This "Harry Houdini Signed Photo Sheet" is up for auction by High End Memorabilia in Gardena, California. It is being offered on Liveauctioneers and comes with a certificate of authenticity from Stephen Rocchi GFA. Estimate is $1,000 - $1,375.
But there's something very, very wrong here. Do you know what it is?
This page is from Houdini His Life Storyby Harold Kellock, first published in 1928, two years after Houdini's death! So this is an out and out fake. What troubles me is the signature looks pretty good, so that tells us there is a skillful forger out there.
I tried to notify the auction house. Here's their reply:
"Thank you for letting us know and we will look into this we do our normal steps and provide two different COA's with each of our items: one that is a third party authenticator, and the other that comes from us as a LuxeWest 100% lifetime guarantee. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to reach out again. Please remember if you do a direct buy I can take off the 25% buyers premium for you and even give you a discount code."
Bidder beware.
Thanks to Kevin Connolly. UPDATE. Here we go again. Also a page from Life Story.
Today marks the 90th anniversary of the infamous Arthur Ford seance in which he revealed the coded Houdini message before Bess and assembled press at 67 Payson Ave. in New York.
I've never really tackled the Houdini Code and its controversy here on WILD ABOUT HARRY, but I wanted to put up something for this anniversary, so below is a full lecture by William V. Rauscher who wrote the book The Houdini Code Mystery and knew Arthur Ford personally. What he has to say about Ford and events of 1929 is pretty interesting. Enjoy.
I know this is late notice, but tonight I will be the guest on "Dark Sun Rising" hosted by Erick Bee & Vicki Valencourt. The show is broadcast live over Para-X Radio Network and is described as "tearing back the veil of hype, misconception, misinformation, and ignorance to examine the balance between the light and the dark in the paranormal world." Our subject will be...what else? Houdini!
The first episode of Houdini's Last Secrets aired tonight on the Science Channel. Based on what it offered, it looks like this 4-part series might be a mixed bag. While there are some good interviews and peeks inside some nice collections, there's also the typical reality TV hokum about spy work and murder theories. But the real hot button is the show's promise to reveal Houdini's secrets. So do they?
This first episode, "The Torture Escape", investigates Houdini's Water Torture Cell, and in the end you are led to believe that they've discovered and exposed the secret of Houdini's most famous escape. But they actually did no such thing. They created their own luxuriously large cell and their own means of release which is not how Houdini's cell looked or worked. And as far as learning the secret from David Haversat's two page Houdini design (an incredible artifact!), know that the production had already built their cell and filmed their escape sequence before they ever saw that document, which doesn't reveal the real secret anyway.
So this is really a faux exposure of the Water Torture Cell in the tradition of R.D. Adams and others. Does that make it okay? That's something to debate, but I admit I'm relieved. I knew the production had Patrick Culliton's book Houdini The Key, so they could have gone all the way and didn't. For that I'm thankful.
For me the greater offense was devoting a good chuck of the episode to the notion that Houdini was a spy. You may have even gotten the impression from my own interview that I'm somewhat onboard with this idea, which I am absolutely NOT. In fact, I recall giving a very clear and strong repudiation of the entire theory, but that hit the cutting room floor. It's a shame to see this pseudohistory once again getting attention, but Hollywood just can't resist a spy story.
Speaking of inaccuracies, in my interview I said Houdini never did a diving suit escape. This is not strictly true. He did once accept a non-submerged diving suit challenge, and he escaped from a diving suit in The Master Mystery. So I'm sorry I said that.
On the upside, the series has a cool title sequence, George Hardeen is a natural (must run in the family), and seeing John Magic's museum and his excellent Water Torture Cell replica was a treat. And who knew former CIA Director John McLaughlin was a Houdini buff? I also liked the swimming pool test when they were working with dimensions similar to Houdini's cell, which shows just how constricting it really was. Of course, they don't mention the inner cage Houdini used that constricted the inside of the cell even more, and would have made turning around in the way magician Lee Terbosic did so impossible.
