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HARRY HOUDINI 1874 - 1926

Before we get into the historical articles from Abbott's, we want to present a quick timeline of Houdini.

Harry Houdini, born Erik Weisz in 1874. His "Houdini" was a tribute to the French magician Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin ("Harry" was a tribute to magician Harry Kellar). In 1894 Harry married Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner (Bess) at Coney Island where they both worked at the time. They later had two additional ceremonies due to their families religious beliefs (Harry was Jewish and Bess was Catholic).

Houdini, who started as a tent magician, became one of the highest paid entertainers in the world. His exploits in the United States and Europe are legendary, especially in the field of escape.

Houdini was very close to his mother and in 1913 she passed away while he was on tour in Denmark (Her last words were "forgive"). His attempts to contact her through mediums proved futile as none of the mediums he contacted could confirm his mothers last words. He found out these mediums used simple magicians parlor tricks to fool grieving customers who thought they were speaking with their deceased relatives. This began a crusade against fraudulent mediums and spiritualists that would redefine Houdini (and for that matter, all of magic) forever.

Houdini died at age 52 from peritonitis related to appendicitis brought on by punches to the stomach he had received in Montreal on October 22, 1926. The punches were delivered by a student before Houdini had a chance to prepare for it (Houdini often would demonstrate how he could take a punch to the stomach, but he had to know they were coming to flex his muscles accordingly). Despite being in pain and temperatures over 100 degrees, Houdini continued his performances and traveled to Detroit where he did his final performance at the Garrick Theater on October 24, 1926. He was admitted to Detroit Grace Hospital after the show and died a week later on Halloween at 1:26 pm.

Before his death, he promised his wife that if it was possible to contact her from the beyond, he would do so. They worked out a secret code that only they knew, and here we are, 100 years later, still waiting for Houdini's message from beyond.

Our first historical article (more are above in the sub-categories) is from Abbott's legendary stage manager Werner Dornfield in 1964 who was a friend of Houdini.

At this time I am privileged to present thru the courtesy of Lee Allen Estes, a pictorial reproduction of one of Houdini's very first theatrical posters. This was used during the early career of Houdini. You will note the poster states that he is the "King of Kards". This was apparently before he took on the challenging escape work he did for the greater part of his long and successful career. He was an indefatigable worker and like the late Thomas Edison, he could get along with very little sleep. He was always on the go and never seemed to run out of energy and ambition. He was that rare combination of clever artiste and astute business man. One of his most outstanding assets was his uncanny ability to get publicity for his endeavors. Almost everything he did was front page news. In spite of the many amazing effects he presented in the leading theatres of the world, probably his best trick was to completely fill the biggest theatres. As I mentioned previously, most of his professional career was devoted to the presentation of all sorts of escape effects. But he was a devoted disciple of magic in all its branches. As a matter of fact, for a short period prior to his untimely death in 1926 he had the satisfaction and joy of presenting his own full evening show of magic and illusions. And of course several of his best escape stunts.

He was a great favorite in Europe, playing the big time music halls of Great Britain and the Continent. He was an active member of the Magician's Club of London as well as president of that august body. He was also a very active member of the Society of American Magicians where he was elected president for eight years in succession.

In his tours of the United States he spent time and money organizing Assemblies in the larger cities. Until that time there was only the Parent Assembly No. 1 in N.Y.C. and Assembly No. 2 in San Francisco. He managed to make appearances at any and all Assembly meetings if they happened to fall during the week he was being headlined on the Keith and Orpheum Circuits. He was keenly interested in watching the newcomers and gave freely his advice and encouragement. For personal reasons he became vitally interested in Spiritualism and its mediums. Until he discovered most of those with whom he came in contact were outright charlatans and fakers.

He then began an intensive campaign of locating and exposing these spurious soul savers. As a matter of fact when he did his full evening show, which consisted of three parts, the last portion was entirely devoted to the exposure of local mediums in the city of his engagement. He managed to gather reams of publicity, mostly front page, in even the very conservative journals of that time. In Chicago he appeared for eight consecutive weeks at the Princess Theatre which is now just another parking lot. He had packed houses every day. There is, and has been for many years much discussion as to his birthplace. Some say it was Hungary and others insist it was Appleton, Wis. It is known though, as a fact, that he spent most of his early years in Appleton. He left there to work in circuses and dime museums. From these lowly places he gradually pulled himself up by his own bootstraps until eventually he became one of the greatest drawing cards in the history of the theatre. He got big salaries and spent most of his earnings on bigger and better publicity stunts.

Like most of us, he had his faults. But with them he had many likeable qualities. To demonstrate his keen interest in the art of magic, he made it his business to look up the neglected graves of well known magi and restore them to respectability. He was also always to be found in second hand book stores, looking for additions to his immense collection of magicana, one of the finest in the world. His family name was Eric Weiss. He assumed the name of Houdini because his magical hero was Robert-Houdin of France. He authored many books on magic and kindred affairs. Some of these have been quite controversial but they are still good reading. A few years ago Hollywood made a picture of his life and to anyone who knew him as well as I did, the picture was pretty well "Hollywooded". But it was entertaining all the way thru and of course that is the ultimate aim of all film stories.

