Showing posts with label Red Magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red Magic. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Welcome to a WILD new year
Let's kick off 2025 with a New Year puzzle from Red Magic that appeared 100 years ago. 1925 was an exciting year for Houdini, and I think 2025 will be an exciting one for us. There will be several new books, at least one major play, and some significant centenaries. So let's go wild!
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Ernie Bushmiller and Houdini
Our friend Todd Karr of The Miracle Factory has made a nice discovery in the recently released book Three Rocks: The Story of Ernie Bushmiller: The Man Who Created Nancy by Bill Griffith. I had no idea Ernie Bushmiller had a connection to Houdini, so this is a great find. I'll let the photo Todd sent speak for itself.
Related:
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| Click to enlarge |
By the way, I'm betting the launch party depicted in the top illustration is the same Red Magic luncheon I highlighted in my 2011 post about Houdini's wristwatch.
You can buy Three Rocks: The Story of Ernie Bushmiller: The Man Who Created Nancy on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
Thank you, Todd!
Related:
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Mystifier, First Quarter 2001
Continuing my issue by issue look back at the Mystifier, the newsletter of the Houdini Historical Center that ran from 1991-2003.
The first quarter 2001 Mystifier features excerpts from a questionnaire Houdini filled out in Bess's autograph book in 1909. HHC curator Kimberly Louagie says, "An unusual piece of history, it gives some insight into the Handcuff King's psyche. Many of his answers revealed a man with simple tastes, a flair for sarcasm, and tongue-in-cheek comebacks." Below are a few examples:
Q. What characteristics do you most admire in a man?
A. Bashfulness.
Q. What do you consider your best quality?
A. My hatred for publicity.
Q. What gives you most annoyance?
A. Drawing my salary.
Q. Do you think women should take part in public life?
A. Yes...
Q. What is your favorite motto?
A. "Do others or they will do you."
Q. Whom do you consider the greatest magician of the present age?
A. "Rigo" the Gipsy.
Q. Whom do you consider the greatest author of the present age?
A. Modesty forbids me, writing my name!
Q. Who is your hero or heroine in life.
A. My mother-in-law.
Q. Name the composer whose music you enjoy.
A. Franz Kukol.
This is followed by a report on Sidney Radner's donation of an almost complete file of Houdini's Red Magic newspaper circular from 1924 to 1926. The newsletter also contains an except from one of the issues. Kimberly Louagie then provides a detailed overview of the 2000 Official Houdini Seance held at the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center.
In his "Backstage" column, Sid Radner reports on some recent mentions of Houdini's name in connection with famous sports figures, such as Chuck "Hitman" Hiter and Tiger Woods. He then asks readers to clip and send any mention of Houdini in newspapers or magazines with hopes that this could help convince the post office to go ahead with their proposed Houdini stamp.
Sid also notes that the March issue of Genii contains a two page story on the new Houdini Museum at the Venetian Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. He then gives a shout out to the Houdini Club of Wisconsin and their upcoming convention at the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton. "It's good to see Houdini's hometown welcome him back to enthusiastically," says Sid.
The first quarter 2001 Mystifier features excerpts from a questionnaire Houdini filled out in Bess's autograph book in 1909. HHC curator Kimberly Louagie says, "An unusual piece of history, it gives some insight into the Handcuff King's psyche. Many of his answers revealed a man with simple tastes, a flair for sarcasm, and tongue-in-cheek comebacks." Below are a few examples:
Q. What characteristics do you most admire in a man?
A. Bashfulness.
Q. What do you consider your best quality?
A. My hatred for publicity.
Q. What gives you most annoyance?
A. Drawing my salary.
Q. Do you think women should take part in public life?
A. Yes...
Q. What is your favorite motto?
A. "Do others or they will do you."
Q. Whom do you consider the greatest magician of the present age?
A. "Rigo" the Gipsy.
Q. Whom do you consider the greatest author of the present age?
A. Modesty forbids me, writing my name!
Q. Who is your hero or heroine in life.
A. My mother-in-law.
Q. Name the composer whose music you enjoy.
A. Franz Kukol.
This is followed by a report on Sidney Radner's donation of an almost complete file of Houdini's Red Magic newspaper circular from 1924 to 1926. The newsletter also contains an except from one of the issues. Kimberly Louagie then provides a detailed overview of the 2000 Official Houdini Seance held at the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center.
In his "Backstage" column, Sid Radner reports on some recent mentions of Houdini's name in connection with famous sports figures, such as Chuck "Hitman" Hiter and Tiger Woods. He then asks readers to clip and send any mention of Houdini in newspapers or magazines with hopes that this could help convince the post office to go ahead with their proposed Houdini stamp.Sid also notes that the March issue of Genii contains a two page story on the new Houdini Museum at the Venetian Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. He then gives a shout out to the Houdini Club of Wisconsin and their upcoming convention at the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton. "It's good to see Houdini's hometown welcome him back to enthusiastically," says Sid.
Mystifier
Volume 11, Number 1
First Quarter, 2001
6 pages
Contents:
Q and A: Excerpts from an Interview with Houdini
Houdini's Red Magic
Seance Report
Houdini's Red Magic
Seance Report
Backstage with Sid Radner
Related:
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Houdini now partying in Russia
A new reprint of the 1927 book, Houdini's Book of Magic and Party Pastimes, has been published in Russia by Izdatelskii Dom Meshcheriakova. While Russian readers can purchase the book here, it is also available on Amazon.com.
