Young Harry Houdini soundtrack from BSX Records

Here's a pleasant surprise. BSX Records is offering Lee Holdridge's soundtrack music for the 1987 Disney movie Young Harry Houdini starring Wil Wheaton. It's available as a digital download and includes a PDF booklet. Purchase by clicking the image below.

BSX Digital presents the premiere release of YOUNG HARRY HOUDINI, featuring music composed and conducted by Lee Holdridge. The music has been remastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland.

This certainly wasn't on my bingo card of possible Houdini releases, but I'm excited to see it. In fact, I would love to see BSX Records release the soundtracks to Houdini (1953) and The Great Houdinis (1976).

UPDATE: I didn't realize when I posted this that today is Wil Wheaton's 54th birthday. Happy birthday, Wil!

Related:

• Young Harry Houdini (1987)
• Watch Young Harry Houdini (1987)
• Houdini two volume CD soundtrack released today

Three-part "Dynamo Vs Houdini" coming to SKY

This weekend, the magician Dynamo performed a death-defying escape that saw him bound in a straitjacket, locked inside a burning car, and suspended 100 feet in the air against the New York City skyline. It was a stunt worthy of Houdini, and that was the point.

Moments after the escape, Sky officially announced Dynamo Vs Houdini, a three-part series that sees Dynamo traveling across America, retracing Houdini’s footsteps and honoring his legacy 100 years after his death. Dynamo asks the question: What would Houdini do if he were alive today?

Shirley Jones, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at Sky, says: “We’re so excited to be working with Dynamo on a series that not only celebrates the enduring legacy of Harry Houdini but demonstrates the extraordinary skill, innovation, and jaw-dropping talent that has made him one of the defining magicians of his generation.”

I had the pleasure of filming an interview with Dynamo last week at Roger Dreyer's amazing Houdini Revealed Museum. He told me about this stunt, and I was more than a little anxious about the outcome. I'm thrilled to hear he pulled it off, and I can't wait to see Dynamo Vs Houdini!

Dynamo Vs Houdini is a co-production between Shine TV (part of Banijay UK) & Seventeen17. The showrunner and executive producer is Rowland French. The series is set to air on Sky and streaming service NOW later this year.

Related:

• Steven Frayne (Dynamo) will honor Houdini's 100th
• Roger Dreyer gets a peek (Patreon)
• Houdini's in New York

50 years ago: A new Houdini biopic in the works

Last month marked a different kind of anniversary. It was 50 years ago that Melville Shavelson and his crew filmed The Great Houdinis on location around Los Angeles and at the 20th Century Fox studio in Century City. Filming commenced at the Wilshire Ebell Theater on April 28 and wrapped at the Malibu Pier on May 24, 1976. I learned about the movie in the July 1976 issue of The Magic Magazine. Still have the clipping in my old scrapbook.

The Great Houdinis starred Paul Michael Glaser as Houdini and Sally Struthers as Bess. The amazing supporting cast included: Ruth Gordon (Cecelia Weiss), Peter Cushing (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), Bill Bixby (Rev. Arthur Ford), Adrienne Barbeau (Daisy White), Vivian Vance (Minnie Chester), Jack Carter (Hardeen) Barbara Rhoades (Margery), and if you look closely, you'll see Patrick Culliton as Franz Kukol. It aired on ABC on October 7, 1976.

This marked the first Houdini biopic since 1953's Houdini with Tony Curtis, and despite it being heavily fictionalized, I've always had a special fondness for it. It's my second-favorite Houdini biopic and a great example of 1970s television.

In the early days of this blog, I did a day-by-day breakdown of the production. If you're interested, give that review by clicking the link below:

Making the great Great Houdinis

Related:

• The Great Houdinis (1976)
• Watch The Great Houdinis (1976)
• Paul Michael Glaser is Houdini again!

Harry Kellar: The Magician Who Inspired Houdini

Here's an excellent new documentary from PBS station WQLN about Harry Kellar. Great interviews and good Houdini content as well. Enjoy.

In the reenactments, Houdini is played by Howard Lang. Kellar is played by Aaron Pacy.

Related:

• Copperfield shares Houdini and Kellar
• Harry Kellar visits The Grim Game set
• Letter from Kellar to Houdini sells for $32,500

The Truth About Houdini on its 5oth

I've already talked about how I was bitten by the Houdini bug in late 1975 after the one-two punch of seeing Houdini (1953) and Doug Henning's first magic special. As we entered 1976, I was officially "into" Houdini and started searching for more. That's when the universe seemed to conspire to turn me into a Houdini fanatic by feeding me a steady stream of new Houdini gems. One of those was the first American airing of the 1970 BBC documentary, The Truth About Houdini, 50 years ago today, on May 15, 1976.

