Unused Death Defying Acts poster

While trolling the net, I discovered this unused poster for Death Defying Acts, the 2008 film starring Guy Pearce as Houdini and Catherine Zeta-Jones as a Scottish psychic.

Not a bad poster. In fact, I much prefer this to the final one-sheet, which did everything it could to hide the fact that this was a movie about Houdini.

Escape artist has close call in Water Torture Cell

Escape artist Kristen Johnson had a very close call when she performed her version of Houdini’s Water Torture Cell during an NBA halftime show last month. After three minutes, Johnson lost consciousness and had to be pulled from the tank.

Kristen’s husband and performing partner Kevin Ridgeway told the Magic Newswire, “Kristen suffered an hypoxic seizure after freeing herself from one of the restrains. She wasn’t feeling well earlier in the day, but that seems to have been low blood sugar. We’ve staged that escape 599 times and had only one other incident which is a very good track record.” 

The entire incident was caught on video (which is pretty disturbing, so I’ll leave it to you to watch it or not).

Interestingly, one the very first imitators of Houdini’s most famous escape was a woman. Miss Undina performed a copy of Houdini’s act not long after he first introduced the escape in Germany in 1912. Houdini filed an injunction against Undina, who quickly vanished into obscurity, her only legacy being the poster (below) that Houdini used in court as evidence against her.

Houdini dabbles in ‘Electric Flesh’

Houdini never dies in the mind of novelists. While browsing Amazon this morning, I stumbled on this piece of Houdini fiction I overlooked when it was first released in 2006.

Electric Flesh by Claro finds Harry Houdini infatuated with Szuszu, a magician's assistant, whom he pursues through a sideshow of carnival freaks. In a modern story set in 1996, an unemployed executioner, Howard Hordinary, hopes to prove that he, like Gary Gilmore, is the unacknowledged grandson of the great escape artist, the fruit of Houdini's liaison with Szuszu.

Electric Flesh can be purchased now on Amazon.com.

A solid Houdini biography and learning tool

There are no shortage of Houdini biographies aimed at young readers. My bookshelf currently holds 50 different titles. But this is not surprising as the life of Harry Houdini is a joy for youngsters to discover, and a great way to get kids to read.

The most recent release is Harry Houdini, part of the “History Makers Bios” series from Lerner Publishing. This 48 page book is aimed at a 4th grade reading level and is a VERY fine biography in all respects.

First off, the book is well illustrated with a mix of photos (most credited to the Library of Congress) and nice original color illustrations by Tad Butler. While there are no new photos here for the hardcore Houdini aficionado, the book does contain a rarely seen pic of Houdini controlling Margery in the Margery Box on page 38, which may be new to some. I also appreciated the photo of New York neck tie cutters in 1889, which gives a feel for the workspace Ehrich Weiss occupied as a teen.

The text is clearly written in simple fact-based sentences that appear to be tailored for reading out loud. The book handles the facts of Houdini’s life responsibly and thoroughly. With the exception of saying the Brothers Houdini charmed snakes as part of their act (and maybe they did -- I’ve just never heard this before), I spotted no inaccuracies or, worse, Houdini mythology stated as fact, which is the scourge of so many Houdini biographies.

In fact, by putting in a sidebar the tale of Houdini’s boyhood encounter with a convict while working for a locksmith, and clearly staying that it is “a story that is told,” this little bio demonstrates greater responsibility than the newest adult Houdini biography (which plays very fast and loose with this tale). While the many apocryphal tales of Houdini are tempting -- especially when we’re talking about tantalizing young readers -- Janet Piehl sticks with the facts. Bravo.

The book also includes a timeline and bibliography of books, websites, and further reading recommendations.

All in all, this is an excellent biography of Houdini and a first rate learning tool for young magic and reading enthusiasts.

This review first appeared on Houdini Lives.

Being Harry Houdini in Northampton

Three performers take the stage at Northampton's Academy of Music this Sunday, reviving the spirit of Houdini in a special program entitled “Being Harry Houdini.”

Todd Robbins will perform sideshow feats, old-school magic will be represented by Hartford-based David Garrity, and Springfield's Michael Paul will perform mentalism.

“Being Harry Houdini” happens Sunday, Feb. 8th at 2 p.m. at the Academy of Music, 274 Main St., Northampton. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Call (413) 587-1269 or visit Northampton Art Council for more info.

