Houdini in 1921

Let's kick off 2021 with a look back at what Houdini was up to 100 years ago.

In 1921 the only way to see Houdini was at the cinema. Fortunately, this was not difficult. All three Houdini movies were still playing in theaters across the country with his latest offering, Terror Island, continuing to open in new markets. 

This post is now retired. 

You will be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1921 in my upcoming book(s).

Houdini in 1907

The year 1907 saw Houdini touring free of his handcuff act and image. Exotic challenges now replaced the cuffs and spectacular bridge jumps supplanted jail breaks as his new headline grabbing stunt. It was a year in which he raised his profile and his price and became an undisputed star of American vaudeville, which in itself was booming under a new monopoly that embraced him.

This post is now retired. But you will be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1907 in my upcoming book. 

Houdini in 1906

While Houdini boasted of his American success at the end of 1905, the truth was he was still competing with a sea of Handcuff Kings, some of whom were better known in the U.S. at this time. But all that was about to change.

This post is now retired. But you will be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1906 in my upcoming book. 

Houdini breaks out in America (tomorrow)

Tomorrow I'll be posting the next installment of my "Life of Houdini Year by Year" series with a deep dive into 1906, the year Houdini truly broke out in America. And you know you've made it when...

The Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb. 4, 1906.

Related:

• Houdini in 1905
• The WILD life of Houdini year by year

Houdini in 1905

For Houdini, the year 1905 was split into two distinct halves. The first half saw him as an established superstar in Europe. But the second half found him back in America, where in some ways he had to prove himself all over again. It was a fascinating transitional year, and one of his most combative.

This post is now retired. But you will be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1905 in my upcoming book. 

Houdini in 1919

Welcome to another year of WILD ABOUT HARRY. Lets kick off 2019 with a look back at what Houdini himself was up to 100 years ago.

Houdini began 1919 with the flu. This was not a small matter. Between 1918 and 1920, the Spanish Flu pandemic killed 50 to 100 million people worldwide. Fortunately, Houdini beat the virus and recovered. Another death-defying escape!

This post is now retired. 

But you will still be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1919 with the publication of my upcoming book.

Related:

• Houdini conquers Hollywood (at last) in The Grim Game
• What caused The Grim Game plane crash?
• Houdini's madcap Hollywood lunch
• Terror at the Hot Springs
• Return to Terror Island

Houdini in 1904

The culmination of Houdini's European adventures and his reign as "The Handcuff King" came in 1904. The year would see him perform the greatest challenge handcuff escape of his career. It was also a unique year in that he only performed in a single country; the United Kingdom.

This post is now retired. But you will be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1904 in my upcoming book. 

Houdini in 1903

By 1903, Houdini had established himself as a very successful performer with a wildly popular specialty -- the handcuff act. But had he retired at this time, as he often threatened to do, he would not be known to us today. But in 1903, he would perform feats and cement his image in a series of famous photos that still resonate more than a century later. It could be said 1903 was the year Harry Houdini became an icon.

This post is now retired. But you will be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1903 in my upcoming book. 

Houdini in 1902

The year 1902 can be characterized as one of the most combative of Houdini's career. Having  proclaimed himself the "Undisputed King of Handcuffs and World's Champion Jail Breaker," the year would find him defending his title in a variety of arenas. Even in court.

This post is now retired. 

But you will be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1902 in my upcoming book.

Houdini in 1901

When England's Queen Victoria died on January 22, 1901, the 26-year-old Houdini was performing his second record breaking engagement at the Alhambra Theater in London. The Queen's death brought an end to the 64 year "Victorian Era" that had transformed England into a great empire. If Houdini had any reaction to this historic moment, it has gone unrecorded by biographers. But he did buy a dress said to have been designed for the Queen before her death. He thought it would look good on his mother.

This post is now retired. But you will be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1901 in my upcoming book. 

Houdini in 1917

Welcome to another year of WILD ABOUT HARRY. Let's kick off 2017 with a look back at what Houdini himself was up to 100 years ago.

Quick! Name a significant Houdini escape, piece of magic or performance associated with the year 1917?

One can easily do this for nearly every year of Houdini's life: 1903/Carette; 1908/Milk Can; 1914/Walking Through A Brick Wall. But 1917 is tricky. That's because for the first time in many years, Houdini didn't invent or perform any new escape or feat of magic. In fact, his act was basically the same one he had been doing since returning to the U.S. in 1914. Of this period Silverman writes: "Much of what had brought Houdini to this height he was now preparing to downplay or abandon."

This post is now retired. 

You will be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1917 in my upcoming book.

Houdini in 1899

Houdini began 1899 adrift and discouraged. He had begun his career as a professional magician in 1891. Now, eight years later, he had not made a name for himself and was stuck playing dime museums to make a living. In fact, he worked the lowly venues so much, he was now nicknamed "Dime Museum Harry." He was also dead broke. A year earlier, he had attempted to sell his entire act, including his handcuff act. There were no takers.

This post is now retired. But you can enjoy the story of Houdini in 1899 in Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini.

Houdini in 1900

This Memorial Day marks the 116th anniversary of Houdini's first trip to Europe on May 30, 1900. To mark the occasion, here's a look back at that all-important year.

This post is now retired. But you will be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1900 in my upcoming book. 

Houdini in 1916

Welcome to another year of WILD ABOUT HARRY! Let's kick off 2016 with a look back at what Houdini himself was up to 100 years ago.

This post is now retired. 

But you will still be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1916 with the publication of my upcoming book.

Houdini in 1915

Welcome to another year of being WILD ABOUT HARRY! When a new year turns over, I always like to think about where Houdini was in his own life and career 100 years ago. So let's kick off 2015 with a look back at what Houdini was up to in 1915.

This post is now retired. 

But you will still be able to enjoy the story of Houdini in 1915 with the publication of my upcoming book.