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.

John Bengtson has passed away

I'm very sad to learn that the great John Bengtson has passed away. John was a giant among film historians and THE man when it came to finding silent movie locations. He was an incredible researcher and sleuth, and a true inspiration. He shared his discoveries in several books and on his YouTube channel, Silent Locations. He was also a very nice guy who was incredibly generous with his time and knowledge. In 2015, he hunted down several locations from Houdini's The Grim Game. I'll share links below. As a specialized historian, he seems irreplaceable. His work lives on through his books and videos, but he will be missed. 

Happy travels, my friend.

Hollywood Heritage

I encourage you to visit John's Silent Locations YouTube Channel, website, and pick up his books: Silent Traces, Silent Echoes, and Silent Visions.

Below are some of John's Houdini-related discoveries that I have shared here over the years:

John Bengtson uncovers Grim Game filming locations

More Grim Game locations identified by John Bengtson

John Bengtson finds Houdini's crash site

The Grim Game house

Houdini's great wall

The Grim Game jail break behind the scenes

The Chaplin-Keaton-Lloyd (and Houdini!) alley

The Chaplin-Keaton-Lloyd (and Houdini) Alley video

LINK: Houdini solves a Charlie Chaplin mystery!

Houdini in the Cahuenga alley

Locating Houdini's lion

Houdini's Westlake leap

Houdini Voisin model creator Ian Satur passes away

Sad news out of Australia. Ian Satur, who built the one-third-scale model of Houdini's Voisin biplane for the 2010 Centenary of Flight celebrations in Diggers Rest, has passed away. The below was posted over the weekend on the Diggers Rest Facebook page. Funeral services were held today.

Below are links where you can see more of Ian's work.

Related:

• Building Houdini’s Voisin
• Model of Houdini's plane is safe for now
• Houdini's plane has nowhere to land

Thank you Mr Piffles

I'm sad to learn today of the loss of Mr. Piffles, the companion and performing partner of Piff the Magic Dragon. Watching this beautiful tribute video, I cannot help but be reminded of the eulogy Houdini penned for his own dog, Bobby, "The Only Handcuff King Dog in the World," in 1918. R.I.P. Mr. Piffles.

You read more about the life of Mr. Piffles at the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Related:

• Charlie lost!
• Houdini and Don the Talking Dog
• Guest Blog: The Bobby Handcuffs come home

William V. Rauscher (1932-2024)

David Haversat reports that William V. Rauscher has died. Below is the email David sent out moments ago.

William V. Rauscher (1932-2024)  

The Reverend Canon William V. Rauscher was a magician, a psychic researcher, a biographer, and an Episcopal priest who served as rector of Christ Church in Woodbury, New Jersey, for 36 years. For four years Bill served as president of Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship (SFF), an organization focused on the implications of psychic phenomena for religion. At its peak SFF had 6000 members.

Bill was a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Order of Merlin Excelsior. He was also a collector of magic and owned and performed the Flight of Time, the last illusion invented by Harry Houdini. He wrote 17 biographies of magicians. Bill maintained friendships with psychics, debunkers, fraudulent mediums, and the sixth man who walked on the moon, Edgar Mitchell, of whom he wrote a biography. He had psychic experiences himself but also exposed fraud in Spiritualism. He played a key role in publication of The Psychic Mafia, a most amazing exposé in the history of Spiritualism.

Rauscher received five writing awards from The Linking Ring, the magazine of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) and had been a member of the organization for 75 years. He was elected to the Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.) Hall of Fame. In 1996 the New England Magic Collectors Association honored him for his many contributions to the art of magic. In 1991 he received the Milbourne Christopher Foundation award for his contributions to magic, noting his performing and writing, and in 2007 he was honored with the Christopher Literary Award. In 2023 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Magic Castle’s Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood. That same year he was honored with the prestigious John Neville Maskelyne Prize for noteworthy contributions to the art or literature of magic from London’s Magic Circle.

Today we remember our friend Bill, an amazing person who touched the lives of so many.

Rauscher the Magician performing Houdini's Flight of Time.

Houdini buffs will know Bill Rauscher as the author of The Houdini Code Mystery, Hardeen: Monarch of Manacles, and co-author of Arthur Ford: The Man Who Talked With The Dead. Bill knew Arthur Ford well. He also lectured on the Houdini Code and controversy.

