Pre-order The Secret Adventures of Houdini on Amazon

Alterna Comics updated edition of The Secret Adventures of Houdini by Todd Hunt and Sean Von Gorman is available to pre-order on Amazon.com.

The Secret Adventures of Houdini was first released as an indie comic in December 2011. This new edition of Book One adds new material that broadens the scope of the story and introduces Sir Arthur Conan Doyle into the series. It also features beautiful new cover art by Michael Jared DiMotta.

Remember, Amazon starts charging sales tax in some states, including California, on Sept 15, so it's not a bad idea to pre-order now. Release date is November 21.

For more information on the series visit the official Secret Adventures of Houdini blog and Facebook page.

'The Metamorphosis' receives early praise and a later release date

Bruce MacNab's fantastic new book, The Metamorphosis: The Apprenticeship of Harry Houdini, has received some early praise from Houdini notables, including myself. The following review blurbs appear on the Goose Lane Editions website.

"A definitive masterpiece describing the early travelling life of the world’s greatest showman in magic. An explicit 'diary' of Harry Houdini during his first Maritime-Canadian tour, filled with details unlike any other historical documents previously published! Exciting and brilliantly written!"
— Coral and Peter Reveen, hypnotist, magician, performers, The Man They Call Reveen

"This is a book that will wow the magic world. Not only does it contain a wealth of never-before-published photos, but Bruce MacNab has drilled down into a relatively unknown period of Houdini’s early life and uncovered facts, incidents, and artifacts that rewrite Houdini history. This is one of the most important books ever written about the great escape artist. It’s also just a wonderfully told story. A standing ovation for The Metamorphosis: The Apprenticeship of Harry Houdini."
— John Cox, creator of Wild About Harry (wildabouthoudini.com)

"This is a terrific book. After reading The Metamorphosis: The Apprenticeship of Harry Houdini, I was left amazed by all the new details, photos, and juicy tidbits Bruce MacNab has uncovered. This book is well researched and a must-read for anyone interested in Houdini."
— Dorothy Dietrich, The First Lady of Magic, founder/director of The Houdini Museum, Scranton, PA

"No other performer captured the attention and entertained an audience during the vaudeville era as did Houdini. Bruce MacNab has done an amazing job in researching and sharing new information in his book The Metamorphosis. While Houdini toured with Marco the Magician for twelve weeks in 1896 throughout the Maritime provinces, he learned skills in the art of suspense and marketing that helped shape his career and made him the legend he is today. As the proud owner of one of Houdini’s original Metamorphosis trunks, I am sure Houdini would agree that the book deserves a standing ovation."
— Roger Dreyer, CEO, Fantasma Magic and Houdini Museum, New York

The book has also received new release date, October 26, 2012 (pushed from September 28). The cover has also undergone a bit of a change. It now includes a selected blurb from...yours truly! This was a great surprise and a true honor.

If you haven't yet pre-ordered the book from Amazon, now is a good time to do so. Not only is it currently 34% off, but know that Amazon will start charging sales tax in many states, including California, starting September 15.

Pre-order The Metamorphosis: The Apprenticeship of Harry Houdini from Amazon.

The Final Houdini Seance redux 1986

With the big news that the 86th Official Houdini Seance will be held this year as a public event in Fort Worth, Texas, I thought it was a good time to look back on another semi-public Houdini seance that many not not be aware of.

On the night of October 31, 1986, a handful of lucky participants, including myself, attended a Houdini seance at the Variety Arts Center -- a short-lived sister club to the Magic Castle housed in a historic theater in downtown Los Angeles -- that honored and recreated the famous 1936 Final Houdini Seance on its 50th Anniversary.

Organized by Houdini collector and historian Manny Weltman, the reenactment started with the tickets. Each ticket was an exact replica of the gold invitations from the 1936 seance with the modern details on the back. To enhance the event, guests were encouraged to come dressed in "optional 1930s dressy attire" (my buddy Mark and I rented vintage tuxedos from Western Costume).