So it looks like this series will ride an ethical razors edge. While not revealing Houdini's actual methods, they are technically still doing exposures, so I can see them getting some heat for this. But at least the first episode is behind us and the secret of the Water Torture Cell is safe. We'll see what comes next!
Houdini's Last Secrets airs on the Science Channel and the SciGO app. You can also stream the episodes at their website. I've launched an Episode Guide HERE.
If you're interested in more information on Houdini's Water Torture Cell, check out these links:
Just a reminder that Houdini's Last Secrets premieres tonight at 10P EST on the Science Channel and SciGO app. This first episode looks at Houdini's most famous escape...
No one knows how Harry Houdini pulled off his death-defying escapes. Now, a team of experts investigate his water torture illusion to reveal the secrets of this mysterious feat. What they uncover suggests Houdini may have led a double life as a spy.
I'll post my own reaction/review to episode 1 tonight around airtime. I've also launched a dedicated Houdini's Last SecretsEpisode Guide where you'll be able to keep up with the 4-part series.
It was 97 years ago today on January 5, 1922, that Houdini did a suspended straitjacket escape from the famous Palace Theater in New York City. This would mark his third and final outdoor stunt in Times Square. And as always with his New York stunts, he ran afoul of the police.
Below the original advert for the stunt, a terrific photo of Houdini in action, and the New York Herald's amusing account of the escape told from the point of view of the police officer who served Houdini with a summons when he came back down to earth.
New York Daily News, Jan. 5, 1922.
The New York Herald, Jan. 6, 1922
To give this some context, this was at the start of Houdini's return to the Keith's vaudeville circuit after spending two years making movies. So this was Houdini getting back up to his old tricks, literally!
How the heck did I not know until now that Houdini is in the new film Holmes & Watson with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly? The following was tweeted out by actor Ben Lee who plays Houdini in the movie. Goodness!
#InstaPlugBoastTweet !!! NEWS!!! I'm playing Harry Houdini in the new Will Ferrell/John C Reilly film 'Holmes&Watson'. Go see it (after ReTweeting). It's an incredibly in depth Historical Documentary in cinemas everywhere xxx Happy New Year everyone =) pic.twitter.com/mYuLEfDE7x
Now I guess I need to go out and see this. Yes, the reviews have been...not great. But I love Sherlock Holmes, IT HAS HOUDINI IN IT, and Brad Keefauver who blogs at Sherlock Peoria has been doing a series of posts arguing that the movie is actually pretty enjoyable from a Sherlockian point of view, so...
UPDATE: I finally got around to seeing this movie (it's streaming free on Tubi) and I thought it was petty funny. Really silly! But I was laughing. And by my count Houdini shows up three times in the movie. Including once in bed handcuffed to (Hardeen fan) Kelly Macdonald along with Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Mark Twain, and Charlie Chaplin. Yep, pretty silly.
Terry Allen and The Panhandle Mystery Band will be performing a concert at Austin's Paramount Theater on January 19 at 8pm. The name of the concert is "Howlin' from the Houdini Hole." This is a reference to the fact that the Paramount was once the Majestic Theater where Houdini performed on several occasions. There's even a hole in the proscenium said to have put there by the great escapist.
I don't believe the concert has anything to do with Houdini apart from the name and a pretty cool poster (right). But, hey, that's enough!
You can buy tickets and get more information via the Paramount Theater website.
We may only be three days into the new year, but our friend Leonard Hevia has made what might be the find of 2019! While browsing the Sleight of Direction YouTube channel, Leo found 30 minutes of Houdini film footage, much of it unknown! It's contained in a video clip posted on New Years Eve titled "Various TV Magic Clips from the US - 1970s to before." Curiously, the video description doesn't even mention Houdini. But oh baby!
The quality is very poor, but the content is incredible. Below is the embedded clip set to begin at the Houdini footage at 59:48 (you might want to mute the sound).
UPDATE: As you can see, the original video has been removed, but
selected clips can be viewed HERE.