Houdini was a good friend if he liked you and he liked most people. Of course he had some interesting feuds with performers who did any kind of escape acts, but they all came to amicable understanding as the respective warriors mellowed with time and age. He had a brother named Theodore.

He worked under the name of Hardeen. At the time of Houdini's death, Hardeen took over the show and worked it for some seasons to great success. Later on he was featured with Olsen and Johnson in their famous Broadway "Hellzapoppin" extravaganzas. Both he and Houdini are no longer with us but they will never be forgotten as the top stars of an era when the theatre had its greatest glory.

After Houdini's death, the organization that Houdini founded - Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.) - declared October 31st "Houdini day" with the first occurance on Oct 31st, 1927. On this day, magicians across America and Canada are encouraged to visit hospitals and other charitable endeavors to provide free entertainment.

Abbott's began in 1934, after Houdini's death but during the 10 year post death seance period. After the final seance failed to contact Houdini on Oct 31, 1936, Abbott's put out the following snippet in its monthly magazine.

Seances held simultaneously in various parts of the country on October 31st were all to no avail. Harry Houdini did not speak. Theo. Hardeen, brother of Houdini, at New York, Harry Cecil at Detroit, and the patient widow, herself, at Los Angeles, conducted large seances. Houdini's admirers and friends over the nation joined their pleas with those of the leaders of the major seances.

But no voice came from the Great Beyond.

Since Harry Houdini's death ten years ago, Mrs. Houdini has kept a light burning continuously over a picture of her husband. At the close of the seance on this Hallowe'en night, exactly ten years after his death, Mrs. Houdini, in despair, turned out the light.

Of course, Houdini lives on, in the minds and hearts of all lovers of magic and of all laymen who ever were fortunate enough to come into contact with his vibrant and dynamic personality. But that is small consolation for the hopeful woman who has for so long anticipated some word from him. The ten years have passed - those ten years during which Mrs. Houdini felt certain that her husband would communicate with her. And Mrs. Houdini has turned out the light the light over his picture and the light of her hope.

After this last official seance, Bess moved to California and began promoting the memory of Houdini through her business manager Edward Saint. Abbott's would post a tribute and memorial to Houdini each year in their monthly magazine, and would also give updates on Bess Houdini who stayed in touch with magic in various ways.

She would appear at various magic functions to hand out awards and make special appearances at magic dinners. If Mrs. Houdini was showing up for an event, even as a guest, it would ensure success. The press (and magic) began calling her "The Queen of Magic" during this period of time.

In 1936 Abbott's published the following "News from Hollywood" in their monthly publication "Tops" magazine.

"The Great Houdini"

TO BE PRODUCED BY PARAMOUNT.

Edward Saint, Business Manager for Mrs. Harry Houdini, reports that Paramount Pictures Corporation has signed contracts for the purchase of the screen rights to Mrs. Houdini's story of her late husband, entitled "The Great Houdini". The picture is to be one of their super-features, costing about half million and will go into production immediately.

The deal was consummated by Ben Jackson-Harold Layton, Inc. Frank O'Connor, director and writer, will assist Arthur Hornblow, Paramount production executive in the preparation and production of the screen story.

No cast or star has been selected although several "big names" are under serious consideration. Mrs. Houdini's contract with the producers specifically states and demands that the picture "SHALL CONTAIN NO EXPOSES OF MAGIC WHATSOEVER "

Caryl S. Fleming, President,

Pacific Coast Association of Magicians.

NOTE: Seventeen years later the picture was finally produced, and was simply called Houdini and starred Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. George Boston was the technical advisor and there was no exposing 'whatsoever'. Neil Foster made the following comment:
"The first time I saw the picture was with Dr. Tarbell, he wept several times during it - he had known the Houdinis intimately - this I thought, was a great compliment to Mr. Curtis and Miss Leigh."
It is sad to note that neither Madame Houdini, Edward Saint nor Carl Fleming lived to see the finished picture.

In 1937 Abbott's published - through her business manager Edward Saint - a full page Christmas greeting to Abbott's readers which is displayed to the right.

A year later, in 1938, her business manager Edward Saint published the details of renaming Houdini day to National Magic day, which Abbott's published in their monthly publication "Tops" magazine and is provided in its entirety above in the first sub-category. This eventually would evolve into National Magic Week where magicians perform for shut ins and others who are incapable of attending magic shows.

As mentioned above, Bess did not survive to see the first Houdini movie. She was having health issue but continued to be a trooper and make appearances at conventions and dinners. In 1942 she was on the radio program "I Was There" that was listend to by a national audience as she told a tale of her and Houdini while in Russia. What was not known was that she had burned her hands a few days before. She was in constant pain and her hands were bandaged up. She did not want this injury to detract from the story so she hid that fact by wearing gloves.

Bess passed away on a train while traveling to Needles California. After her death, Bess' family (Catholic) would not permit her burial with Harry - who was buried next to his mother - at the Machpelha Jewish Cemetery in Queens, New York. Instead her family had her buried at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. You can find many more details about Bess in our "Interview with Houdini's niece" above in the second sub-category above.