This introduced me to a larger Houdini world. Not only was I able to see film footage of the real Houdini in action, but I was also able to see the giants of Houdini's world at that time: Walter B. Gibson, Milbourne Christopher, James Randi, and Sidney Radner.

I have done many posts about this important documentary, which you can revisit via the related links. If you've never seen it, you can give it a watch below. It will always be my favorite Houdini documentary, and an important part of my Houdini awakening.

Want more? You can view a cut scene from the documentary as a member of my Patreon.

Related:

• The first great Houdini documentary
• Channel 44's Houdini Halloween of 1976
• No love for The Truth

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.

David Copperfield's Shark Tank shoot

History By Mail recently returned to the television show Shark Tank, and part of that episode featured a tour of David Copperfield's International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts. Below is a terrific behind-the-scenes clip from the History By Mail Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by History By Mail (@historybymail)

Check out History By Mail's Houdini offering HERE.

Related:

• The Dream Big Folio: Houdini’s Illusion That Inspired David Copperfield
• 100 years ago Houdini vanished an elephant
• My incredible week inside the Copperfield collection

Ruth Kavanaugh on "To Tell The Truth" in 1972

Here's a fun find. On December 26, 1972, Houdini's niece Ruth Kavanaugh (daughter of Bess's sister Marie) appeared on the show To Tell The Truth. For those unfamiliar with the show, the premise was that three people would all claim to be the same person, and a panel of celebrities would attempt to guess which was the real person. On this episode (#0892), the celebrity panel was: Bill Cullen, Peggy Cass, Orson Bean, and Kitty Carlisle.

The High Point Enterprise, Dec 26, 1972.

I asked our friend John Hinson about this, and he does remember watching it. But this was before home video, so he doesn't have a copy. And before someone asks, no, she did not bring the Mirror Handcuffs (Ruth owned them at this time). Does anyone else remember seeing this?

I would sure love to see this episode. There is a YouTube channel devoted to uploading complete seasons of To Tell the Truth, but it has yet to reach the 1970s.

Related:

• Meet the man who sleeps in Houdini's bed
• Remembering Celeste Evans
• AUDIO: Marie Hinson remembers her sister Bess Houdini

Dive into Shark Tank, January 28

Ari Siegel of History By Mail has posted the following on his site:

On Wednesday, January 28 at 10pm ET/PT on ABC, History By Mail will be featured in a Shark Tank update segment. If you have followed our journey for any amount of time, you know this is a milestone we do not take lightly. 

This update is a look at what has happened since our original appearance. It highlights how the company has grown, where we are today, and what we are building next. It is also a moment to step back and appreciate something that is easy to forget when you are busy running the day to day. None of this happened in a vacuum. It happened because thousands of curious people chose to support an unusual idea and keep showing up for history. 

There is also a special celebrity cameo in the segment, and it is one you will not want to miss.

Who could this celebrity be? Well, if Ari isn't saying, then I won't either. But considering History By Mail's latest Houdini-themed offering, you may be able to guess.🗽

Related:

• The Dream Big Folio: Houdini’s Illusion That Inspired David Copperfield
• 100 years ago Houdini vanished an elephant

The World of Magic aired 50 years ago tonight

Had to jump back in to note the 50th anniversary of a magic milestone and a personal one as well. It was 50 years ago tonight that Doug Henning's first "World of Magic" television special aired LIVE on NBC. Doug's magic and his climactic performance of Houdini's Water Torture Cell was a ratings hit, and this special has been attributed to launching Magic's second Golden Age. Having just seen Houdini (1953) the previous month, this special only cemented my newfound Houdini mania.

San Francisco Chronicle, Dec 25, 1975.

Did you see this special live? If so, share your memories in the comments below.

Related:

• "Houdini must have been crazy to do this."
• My first look at the real Houdini
• Doug Henning's World of Magic aired 35 years ago today

Steven Frayne (Dynamo) will honor Houdini's 100th

The Sun newspaper in the UK reports that Steven Frayne, the magician formerly known as Dynamo, will star in a three-part series on Sky Max to mark the Centenary of Houdini's death. 

According to a source, "Steven will be carrying out death-defying challenges, just like his hero Houdini, who is considered the world’s greatest ever illusionist and escapologist. But the stunts will be carried out in combination with his own brand of street magic as he journeys across the US to mark this special anniversary." 

More details will be announced in due course.

