Tag Archives: Houdini

Houdini versus the Spiritualists

Houdini made a name for himself fooling people with his illusions. But he knew they really didn’t believe he was magic, only performer to amuse them. However, when it came to spiritualists who actually claimed to be able to be able to contact the dead, Houdini relished in exposing them as frauds. This desire to expose these frauds may have come in part from his love for his mother. Houdini had a poor childhood and would often work in the streets to earn coins. He would hide them in his coat and tell his mother to shake him when he … Continue reading →

Harry Houdini’s Life – Part II

Houdini, the man who seemed to be able to escape anything, was not able to escape death. He was only 52 when he died of peritonitis caused by a ruptured appendix. Houdini was in Montreal in October 1926. A regular part of this act was to ask an audience member to punch him in the stomach to show how strong his stomach muscles were. Word of this feat spread so most audiences were aware of it. The exact details of what happened in Houdini’s Montreal dressing room are fuzzy as many people who were there had conflicting memories. But, legend … Continue reading →

Harry Houdini’s Life – Part I

I fell in love with Houdini when I saw Tony Curtis portray him in the 1953 film “Houdini.” I don’t know if it was young, handsome Tony Curtis that attracted me or the story itself, but from that moment on, I have been in love with Harry Houdini. When my husband and I went to Vegas for the first time, I made him walk down the Strip in 100 degree plus weather to see the Houdini Museum. When we got there, it was a small room, but I was not disappointed. Just seeing Houdini items was an incredible thrill. Houdini … Continue reading →