I'm honored to have known Bill. He was always generous with his time and information. He was one of the rare Houdini truth seekers. He will be missed.

UPDATE: You can now read his full obituary in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Related:

• Guest blog: William V. Rauscher on Houdini and the Hippodrome
• Bill Rauscher on Arthur Ford and the Houdini Code
• William Rauscher's Hardeen book released

Ed Saint's dynamite

I recently discovered a lengthy obituary for Edward Saint in the Oct. 23, 1942, Hollywood Citizen. Some terrific quotes from Bess in it. But it was the following paragraph that really caught my attention:

    During the past few years Mr. Saint had been writing a book about Houdini which he planned to call "Houdini's Dynamite." It was believed nearly completed, but the manuscript has not yet been found. Mrs. Houdini said it would be placed in the hands of another prominent magician to complete.

A Houdini book by Ed Saint called "Houdini's Dynamite"? Now that's dy-no-mite! (Anyone understand that reference?)

Unfortunately, this is the first and last I've ever heard of this. Could the manuscript still be out there somewhere? The title suggests the book may have been focused on Houdini's spirit debunking.

I guess we can include Houdini's Dynamite by Edward Saint alongside The Truth About Houdini by Theo Hardeen and The Other Side of Houdini by Kreskin as a Houdini book that might have been.

Want more? You can read the full obituary as a "Scholar" member of my Patreon.

Related:

• Hardeen's unpublished Houdini book
• Kreskin's unpublished Houdini book
• Secret recordings of Edward Saint revealed

Milt Larsen, 1931-2023

Sad news today. Milt Larsen, who co-founded the Magic Castle in Hollywood with his brother Bill, has passed away at age 92. Arlene Larsen released a statement that went out to members today:

My beloved husband, Milt, passed away peacefully last night in his sleep after 92 magical years. I was fortunate enough to have spoken with him right before he went to bed, and he was in great spirits. He led an incredible life, and I want to especially thank Randy and Kristy Pitchford for making Milt’s last year so special for him. In the coming days and weeks there will doubtless be opportunities for us all to celebrate Milt’s life.

In the meantime, I ask for some time to grieve in private and for no gifts or flowers to be sent to our home. Thank you all for your love and support. Milt will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

It just so happens that I was at the Magic Castle last night having a wonderful evening with Bruce Averbook, Mike Caveney, Patrick Culliton, John Gaughan, and other magic friends. At the end of the night Patrick and I dropped into the Houdini Room. There, as always, we looked at the photo of a 6-year-old Milt performing magic for Bess Houdini.

Milt was always happy to share his memories of Bess as "a very nice lady." Well, Milt was a very nice gentlemen. His contributions to the world of magic cannot be overstated. He was loved and will be missed.

So hello to Harry, Bess, and the rest of the gang, Milt!

Related:

• Irene Larsen, 1936 - 2016
• Randy Pitchford purchases The Magic Castle

Helen Keller on Houdini

Like Houdini, Helen Keller is one of those remarkable figures in American history that every grade schooler learns about. Rendered deaf, dumb, and blind by illness at 19 months, she was miraculously educated by her famous teacher, Anne Sullivan, and grew up to became a prolific writer, disability rights advocate, and lecturer. Like Houdini, her inspirational life story has been told in many books, plays, and movies.

That's why finding the below was such a treat. This appeared in the Buffalo Evening News shortly after Houdini's death. I'll let Helen speak for herself.

Buffalo Evening News, Nov. 8, 1926.

One of those times Helen would have experienced a Houdini performance was at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Fransisco. As you can see below, Houdini and Keller were featured attractions on November 6th.

Today you can always find Houdini and Helen sharing a bookshelf.

Related:

• 100 years ago: Houdini in the drink and at the clink
• USC says Houdini "deserving of a monument"
• The outlier

My Max Maven moment

This week came sad news of the death of Max Maven at age 71. I don't need to tell you that Max was a famous magician and mentalist, maybe the most famous mentalist since Dunninger. He was also a big part of the Magic Castle community. I saw Max many times at the Castle and recognized him as a famous figure in magic. But I was too shy to introduce myself. Hey, he was pretty scary looking! And why would Max Maven want to meet me?