Here's a breakdown of what I consider the most remarkable footage seen here. Timecodes show where the clip is located in the above video. Houdini Visits Gladys(01:21:14): The most mind blowing footage for me is what appears to be unedited home movies of Houdini visiting his sister Gladys during a snowy day. After several shots outside of Houdini leaving (the footage is not in sequence), we cut inside the house to find Gladys playing the piano as Harry and Bess enter. Gladys then greets Houdini's assistants one by one: Franz Kukol, James Vickery, Jim Collins, and an unidentified assistant. Two more men are greeted by Gladys and Houdini, but I don't know who they are. As everyone leaves, Houdini takes a moment to pick up and kiss a photo of his mother. We then see Houdini hugging and kissing Bess outside in the snow. Incredible.
Houdini's Paris Movie (01:23:52): This next clip is of huge significance to Houdini movie history. It's the first three minutes of Houdini's 1909 movie Les merveilleux exploits de Houdini à Paris, complete with the original French title cards. The key here is that includes the opening incident in which Harry and Bess help a drunk man on the street and are arrested. With this footage, a restoration is now doable (although we are still missing the very opening in which we see the Alhambra decked out in Houdini posters).
Houdini Coin and Cards (01:14:48): A real mystery is this one minute of footage showing Houdini doing coin sleights and card manipulations in slow motion. It's tempting to think this is a lost fragment from his 1925 Marvels in Motion appearance (later released as Velvet Fingers). But Houdini is dressed here in a suit instead of a tuxedo, so this could be something entirely different. Whatever it is, it's a remarkable minute of film and breathtaking to watch Houdini's hand movements.
Monk Table Tie Escape (01:27:10): This is footage of Houdini doing an escape on the set of Haldane of the Secret Service. This is not from the movie itself. The scenario here appears to be that he's being challenged by monks (played by actors and his assistants). This footage has appeared in documentaries, but it always cuts off as Houdini is being tied. Here the footage is complete and uncut, showing the full escape and Houdini being raised up on the shoulders of the ecstatic monks.
This compilation also includes several unfamiliar clips of suspended straitjacket escapes; behind the scenes filming of The Man From Beyond; the familiar footage of Houdini outside a Kansas City theater and the Rochester bridge jump; Harry Kellar visiting Houdini, Dash and Bess at Hardeen's Flatbush home (where Houdini was living at the time); and several clips from The Mastery Mystery with original title cards and some footage not seen in the Kino DVD.
So where the heck did this film come from? I'm afraid I don't have any answers, and I don't know who runs this YouTube Channel (it appears they may be outside the U.S.). But this channel includes a treasure trove of rare magic clips, and I can't help but wonder if we are somehow seeing part of the recently auctioned Bill McIlhany collection? But wherever it came from, what a way to start the new year!
Check out this article about our friend George Hardeen and his involvement with the Science Channel's new 4-part series Houdini's Last Secrets. George explains the approach the series is taking in regards to revealing Houdini's secrets (or not).
"No one knows how Houdini did the tricks. So, we pondered it and came up with our own methodology so that Lee could perform the trick," Hardeen said.
Click the headline to read the full article at the Appleton Post Crescent.
Houdini's Last Secrets premieres this Sunday, January 6, but you can watch the first episode now on the Science Channel website or SciGO app. I'll post my reaction and review of Episode 1 on Sunday.
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.
It's time to wrap up 2018, which was a truly amazing year for Houdini. This year saw the sale of 278, four major museum exhibitions, new plays, books, graphic novels, TV appearances, and an assortment of discoveries and special events. For me the year brought memorable Houdini adventures in Las Vegas, Catalina, New York, Baltimore, Fort Worth, City of Industry and here at home. I'm overwhelmed by how much joy and generosity Houdini brings into my life. I feel very grateful to have stumbled on this "hobby" 43 years ago.
I thought the below from the Tampa Bay Times, which appeared 80 years ago yesterday, was a good way to end the year. So Bessie and I will take our "rest", and we'll see everyone back here on January 1st for what I expect will be another huge year for Houdini.
The first promo for the Science Channel's new 4-part series Houdini's Last Secrets is below. The series features George Hardeen and magician Lee Terbosic investigating some of Houdini's enduring mysteries. (I may even show up as well.)
Despite what this promo implies, I've been assured that the show will not actually expose Houdini's secrets.
