

During my summer slowdown I thought I'd offer up some relevant "flashback" posts to scratch that Houdini history itch. Today we head to Hollywood.

On July 27, 1919, Houdini visited the set of the movie Back Stage at the Comique Studio in Edendale, CA. Relive his "madcap" encounter with some of the top movie comedians of the day in THIS POST from 2018.

FLASHBACK: Houdini's first stunt in Times Square

During my summer slowdown I'm offering up some relevant "flashback" posts. Today we head to NYC.

It was 109 yers ago today that Houdini did his first outdoor stunt in New York's Times Square and, no, it wasn't a suspended straitjacket escape. It was something that is now largely forgotten. 

But you can remember it by CLICKING HERE and revisiting my post from 2018.

FLASHBACK: Death in Asbury Park

During my summer slowdown I thought I'd offer up some relevant "flashback" posts to scratch that Houdini history itch. Today we mark a dark anniversary.

On July 17, 1913, Houdini's mother died in Asbury Park, New Jersey. CLICK HERE for a post from 2016 that deep dives into these tragic few days 108 year ago.

FLASHBACK: When Houdini walked through a brick wall

It was 107 years ago today that Houdini debuted his "Walking Through A Brick Wall" at Hammerstein's Roof Garden and Victoria Theatre in New York City. He would only do the effect for single week, but it remains one of his most famous feats of magic.

CLICK HERE to revisit a post I did on the 100th anniversary of Walking Through A Brick Wall.

Related:

• Summer slowdown

FLASHBACK: The shark stunt

During my summer slowdown I thought I'd offer up some relevant "flashback" posts to scratch that Houdini history itch. Here's the first.

In the summer of 1916, Houdini announced a publicity stunt like no other. He would fight a man eating shark! Did he do it? CLICK HERE to revisit my post from 2017 and find out.

10th Anniversary: The Worcester YMCA pool test

As part of WILD ABOUT HARRY's 10th anniversary, I will post links back to significant stories from 2010 with a ten year follow up. Today I share the first of these flashbacks from January 26, 2010.

Houdini's famous Shelton Pool test is well known. But you'll barely find any mention of his second underwater endurance test performed at the Worcester YMCA a month later. So click the link below and travel back 10 years to read all about:

Uncovering Houdini’s SECOND underwater test

TEN YEAR UPDATE: This still remains a largely unknown Houdini stunt and the photo above is still the only known image. I wish I had more to share. But what I had 10 years ago is still pretty much all I know.

UPDATE: Reader Jay Hunter has provided four remarkable must see photos from this test, SO GO!

Related:

• Welcome to our WILD 10th year

FLASHBACK: The birthday magician

Magicians who endure the trials and tribulations of performing at children's birthday parties can take comfort in knowing that they are following in the footsteps of The Great Houdini himself! Yes, at the height of his career, Houdini performed as "birthday magician," and his audience was every bit as unruly as any group of children hopped on sugar. The only difference is these children were all named Roosevelt.

Click below for this "flashback" post from September 9, 2013 and learn all about...

Houdini's toughest audience

FLASHBACK: Houdini's pal Hilliar

As we count down to Halloween and the 90th anniversary of Houdini's death, I'm kicking off my own celebration with a flashback to this post from 2013 about and Houdini and his good friend magician William J. Hilliar.

This is a warm-up for a very special two-part post that I'll roll out tomorrow (Oct. 29) and on Monday (Halloween). It's my way of commemorating this 90th year, and is something I've been holding back for a special occasion. I think you will find it "revealing."

But for today, click to revisit: Houdini and Hilliar.

FLASHBACK: Making The Great Houdinis

This weekend I'll celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Great Houdinis, the 1976 television biopic starring Paul Michael Glaser and Sally Struthers. I thought I'd kick things off with a flashback to this 2011 post about the making of the movie. This was one of my first big research projects for WILD ABOUT HARRY, so I have a soft spot for it, as I do the film itself. Enjoy.

MAKING THE GREAT HOUDINIS

FLASHBACK: Ed and Bess on the record

Here's a look back at a story from 2011 about secret recordings made by Edward Saint while he and Bess lived in Hollywood in the 1930s. These were discussed by John Booth in a 1966 issue of The Linking Ring.

I'm flashing back to this today as a refresher and teaser for an update tomorrow that you won't want to miss!

FLASHBACK: Houdini's busted bust

As we count down to the 100th anniversary of the exedra in Machpelah cemetery, I thought I'd direct readers back to this post from January 2013 when I shared photos of Houdini's original vandalized grave bust. These were sent by an anonymous reader and kicked off quite a discussion in the comments section, with one reader convinced that this posting constituted a crime!

After I posted this, the mystery owner vanished and the bust has never again surfaced. It was all very curious, but it's still an amazing thing to see. So click below and revisit:

HOUDINI'S ORIGINAL GRAVE BUST REVEALED!

*Do you like the idea of periodic "flashback" posts like this? Feel free to give me feedback below.