Flash forward to the 2015 Los Angeles Magic History Conference, which I attended. During one of the shows in the main ballroom John Gaughan surprised us all when Q The Automaton from The Master Mystery suddenly lumbered through the audience. It was a great moment. But I'll never forget what happened after the show ended.

I was getting up from my chair when Max Maven stepped up to me. He smiled warmly and said, "I thought you should have this." He then handed me a plastic rivet. Apparently, it had popped off Q when he marched through the audience and landed right in front of Max. It was a double whammy moment. Not only was I meeting the great Max Maven. But he knew exactly who I was!

I still have that rivet. It sits in my main display case along with signed Houdini photos and other treasures. But it's not there because it came off John Gaughan's Q. I cherish it because it was given to me by Max Maven.

From that moment on I always greeted Max at the Castle and was honored to see him in the front row during some of my talks. He was always open, generous, and friendly. I also came to understand him as a person of great wisdom and humility. He was a role model not just as a performer but as a human being. I'm not surprised to the see the outpouring of love shown by so many with this news of his passing.

Goodbye Max. Thank you for a lifetime of magic. And thanks again for the rivet.

Related:

• Max Maven Dies: Mentalist And Magical Historian Was 71 (Deadline)
• Max Maven (The Jerx)
• Look who dropped by the L.A. Magic History Conference

R.I.P. Queen Elizabeth II

Hard to believe the last time England lost a Queen #HarryHoudini was appearing in London and only 26. R.I.P. Your Majesty. pic.twitter.com/eIprFIsp6I

— John Cox (@HoudiniWild) September 8, 2022

R.I.P. David Warner and Paul Sorvino

Yesterday saw the loss of two celebrated actors who, ironically, both appeared in the 1998 TNT original movie HOUDINI.

English actor David Warner passed away at age 80. Warner portrayed Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to Johnathon Schaech's Houdini in the film. The biopic condensed their famous friendship and falling out into a single visit to Doyle's home, but Warner's gravitas made for a great Sir Arthur. I'm also a fan of his turn as Jack the Ripper in the excellent Time After Time.

Actor Paul Sorvino also died yesterday at age 83. Sorvino portrayed the fictional radio announcer "Blackburn" in the movie's recreation of the Final Houdini Seance.

Check out the blog Travalanche by Trav S.D. for tributes to both David Warner and Paul Sorvino.

Related:

• 20th anniversary of TNT's HOUDINI
• Houdini (1998) now available on DVD
• The real story of Houdini & Doyle

James Caan's Houdini moment

I'm sorry to learn today of the passing of actor James Caan. While Caan is well-known for a myriad of famous film roles, I always think of him as one of the actors touted as a possible Houdini. In 1974 Caan was favored by producer Ray Stark for what was then called, The Magic Man: The Story of Houdini.

Variety, Sept. 18, 1974

At this time Caan was on everyone's short-list of leading men, so it's hard to know how seriously he considered the part. Ultimately, Caan never played Houdini and Stark never made his Houdini film. But it's always fun to think about what might have been!

You can read James Caan's obituary at Deadline Hollywood.

Related:

• The men who almost played Houdini
• Ray Stark's 35 year Houdini conundrum
• My choice for Houdini is still Tom Cruise

R.I.P. Gilbert Gottfried, Shoedini spokesman

Yesterday came the sad news that comedian Gilbert Gottfried passed away at age 67. While Gilbert will be remembered for his ground-breaking standup and iconic film roles, I think he wins a seat at Houdini's table in heaven with this.

Gilbert was also close friends with Penn Jillette. Check out this video posted yesterday by Harrison Greenbaum in which Penn and Gilbert share a story. 

You can read Gilbert Gottfried's obituary here.

Related:

• Houdini...the corkscrew
• Houdini the Budget Gourmet
• Huggies Houdini commercial from 1992

Ron Cartlidge has passed away

We end the year with some sad news. Ron Cartlidge, who wrote the groundbreaking 2002 book, Houdini’s Texas Tours 1916 & 1923, passed away on December 12 at age 82.

Ron was a member of the I.B.M., The Magic Circle, and a Life Member of the S.A.M. He was Past President of S.A.M. Assembly #206 and served as the Chairman of the Austin World Famous Magic Auctions for 11 years.