The Voyages of Patrick Culliton

Here's something special. These three videos by Mike Clark chronicle the story of our great friend and leading Houdini expert Patrick Culliton a.k.a. "Houdini's Ghost." While Patrick's Houdini activities do get a mention, these primarily focus on his acting career and relationship with producer Irwin Allen, especially his time working on Allen's Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. These are very well done and really interesting. Enjoy.

PART I: THE HOLLYWOOD KID

PART II: INCREDIBLE VOYAGES

PART III: TO HELL AND BACK

Thank you, Patrick!

Related:

• Pat Culliton and I found Bess Houdini's house...like heroes
• A plea from Patrick Culliton: Save the Houdini films before it’s too late!
• Patrick Culliton clarifies the price and purpose of Houdini–the Key

The Amazing Race asks, "What would Houdini do?"

Tonight's episode of The Amazing Race is called “What Would Houdini Do?” and sees racers traveling to Budapest, Hungary. What I find amazing is that this show is still on!

“What Would Houdini Do?” – Racers travel to illusionist Harry Houdini’s birthplace, Budapest, Hungary, where a puzzling Fast Forward puts one team to the test, while a horse drawn carriage has teams racing against the clock, on THE AMAZING RACE, Wednesday, Oct. 15 (9:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs).

This actually isn't the first time The Amazing Race has contained a nod to Houdini. Back in 2012, racers had to perform a suspended straitjacket escape as part of their challenges.

Thanks to Harry Houdini (real name) for the alert.

UPDATE: The show had a nice Houdini tie-in as David Merlini's The House of Houdini museum was one of the stops. You can temporarily stream this episode for free HERE.

Related:

• Houdini rushes The Amazing Race
• The Amazing Race promises Houdini-inspired finale
• Take a River Cruise to Houdini's Birthplace in 2026

Houdini and the Rio's (attempted) silent movie revival

Cinema Treasures

In 1954, the Rio Theatre in San Francisco converted to an all-silent cinema, banking on nostalgia for the old classics in an era of Cinemascope and 3D. The article below, which appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle on New Year's Day, laid out the plan.

San Francisco Chronicle, Jan. 1, 1954.

While not mentioned in the above article, Houdini was an integral part of the Rio's slate. A new episode of The Master Mystery would play before each new feature. Interestingly, Paramount's biopic Houdini (1953) was still playing in theaters, and could be seen at the Roxie on 16th and Valencia at this same time.

The Rio's first offering was the 1923 Lon Chaney classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame, along with episode 1 of The Master Mystery. A Universal Monster and Houdini? I would have been there in a second!

This wasn't the only time Houdini and The Hunchback of Notre Dame played in proximity. The below is from Waco, Texas, when Houdini was on his spiritualism lecture tour in 1924. Did Houdini ever see the movie, I wonder?

The Waco Times Herald, Oct. 8, 1924.

Week 2 featured Orchids & Ermine (1927) with the great Colleen Moore, the 1912 short The New York Hat with Mary Pickford and Lionel Barrymore, and The Mystery Mystery episode 2.

Week 3 featured the Wallace Beery comedy Behind the Front (1926), the Harry Langdon short Soldier Man, and episode 3 of The Master Mystery.

The 4th week features "Anatole France's Classic" Crainquebille (1922) and D.W. Griffith's Judith of Bethulia (1914). Despite an earlier newspaper report that The Master Mystery episode 4 would be part of the program, it is not included in the opening-day advertisement. Possibly it was dropped due to the length of the features.

The Rio's next feature would have been the Clara Bow comedy drama Dancing Mothers (1926), along with Laurel and Hardy's Criminals at Large (1929) and The Master Mystery. A newspaper reported it would be episode 4, offering further evidence that it had been dropped the previous week.

However, a slate of "Disney's True-Life Adventure" films opened at the Rio instead. The San Francisco Call reported the change.

The San Francisco Call Bulletin, Jan. 23, 1954

The mention of TV may be telling. In mid-January, local San Francisco television station KRON purchased a package of silents and began running its own series of silents as part of its late-night programming. Among their films were The Headless Horseman (1922) with Will Rogers, The Primrose Path (1925) with Clara Bow, and, yes, The Man From Beyond (1922) with you-know-who!

I wonder what print of The Master Mystery the Rio was showing? It could have been the complete 16mm print owned by John Hampton of the Silent Movie Theater in Los Angeles, which was going strong at this time. Perhaps the two theaters worked out an agreement to share films. Finally, how disappointing must it have been to Houdini fans to have the Rio pull the plug after only three (or four) episodes?

In the 1960s, the Rio became the Toho Rio and screened Japanese films. It was then acquired by United Artists and was known as the Metro II in the 1970s. In 1982, it briefly became the Rio again, before being sold and renamed the Mercury Theatre. It screened foreign films until its closure in 1986. It was demolished in 1990.