Houdini Obamiconed

Here's a Houdini poster that I created on Obamicon.me, my new favorite time-waster on the net.

At Obamicon you can use any image to create your own customized poster based on the now iconic Shepard Fairey Obama/Hope poster from the 2008 election. Of course, I had to do Houdini!

Below are a few more of my Houdini creations. All images created can be turned into t-shirts, coffee cups, etc.

Harry Houdini For Kids

Harry Houdini For Kids: His Life and Adventures with 21 Magic Tricks and Illusions is now shipping from Amazon.com.

The book is a combination biography and magic guide, teaching young readers how to stick a needle into a balloon without popping it, how to step through a note card, and how to make a coin vanish.

Written by Western Oregon University professor Laurie Carlson, this entertaining biography also features a time line, curriculum links for educators, and books and websites for further exploration.

This article first appeared on Houdini Lives.

A magical weekend with Tony Curtis

Houdini himself, Mr. Tony Curtis, was a very special guest at The Magic Castle in Hollywood this weekend, and being a AMA member, I had the great pleasure of attending the two-day event.

Day 1 started with a sell out crowd packing the Palace of Mystery on Saturday night. On stage were reproduction Houdini props (two handcuff cases and a Milk Can) belonging to magician Jim Bentley, who helped host the event. At around 6:30, Mr. Curtis appeared -- literally! -- via a flash screen illusion set up on the stage. Good fun.

I was relieved to see Mr. Curtis, sporting a white cowboy hat, bound from the illusion with such vigor. When I last saw him at the Hollywood Collectors Show in October 2007 he was confined to a wheelchair. I figured age had caught up to him. But Mr. Curtis explained that he had been recovering from pneumonia and had temporarily lost use of his legs. But his legs were better and tonight he was in top from, telling amazing stories about the making of Houdini (“Dunninger was a blowhard.”) as well as sharing candid stories about Marilyn Monroe, Walter Matthau, Frank Sinatra, Jack Lemon, Cary Grant, Jack Warner, and so on. His tales of old Hollywood were both hysterical and moving. It was also interesting to learn that Tony (who, like Houdini, is Hungarian) helped renovated a synagogue in Budapest.

The interview, conducted by fellow AMA Life Member Joe Bauer, stretched well over an hour, and Tony happily took questions from the audience who delivered no less than two standing ovations.

After the show, we all found our way down into the Inner Circle (aka the W.C. Fields Bar) where Mr. Curtis signed photos, posters, and copies of his autobiography, American Prince. He gladly posed for pics with fans, as the Castle relaxed their no photography policy for this event. Also on view were several pieces of artwork done by Mr. Curtis, including a few Houdini-themed pieces (see right).

As the signing continued, I lingered in the Circle talking shop with the many notables who had come for the event, including the always friendly Mark and Sheila Cannon (Cannons Great Escapes) and handcuff expert Joe Fox. I was pleased to discover so many people had seen my article about the LIFE magazine photoshoot which revealed several cut scenes from Houdini. These pics proved to be a revelation to everyone!

After the signing, Mr. Curtis and his company retired to the Houdini Seance Room for a private dinner and show. One wonders if he knew that the Milk Can in the seance room -- which is pointed out as being a “Houdini Milk Can” (it isn’t) -- is actually the Can he escaped from in a cut scene from Houdini.

In the Houdini Seance Room at The Magic Castle

Day 2

The normal Castle crowd was thinner on Sunday as we again gathered at the Palace of Mystery, this time for a screening of George Pal’s 1953 film Houdini. It was a blast to watch the movie with an audience. Every magic effect got a round of applause, as did the uncredited appearance of William Larsen Jr. (co-founder of the Magic Castle) doing a head chop routine during the scene at the magicians convention. I never knew that was Bill Larsen! He looked so different without his trademark white hair.

Houdini was the movie that got me interesting in magic, but I hadn’t watched it beginning to end in many years. It struck me what a fine film this is. Bright and breezy with beautiful stars, I never realized just how much magic features in the movie. The effects are staged start to finish without a camera edit. It also hit me just how tragic the ending is, and how the specter of death (in the form of Halloween) stalks the stars though-out the movie. It’s really a terrific example of a classic studio era film. And you gotta love that old school brighter-than-life Technicolor!

