Archive for the 'Harry Houdini' Category

Visiting Houdini’s Final Resting Place

Posted by Michael on October 22nd, 2021

YouTuber Richard Arthur, who creates videos about New York, posted this video last month featuring Houdini’s grave at the Machpelah Cemetery in Glendale, Queens.

Harry Houdini Letter On Coffin Tests

Posted by Michael on October 22nd, 2021

The1920sChannel YouTube page recently posted this video, reading a letter from Harry Houdini dated August 4, 1926 sent to Dr. W.J. McConnell detailing his experiences testing coffins for future stunts. It is not our normal kind of video, but today is kind of turning into a celebration of Houdini.

Detroit Houdini Weenie Benefits Autism

Posted by Michael on October 22nd, 2021

On October 24, 1926 Harry Houdini performed at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit despite having a high fever. It was the last performance of his life. The video above about his last performance is from HistoryPod.

To commemorate Houdini’s final show (and raise money for AutismAlliance of Michigan) the American Coney located across the street from the Garrick will be selling a Houdini Weenie this Sunday, October 24. Get the details over on DeadlineDetroit. (I will admit to being lukewarm to hot dogs that have not been set ablaze over a campfire but I have to admit the Houdini Weenie does sound good.)

History’s Take On Houdini

Posted by Michael on October 8th, 2021

An extended clip from the History Channel series History’s Greatest Mysteries” on Harry Houdini. October, of course, will always be associated with the world’s most famous magician as he passed away on October 31, 1926 so this will be the first of many Houdini associated clips this month.

If you want to learn more about Harry Houdini, you might try the Timeline documentary on his life which you can stream for free on YouTube here.

Lee Terbosic’s History Channel Project

Posted by Michael on September 29th, 2021

Houdini has been seeing a History Channel revival lately. He was the subject of an episode of Man Versus History recently and last night, as introduced here by Lee Terbosic for Pittsburgh’s KDKA, was the focus of History’s Greatest Mysteries.

Houdini’s Metamorphosis Trunk

Posted by Michael on September 3rd, 2021

This video from Fantasma Magic’s Houdini Museum of New York is not exactly solely a performance, but it does included footage of Houdini’s brother Hardeen performing the act.

Houdini And Lovecraft Manuscript

Posted by Michael on July 19th, 2021

Silvia Moreno-García teaches about HP Lovecraft in the above video from TED-Ed… why is iTricks on about HP Lovecraft when Halloween is still three months away? Fine Books and Collections recently posted a look at the extremely rare (as in previously rumored to exist without firm proof) manuscript The Cancer of Superstition which was commissioned and, at least in name, co-authored by Harry Houdini. The 31 page type written manuscript was auctioned off at Potter and Potter back in April of 2016 and the Fine Books and Collections piece was originally written in March of that year, but just popped up in a news search over the weekend. Given today’s detour towards magic libraries, it seemed like a fun article to share.

As you may know, Lovecraft wrote Houdini’s article Under The Pyramids which presents a rather sensationalized version of Houdini’s night sleeping in an Egyptian tomb.