Below are more appearances of Houdini's movies in revival houses.

UPDATE: Here's a fun update. Our good friend Diego Domingo performed a special Halloween magic show at the Rio when it was the Metro II in 1970. In fact, Diego had pitched the idea of showing his 16mm print of The Man From Beyond to them, but the theater opted for a horror film instead.

Related:

• The Master Mystery at The Silent Movie Theater
• The Man From Beyond haunts Hollywood in 1971
• Houdini sells out in Sierra Madre

Reviewing the Ghost Adventures Houdini Séance

Here's an excellent video by our new friend Kenny Biddle, Chief Investigator for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, dissecting the recent Houdini Seance episode of Ghost Adventures (which I happened to be on). Kenny debunks it piece by piece, and even has a special guest star explain his boneheaded comment that "Houdini believed in Spiritualism." You can view it below or check it out on YouTube. 

Thank you, Kenny!

Related:

• Houdini's spirit trumpet on Ghost Adventures
• A Winchester Mystery House mystery...solved?
• Houdini seance at the Winchester Mystery House in 1938?

Expedition Files: The Real Cause of Houdini's Death

Well lookie here. Season 2 of the Discovery series Expedition Files with Josh Gates has an episode about Houdini's death. I was almost going to skip this one until I saw that it features this serious young man. 

For the record, I did not "discover a lost trove of letters hidden in Houdini's archive." This letter was in Wayne Wissner's The Houdini Correspondence File, and I first shared my thoughts about it HERE. But it is a legit, unreported aspect of Houdini's final days. It's just presented here with a bit of showbiz and cheese.

You can watch Expedition Files on Discovery. Seasons are also eventually uploaded to Amazon Prime.

Related:

• Did a contract clause kill Houdini?
• The Albany accident
• The Houdini Correspondence File

Ghost Adventures: The Houdini Seance airs April 23 & 24

Ghost Adventures season 21, episode 12, The Houdini Seance, will air April 23 & 24 on Discovery. Zak Bagans and the gang go in search of Houdini at the historic Winchester Mystery House with our friend George Hardeen. I was also along for the ride with a unique Houdini artifact courtesy of Diego Domingo. It was pretty wild!

On the 100th anniversary of Harry Houdini's midnight visit to the fabled Winchester Mystery House, Zak and a team of paranormal experts attempt to summon the legendary magician's spirit. Will escaping death’s grip be Houdini's greatest trick?

Now, how one goes about watching anything on traditional cable these days is the real mystery. But you can start HERE.

Related:

• Ghost Adventures goes in search of Houdini
• The Houdini way to San Jose
• A Winchester Mystery House mystery...solved?

Champions of Magic get their Houdini on

This is fun. Some nice Houdini references, and I've had the pleasure of meeting three of these four magicians. Ladies and gentlemen, the Champions of Magic!

You can buy tickets and check out tour dates for the Champions of Magic at their website.

Ghost Adventures goes in search of Houdini

Check out this promo for the upcoming season of the popular Ghost Adventures. Zak Bagans and the gang are going in search of Houdini at the historic Winchester Mystery House.

Prepare for the most intense season yet. Ghosts, witches, and a historic séance with a blood relative of Houdini. This is uncharted territory. A new season of #GhostAdventures Wednesday, April 16 on Discovery!

You can see that our friend George Hardeen is part of the action. I also traveled to San Jose to participate in the investigation. I'm not sure if I made the final cut, but we'll see. Did we encounter any spirits? You'll have to tune in for the answer!

Related:

• The Houdini way to San Jose
• A Winchester Mystery House mystery...solved?
• Houdini found at the Winchester Mystery House

No love for The Truth

For me, the documentary The Truth About Houdini was as important as the Tony Curtis film in fueling my excitement for Houdini. It certainly helped shape my understanding of Houdini and introduced me to the major Houdini players at that time. It's still my favorite Houdini documentary. 

That's why I'm so surprised to read this review in the December 30, 1970 Northern Echo that excoriates it! But the doc did generate controversy, at least in the UK. The Magic Circle objected to what it believed were exposures. However, apart from the cross escape (which was removed at some point), there are no significant exposures.

Anyway, this is a fun read, and I can't condemn someone for defending Houdini, even though, in my opinion, it was unnecessary.

Want more? You can view the cut cross escape footage as a Scholar member of my Patreon below.

Related:

• The first great Houdini documentary
• Watch 'The Truth About Houdini' on its anniversary
• Channel 44's Houdini Halloween of 1976