Houdini's Book of Magic and Party Pastimes was first published by Stoll & Edwards, Co., New York, in 1927. The copyright reads: "Beatrice Houdini, Executrix of the Estate of Harry Houdini." Much of the content comes from Houdini's "Red Magic" column. As far as I know, this Russian edition is the first reprinting.
Thanks to Andrey Fedorov for this discovery and Kevin Connolly for sharing it on his blog Houdini Himself.
Houdini's Book of Magic and Party Pastimes was first published by Stoll & Edwards, Co., New York, in 1927. The copyright reads: "Beatrice Houdini, Executrix of the Estate of Harry Houdini." Much of the content comes from Houdini's "Red Magic" column. As far as I know, this Russian edition is the first reprinting.
 |
| Original 1927 edition. |
Thanks to Andrey Fedorov for this discovery and Kevin Connolly for sharing it on his blog Houdini Himself.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Is this Houdini's most amazing trick?
Here's something really unique and wonderful from our friend Tom Interval of HoudiniMuseum.org. The video Tom made explains it better than I can, so check out "The Houdini Alphabet" below. (I wonder if this ever appeared in Red Magic?)
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Houdini's wristwatch
In my recent post about Houdini's third buried alive test, an eagle-eyed reader spotted what appears to be a watch on Houdini's wrist and posted in the Comments section:
At the time I didn't have any information for him, and I even doubted whether it was a wristwatch. We all know of Houdini's pocket watch (a present from Bessie that famously contains his actual birthdate), so I wasn't convinced Houdini ever wore a wristwatch. I thought maybe this was a band to monitor his pulse during the Shelton buried alive test.
But now, thanks to The Culliton Papers, we have information on, yes, Houdini's wristwatch!
According to an article that appeared in The New York World under the terrific headline: "Dainty Darby Grips Iron Wrist Of Houdini In Resistless Clutch," Houdini was given a wristwatch by The World editors during a luncheon at Moneta's restaurant at 32 Mulberry Street in New York City in commemoration of his first year "as a newspaperman."
The reference here is to Houdini's weekly Red Magic insert, a collection of puzzles, brain teasers, and magic tricks "Edited by the World Famous Houdini" that ran in The New York World and syndication from November 16, 1924 to February 22, 1931 (328 issues).
The article notes that this is the first wristwatch Houdini "has ever had on -- his wrists are more familiar with the grip of the handcuffs from which he so easily escapes than the gentler grasp of a leather strap." It goes on to quote Houdini as saying it is "one fetter from which he will never be freed by any action of his own."
The clipping is without a date, but as Red Magic started in 1924, we can assume it's from that year. This makes it very likely to be the watch we see in the Shelton photo, which was taken in August 1926. Unfortunately, the article gives no indication of what kind of wristwatch was presented to Houdini that day, but our eagle-eyed reader offers up one suggestion:
Of course, this raises the inevitable question. Where is this wristwatch today?
By the way, Moneta's remained in business until the 1940s, and the original Moneta's name could still be seen on the building at 32 Mulberry Street until at least 2010 when it was converted into a Parisian nightclub called La Baron.
Publication dates for Red Magic came from the invaluable Houdini Periodical Bibliography by Arthur Moses.
Also enjoy:
"The first pic of Houdini standing by the pool I see he is wearing a wristwatch and this is the only pic I have ever seen of Houdini wearing a watch that I can remember. Does anyone know what brand of watch Houdini wore? (watch enthusiast here)!"
At the time I didn't have any information for him, and I even doubted whether it was a wristwatch. We all know of Houdini's pocket watch (a present from Bessie that famously contains his actual birthdate), so I wasn't convinced Houdini ever wore a wristwatch. I thought maybe this was a band to monitor his pulse during the Shelton buried alive test.
But now, thanks to The Culliton Papers, we have information on, yes, Houdini's wristwatch!
According to an article that appeared in The New York World under the terrific headline: "Dainty Darby Grips Iron Wrist Of Houdini In Resistless Clutch," Houdini was given a wristwatch by The World editors during a luncheon at Moneta's restaurant at 32 Mulberry Street in New York City in commemoration of his first year "as a newspaperman."
The article notes that this is the first wristwatch Houdini "has ever had on -- his wrists are more familiar with the grip of the handcuffs from which he so easily escapes than the gentler grasp of a leather strap." It goes on to quote Houdini as saying it is "one fetter from which he will never be freed by any action of his own."
The clipping is without a date, but as Red Magic started in 1924, we can assume it's from that year. This makes it very likely to be the watch we see in the Shelton photo, which was taken in August 1926. Unfortunately, the article gives no indication of what kind of wristwatch was presented to Houdini that day, but our eagle-eyed reader offers up one suggestion:
"I actually have a watch that looks similar to the one Houdini appears to be wearing. Its a 1925 Waltham in a tonneau style case. I cant say its THE watch but sure does look similar."
Of course, this raises the inevitable question. Where is this wristwatch today?
By the way, Moneta's remained in business until the 1940s, and the original Moneta's name could still be seen on the building at 32 Mulberry Street until at least 2010 when it was converted into a Parisian nightclub called La Baron.
Publication dates for Red Magic came from the invaluable Houdini Periodical Bibliography by Arthur Moses.
Also enjoy:
- Willard's side
- Houdini and the Transatlantic Flight
- Miracle Mongers the Movie
- Did Houdini have claustrophobia?
- What happens in Vegas...
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