Guests arrived at 7pm for an 8:30 seance, just as they did in 1936. On the seance table were laid out the items exactly as they were laid out 50 years earlier, including a custom built copy of the Houdini shrine and a replica of the Mirror handcuffs, reported to have been "brought from Montana".

John Cox and "Edward Saint" (Stefan Krayk).

Bess was portrayed by Geraldine Larsen Jaffe, matriarch of the famous Larsen magic family, who was also good friends with Bess Houdini and attended the 1936 seance. For the occasion, Gerrie wore a jeweled Russian brooch given to her by Bess. The part of Edward Saint was played by Stefan Krayk, complete with fake beard. Magic Castle co-founder Milt Larsen introduced the seance, and "Bess" and "Ed" read from the same script the real Bess and Ed had prepared for the original seance.

Sitting in the "inner circle" at the seance table were: Manny Weltman and his wife Nanette; Milt Larsen; ventriloquist puppeteer Shari Lewis and her husband Jeremy Tarcher; Gerald Kosky, who had attended the original 1936 seance; Universal Studios Vice President and Houdini enthusiast Tom Thayer; Penny and Michael Grosz-Salomon; legendary Famous Monsters of Filmland publisher Forrest J. Ackerman and his wife Wendy; and KABL-TV reporter Fred Anderson. Guest attendees included Batman creator Bob Kane, a long time Houdini buff. (My girlfriend's most vivid recollection of the night was meeting "some guy who told me he invented Batman.")

"Bess Houdini" (Geri Larsen) heads up the seance table.

Much like the evening in 1936, Houdini did not return, and there were no mysterious storms that night which would have really made this a true recreation. After the seance, guests lingered for an informal chat with Gerrie who shared stories about her friendship with Bess.

At the close of the evening, all the guests received a bottle of Magic Castle Houdini labeled wine, which were spirits enough for most.

Thanks to Joe Fox, who was also there that night, for loaning me "ESCAPISM" January 1987 which contained a full report on the seance and provided the details I've long forgotten.

Houdini Museum in Scranton will get a facelift

The Weekender reports that the Houdini Museum in Scranton has received a $30,000 grant from Scranton's Office of Economic and Community Development to help with renovations to its weathered facade. Originally applied for in 2010, the grant was recently made official and papers were signed earlier this year.

"The artwork I've seen for (the new facade) is really outstanding," says Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty. "It’s only going to add to that neighborhood and beautify it, and also add to their business as an attraction."

Curators Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz are very proud of the things they’ve accomplished since establishing the Houdini Museum in 1988.

"It was really a wreck of a building when we first got it, but we did our best to fix it up," says Dorothy. "Everything had to be replaced. When it rained outside, it rained inside. Was it a good idea to start with a place that was that dead? Probably not, but we did it anyway."

Dorothy and Dick are now working overtime to raise the rest of the money needed to begin the renovation. Being a matching grant, the pair will have to pay the full $60,000 for construction before being reimbursed with the $30,000 grant from OECD.

"People can give us a call or send a check to our address," says Dorothy. "Just make the check out to the Houdini Museum, and since we’re a non-profit organization, it is tax deductible."

Among the items housed in the museum are the original portraits of Houdini's mother and father that hung inside Houdini's New York home. The museum has been featured on the History Channel and the Travel Channel, and has also been referenced on NBC's The Office.

For more information or to make a donation, visit the Houdini Museum website.

Houdini gets Tanked, Sept 15

I've just received a press release for the episode of Animal Planet's Tanked that feature's the Magic Castle's new Houdini-themed aquarium:

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS CALLS IN ANIMAL PLANET’S TANKED FOR HIS HOLLYWOOD 'MAGIC CASTLE'

TANKED is back and bigger and better than ever with everyone – even huge celebrities – clamoring to get their hands on a one-of-a-kind piece of aquatic art from ATM (Acrylic Tank Manufacturing). Wayde King and Brett Raymer are brothers-in-law, business partners, best friends and rivals – together they head up family-owned ATM, the country's leading and most successful aquarium builder with state-of-the-art facilities in the heart of Sin City. There will be no shortage of blow-ups, would-be disasters and drama as the team heads out on the road for some of the biggest installs ever, for A-list clientele such Neil Patrick Harris and his Hollywood 'Magic Castle' coming up on Saturday, September 15, at 9 PM (ET/PT). A Houdini replica tank with an assortment of exotic fish will be in the spotlight on the castle's upcoming anniversary.