After the movie, Mr. Curtis again appeared (but not via magic this time) for a Q&A with the audience. It was a more casual affair this time, even playful, with a lot of familiar faces back for this second day. A standout moment was when Mr. Curtis mentioned, with great affection, his co-star and ex-wife Janet Leigh “who’s gone now.” It was also interesting when the woman sitting beside me revealed that she had watched Mr. Curtis film a scene for Houdini when she visited the set as part of a USO tour.

After the Q&A, we again traveled down into the Inner Circle where Tony singed books and photos, including a still from his animated appearance on The Flintstones as “Stoney Curtis.” He also posed for many photos with the official Castle photographer, so I’m expecting we’ll see a gallery on the official Magic Castle website soon.

As I left The Castle and stood waiting for my car, I was lucky to catch one last glimpse of Tony and his family getting into their own car parked outside the service entrance.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend of magical memories for all who attended.

Tim Burton’s HOUDINI

A Houdini movie directed by Tim Burton? Sounds like a dream come true, doesn’t it? Well, it exists!

Of course, this Tim Burton’s HOUDINI was a short film he shot in grade school instead of "reading the book", as he explained last year on the South Bank Show. (The "book" appears to be Christopher's Houdini The Untold Story.)

Click below to see a YouTube segment from the interview that includes a clip from Tim Burton’s HOUDINI. The clip starts at 0:54 seconds in.

Related:

• See Tim Burton's HOUDINI at LACMA

LIFE photos reveals cut wing walking scene from Houdini (1953)

LIFE magazine has posted 200+ behind the scenes photos taken on the set of the 1953 HOUDINI biopic Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Among the photos are several shots of cuts scenes, including a performance of the Cremation illusion and The Milk Can escape.

However, the most amazing revelation (for me at least) is that the film originally was to feature a recreation of Houdini’s death defying plane to plane mid-air transfer and wing walk from his 1919 film, The Grim Game.

This is significant in that all the movies so far made about Houdini’s life and career have ignored his stint as a silent movie star in Hollywood. But here is evidence that the 1953 film did not ignore this aspect of Houdini’s life. It just wound up on the cutting room floor.

My question is, where is this footage today?

Thanks to Adam Steinfeld of Adam Steinfeld Magic Live for alerting me to these remarkable pics! 

Six Flags Houdini attraction SBNO

The popular ‘Houdini’s Great Escape’ ride at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey is currently SBNO (“standing but not operating”). That’s fancy amusement park parlance for “closed.”

According to greatadventurehistory.com, the experience of Houdini's Great Escape was a complete themed presentation from start to finish. Guests passed through the gates (marked 278) and entered the garden in front of the house. Guests were then ushered into the parlor, sometimes by a costumed actor who helped set the scene. The room was decorated with gothic fixtures and escape devices from Houdini’s career, including an eerily smashed Water Torture Cell.

An unseen narrator gave background information on Houdini with an accompanying film showing him as a young man. The spirit of Houdini was channeled and moved objects in the room in an attempt to cross over from the other side.

A set of doors opened and the audience was ushered into the next room with the sets of benches lining both sides of the room and a small table in the center. Once everyone was seated, Houdini locked his guests into place with a set of lapbars and the illusion began with the room rocking and then eventually turning a full 360 degrees.

After the first season, the storyline was modified slightly. The original show concluded with a huge illuminated mural of Houdini visible through the large skylight above the room. When modified, the center table with crystal ball and the illuminated keys at the ends of the rooms were added to conclude the story.

Houdini was closed for safety modifications after a power failure in the park had trapped riders for a period of time. Modifications made the ride safer and it re-opened to the public.

For the 2008 season, Houdini's Great Escape was SBNO. Before the season had started plans were in place to open the ride, and new signage was even in place in the weeks leading up to the park's opening day. At the last minute a high level decision was made not to open the ride, and for opening day all the ride's signs had been removed, and the entry gates padlocked. During the season the building was used as a venue for autograph signings, but no other activity took place.

For more pics and information about Houdini’s Great Escape and other Six Flag Great Adventure attractions, visit Great Adventure History.com.

French Master Mystery poster beats auction estimate

A rare French poster for Houdini’s 1918/19 movie serial The Master Mystery (Episode 8 -- Un Plan Diabolique) sold for £5,000 ($7,345) at Christie’s in London on Dec 4.

The poster was Lot 18 / Sale 5425 and carried a £2000 - £3000 ($3,022 - $4,533) estimate.

As a rule, Master Mystery posters that feature either the Automaton (said the be the first movie robot) or Houdini in restraints are the most desirable...and this beauty has both!