I was happy to have met Ron at the Midwest Magic History Weekend in Marshall in 2015 (where the photo on the right was taken). I always looked to him as the go-to guy when it came to Houdini in Texas. It's even said that fellow Texan George W. Bush kept a copy of Ron's Houdini book in the White House.

Ron self-published two follow-ups to his Texas book: Houdini and the Ku Klux Klan (2005) and Houdini's Final Texas Tour (2010).

Ron is survived by his children, Justin and Jennifer. You can read his full obituary at the Austin-American Statesman.

Thanks to Randyb Naylor.

Related:

• Houdini tours Texas
• LINK: Houdini’s Final Texas Tour By Ron Cartlidge
• REPORT: The Midwest Magic History Weekend 2015

Stuart Damon dies at age 84

Actor Stuart Damon has died at age 84. While Damon is best known for his roles on TV's General Hospital and The Champions, we know him as Houdini in the 1966 London stage musical Man of Magic.

You can read more about the life and career of Stuart Damon HERE. Check out the below links for more about Man of Magic.

Related:

• The first Houdini stage musical, MAN OF MAGIC
• A reader remembers 'Man of Magic'
• 'Man of Magic' to be released as limited edition CD

Hardeen dies at Doctors Hospital in 1945

We spend endless amounts of time going over every detail of Houdini's death. But the death of Hardeen rarely gets discussed. I admit I don't know many of the details. But we all love Dash, so here is the death announcement that ran in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 76 years ago today.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 12, 1945

I believe the operation Dash underwent on May 30 was for his ulcers and his death was the result of an infection. Although I'm not positive of that.

Doctors Hospital was located at 170 East End Avenue, between 87th and 88th Streets on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It was razed in 2005 and today is the site of a condominium building. The hospital's Wikipedia page notes Hardeen as one of its famous patients.

Doctors Hospital in Manhattan.

Related:

• Theodore "Dash" Hardeen
• Brother's keeper
• Hear the full recording of Hardeen on WNYC radio

George Segal dies at 87

Actor George Segal has passed away at age 87. While Segal is well known for his many roles in film and television, including an Oscar nomination for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, we know him as the man who portrayed manager Martin Beck in the 1998 TNT biopic Houdini with Johnathon Schaech. It's the only time Beck has appeared in a Houdini movie.

You can read more about Segal's life and career at Deadline Hollywood.

Related:

• HOUDINI (1998)
• Martin Beck - the man who discovered Houdini

Mark Wilson, 1929-2021

Yesterday saw the passing of yet another magic legend, Mark Wilson. Mark Wilson was a big part of my early discovery of magic, appearing in just about every magic magazine I purchased and always on television. In my mind he was the model magician.

Wilson was no stranger to the Magic Castle's Houdini Room. He also created the "Aquarian Illusion," a cross between Houdini's Water Torture Cell and Metamorphosis. You can watch him perform it on the 1981 HBO special Mumbo Jumbo. It's Magic! on YouTube.

It was always a thrill to see Mark, his wife Nani, and son Greg at Magic Castle functions. I never got over the fact that I was in the same room with a legend.

R.I.P. Mark Wilson. One of the greats!

Photo from 'The Original Houdini Scrapbook' by Walter B. Gibson.

LINK: Memories of George Goebel

There has been a lot of sad news out of the magic world this month with the passing of Las Vegas magic legend Siegfried Fischbacher and sleight of hand master David Roth. But I was not aware that magician and Houdini collector George Goebel also passed away on January 4th. I never had the pleasure of meeting George, but Joe Notaro did in 2018.

Today Joe shares his memories of George on his site Harry Houdini Circumstantial Evidence. You get a good taste of George's many Houdini treasures and his generosity.

Click here or on the headline to have a read.

Related:

• Joe Notaro finds Houdini on the East Coast
• R.I.P. Roy Horn

R.I.P. Alex Trebek

By now I'm sure everyone has heard the sad news that long-time Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek passed away at age 80. Houdini always made for a good question during Trebek's 36 years, and he did again last night. The category was MAGIC and this was for $800. Don't forget to answer in the form of a question.

To see the full board check out the J! Archive website where you can also see all mentions of Houdini on the show going back to 1986.

Thanks to Janet Davis for the alert and pic.

Related: 

• Who coined the word "Escapologist"?
• "I'll take Houdini for $1000, Alex."
• Houdini is a Daily Double