"The Magic Castle's 50th anniversary is right around the corner and we found the perfect way to celebrate -- with a custom built Houdini escape themed aquarium from Animal Planet's TANKED. Wayde and Brett created something so special and I know our members will cherish it for years to come." - Neil Patrick Harris, President, Academy of Magical Arts.

You can get an early look at the Magic Castle's Houdini aquarium in this promo trailer. AMA Members can also see it in the photo galleries at the Magic Castle website.

UPDATE: I've received permission to post a beautiful photo of the tank after the show aires on Saturday.

UPDATE 2: Houdini aquarium revealed on Tanked.

Kevin Connolly teases a new Houdini mystery book (update)

The mighty Kevin Connolly over at Houdini Himself says there is a new Houdini book coming down the pike very soon. It's limited to only 113 copies and won't be cheap, but Kevin says it's a "must have" and that "your Houdini library would be incomplete without it."

Being a smarty pants, I thought I had figured out that this was John Bushey's Houdini pitchbook project. But I just talked to John and it's not his book. In fact, John doesn't know what this is either, so now I'm really intrigued!

I guess we will have to watch Houdini Himself to learn more. Kevin says his own copy has already shipped.

UPDATE: Kevin has revealed the book: Houdini The Key - Second Printing.

Houdini the Great in Houston, Sept. 22

A revival of the 1988 Danish Opera Houdini The Great by Andy Pape will be performed by Opera Vista as part of Bayou Bend's "Opera Under the Stars" series in Houston, Texas.

The outdoor performance takes place on Saturday, September 22 at 8 p.m. at the Diana Garden located at 6003 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77007.

Tickets are available in advance at www.mfah.org/operavista or at the door the night of the event, space permitting.

OFFICIAL HOUDINI SEANCE TO BE HELD IN FORT WORTH

Here's big news for Houdini historians and collectors! On October 31, 2012 at the beautiful Masonic Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Arthur Moses and Derek Kennedy will host an evening devoted to Houdini including the 86th Official Houdini Seance authorized and attended by Bill Radner, son of the late Sidney Radner.

The Official Houdini Seance has never been open to the public before. Past seances have been by limited private invitation only, so this is a very special event indeed!

The evening will include magic and escape performances, a Houdini history presentation, original Houdini memorabilia on display from one of the world's largest Houdini collections and much more. Every attendee will receive a seance program and a special keepsake gift. After the seance there will be a "meet and great" in Grand Ballroom.

There will be two tiers of tickets. Prices aren't firm yet, but estimated at $35 general and $100 for VIP. VIP tickets get a close up row seating near the seance table, a wine and beer reception before the event, and more. Dress will be strictly formal; suits and ties for men, dresses for women. No one under 12 years old will be admitted. Seating capacity is estimated at 300 and expected to sell out.

Until confirmed, the two people conducting the Houdini history presentation and the seance won't be announced.

Again, ticket details will be announced as soon as they are arranged. But this is one to mark on your calendar now. And, who knows? With an audience, this might be the one Houdini attends as well!

Genii & Houdini: October 1962

Houdini returned to the cover of Genii The Conjurors' Magazine with Vol. 27, No. 2 in October 1962. Editor Bill Larsen had promised a true Houdini "collectors item" with this issue, and he delivered. But this issue also contains some information that surely must have shaken the Houdini world of 1962.

As with the October 1961 Houdini issue, Patrick Culliton -- only 18 at the time -- is the driving force behind this issue, providing unique photos and articles. (It's mentioned in this issue that Patrick is now "the proud possessor of the original Houdini Sub Trunk.")

First up, Patrick collaborates with Arnold Furst to present a terrific overview of Houdini's full evening roadshow at The Maryland Theatre on August 31, 1925. (The article says it was Baltimore, but it was actually Cumberland.) This would later appear in a collected booklet called Great Magic Shows. Patrick then solos with an article all about the Water Torture Cell, presenting one possible method of escape. It's not exactly the method Houdini used. Patrick would ultimately reveal the real working secret of the USD in his 2010 book, Houdini The Key.

Patrick then presents a provocative article called, "Houdini Facts You Never Knew." The first fact is a shocker:

You may not know that data was uncovered during the filming of George Pal's feature "The Great Houdini," that would indicate that the Rabbi Weiss was not Houdini's father. Herman, Nathan, Bill and Ehrich were the sons of a grocer in Hungary and Cecelia Steiner. The Rabbi Weiss came to Appleton from London, where he had carried on his scholarly researches. There he married Houdini's widowed mother and they had three children.

The source of this information was George Boston, who was technical advisor on Paramount's Houdini. Of course, Patrick doesn't believe this story today (and was probably skeptical at the time). Birth certificates and immigration papers have firmly established Houdini's parentage. But it is interesting to know this was an active rumor circulating in magic circles in 1962.

The second unknown fact details a performance of being frozen in ice that Houdini is said to have given in 1926.

In the non-Houdini category, I can't help but marvel at the overtly sexist ads for "Himber's Custombilt Magic". Each of the six ads feature a pretty girl in a bikini with tag-lines like, "Is this what you want?" and "Beautiful Merchandise?" Ah, the days of Mad Men...

Coming next: October 1964

Click here for a complete list of all the Genii-Houdini cover issues.

Original trailer for HOUDINI (1953)

I've just updated my HOUDINI (1953) overview with the original trailer, but I thought it was also worth posting it up solo for those who have never seen it before. It's pretty terrific. It also contains some alternate shots/angles not in the final film.

You can enjoy more Houdini video goodies like this on the WILD ABOUT HARRY YouTube Channel.

Shadowplay uncovers The Master Mystery

The "willfully eccentric film blog" Shadowplay has been doing a very nice job covering a new episode of Houdini's The Master Mystery each week as part of their "Sunday Intertitle" series. Today's installment is about Episode 9 and is called, "It's Chinatown".

Click here to see all of Shadowplay's posts on The Mastery Mystery.

Joshua Jay lectures on Houdini, Sept 9

Magician Joshua Jay will give a lecture on Houdini at the Stroum Jewish Community Center in Seattle, Washington on Sunday, September 9 at 4pm. His lecture is called "Jews, Magic & Houdini". It appears to be a modified version of his acclaimed Tragic Magic lecture with a special emphasis on the king of escapes.

For more information visit www.sjcc.org.

Radner-Houdini rarities in Holyoke

The Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke, Massachusetts will display Houdini and magic memorabilia from the collection of the late Sidney Radner from September 14 to October 31. The exhibition is called "The Magic Collection of Sidney Radner". Among the items will be a unique Houdini bust, a pair of Bean Giant handcuffs, and several original challenge broadsides.

Photos by Don Treeger, The Republican

Sidney Radner died last year at the age of 91. He auctioned off much of his collection in 2004, but held on to a few precious items. Sidney's son, William Radner, now controls the Houdini-Radner rarities that are to be displayed.

The museum will host a special opening night reception featuring roving magicians on Friday, September 14 from 6 to 8pm. Tickets to this special event are $10. Regular admission to the gallery is $3.

The Wistariahurst Museum is located at 238 Cabot St., Holyoke, MA 01040. It was the site of last year's Official Houdini Seance. Visit their official website for more information.

Click here for a video of William Radner talking about the exhibition.

'The Last Greatest Magician in the World' released in paperback

The paperback edition of Jim Steinmeyer's excellent biography of Howard Thurston, The Last Greatest Magician in the World: Howard Thurston Versus Houdini and the Battles of the American Wizards, is released today by Tarcher.

Below is a video of Jim talking about the book and the rivalry between Thurston and Houdini.

Purchase The Last Greatest Magician in the World on Amazon.