Eric Colleary talks Houdini's Library, Oct 28

Our good friend Dr. Eric Colleary, Cline Curator of Theatre and Performing Arts at the Harry Ransom Center, will discuss his new book, Houdini's Library, during a FREE online presentation at Untapped Cities this Wednesday, October 28, at 6 PM ET. Click the image below for details and to register.

For my money, Houdini's Library is THE must-buy Houdini book in a year filled with great Houdini books. It's meticulously researched, expertly written, and beautifully designed. It's also a serious work that truly provides new insight into Houdini. It's certainly the book Houdini would be most pleased with, as his collections meant so much to him. And the number of unseen images is breathtaking.

You can pre-order Houdini's Library on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. The HRC exhibition, Houdini's Library, is on show now through January 24, 2027.

Thanks to Leo Hevia for the alert.

Related:

• Houdini's Library hits #1 on Amazon
• Experience "Houdini's Library" starting this weekend
• Eric Colleary on The Magic Detective Podcast

New Houdini historical marker in Appleton

A new historical marker honoring Houdini and his impact on Wisconsin's history has appeared in Houdini Plaza in Appleton, Wisconsin. A special dedication ceremony is planned for Halloween. Below are details from the Facebook event page:

10:30 - 11:00 a.m. - Historical Marker Dedication: Be part of this special moment as we formally dedicate the official Wisconsin State Historical Marker in Houdini Plaza, celebrating Houdini’s lasting connection to Appleton and his mark on history.

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Free Family Event: Directly following the dedication ceremony, head over to Fox Commons (10 E College Ave Appleton) for an afternoon of live entertainment featuring... Music, Magic & Variety Acts by Prof. Pinkerton Xyloma and Dead Man’s Carnival.

Appleton Downtown Inc. Executive Director Jennifer Stephany said, "You think about the history and the mark that he made on the art and industry of magic, and it's really unmatched. And it's really an honor for the community of Appleton and the Fox Cities to be able to honor that legacy right here in downtown Appleton."

Related:

• New historical marker coming to Houdini Plaza
• Houdini LIVED in Appleton last week
• A rundown of October Houdini events 🎃
  

The Magic Castle celebrates Houdini 100

The Magic Castle is celebrating Houdini all week with a Halloween layover themed "Houdini 100." I went with fellow blogger Joe Notaro for lunch on Friday to check it out, and it's great. Houdini is everywhere! Margery also gets a bit of equal time for some reason. Maybe the ghost of Dai Vernon was on the decoration committee.

This is a pretty busy week at the Castle, but if you can get a reservation, it's a great week to visit. Of course, you can't take photos inside the Castle, but I was able to photograph the outside and lobby decorations. I've shared those on my Patreon below.

Related:

• The Official Houdini Séance 2026 to be held at The Magic Castle
• Magic Castle announces a New Houdini Séance
• Escaping Obscurity at the Magic Castle

Celebrating Houdini and National Magic Week

Yesterday, Tom Gentile and the SAM hosted a six-hour Zoom event celebrating Houdini and marking the start of National Magic Week. Yesterday also happened to be the 100th anniversary of Houdini last performance at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit on October 24, 1926. The countdown to Halloween has begun!

It was a terrific event with presentations by many prominent Houdiniites, including Joe Notaro, Eric Colleary, Tom Ewing, Jeff & Debbie Blood, Charles Greene III, Bill Radner, Bruce Averbook, Dean Gunnerson, Trudy Monti, Joe Devlin, Houdini II, Robert Kirkpatrick, John Hinson, Scott Wells, Wayne Alan, and more. I was also invited to give a brief presentation. I had planned something history-based and a little unique, but then I received a package in the mail and decided to change things up.

What's in the mystery box behind me? If you were on the Zoom, you know. If not, I'll soon be sharing it here on the blog.

Congratulations to Tom Gentile, Robert Dadras, and Joel "Batman" Zaritsky for an outstanding event and wonderful six hours celebrating Houdini!

Photo courtesy Charles Greene III.

Related:

• Six-hour Houdini online celebration, Oct 24
• Houdini takes the stage for the last time
• The Garrick after Houdini

In one week, Houdini comes home (maybe)

I can hardly believe that in just one week I will be waking up inside Houdini's New York home (278) and preparing for a day of historic séances. No séance has taken place inside 278 since 1971, so this is special. Of course, there are many other Houdini séance events happening on Halloween, but nothing could keep me away from this one. Heck, even if there weren't any séances, 278 is where I would most want to spend this 100th Anniversary. And it's still not too late to join us.

This event is the brainchild of magician Reynold Alexander and the homeowners, Niro Anandasabapathy and Vincent Toms. All proceeds will be donated to a new "Make cancer disappear" fund at Weill Cornell Medicine for cancer vaccine and immunotherapy research (time of death seance), and to the restoration and preservation of the house (evening seances). Every effort is being made to create a special environment and vibe with a pianist, wine and cheese, and lots of Halloween atmosphere. Photos of Houdini inside the house will be displayed, along with some Houdini artifacts discovered during the restoration and others brought by attendees. The evening séances will be black-tie!

I will be giving a short talk on Houdini, the house, and what this séance signifies. I'll then give the house tour. I'll point out where some of the famous photos were taken and share a few house secrets. The séance will be held in the dining room, which was once Houdini's library. This was Houdini favorite place in the world to be, and some say he's still here!

There has been one change regarding who will be leading the séances. Originally, it was announced that Jodi Lynn, a certified psychic, would conduct all three séances. She impressed the attendees of the Official Houdini Séance in 2022, and she was excited to try again. However, a family matter has made Jodi unavailable in October.

Instead of bringing in an untested psychic or medium, we decided to return to the great tradition of the Annual Houdini Séance. The legendary Dorothy Dietrich will lead the 1:26 charity séance. Walter B. Gibson, who knew Houdini and spent a lot of time inside 278, handed Dorothy the séance tradition in 1976, and she has kept it going for 50 years alongside her partner Dick Brookz. It seems fitting that Dorothy should do her famous scene inside the house on this 100th anniversary. It's history on top of history!

Dorothy is passed the mantle by Walter B. Gibson 

and Milbourne Christopher in 1976.

For the 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM séances, magician Jessica Jane will take the reins and conduct the séances. Jessica has a deep love and understanding of Houdini and was educated in séance traditions by the late Rev. William Rauscher, a close family friend. Jessica will be trying some things no other séance has ever thought to try. I'm really excited for Jessica to bring a new approach and energy to the Houdini séance tradition. She is the next generation.

Jessica Jane has a message for Harry. Will he answer?

Every attendee will receive a Houdini house brick, a mini wand made from 278 wood by Barry Spector, and a few other special mementos of the evening. I'm so excited to be part of this and to be among a confluence of people who love and honor Houdini. How can the man himself not drop by?

The 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM séances have been sold out for months, but someone recently had to cancel, so two seats are now open for the 6:30 PM séance (as of this writing). If you want to be part of history, I'd grab one of these seats now. There are 5 spots open on the 1:26 PM charity séance. All proceeds from that séance go to cancer research.

Visit the official Houdini Anniversary Séance website, houdini.nyc, for more information and to reserve a seat. Whether Houdini joins us or not, this will be a memorable and historic gathering.

See you inside.

UPDATE: The 6:30 PM séance is now sold out! There are still seats left for the Time of Death charity séance. Also, if you cannot attend but would like to make a separate contribution to cancer immunotherapy, please send a check payable to Weill Cornell Medical College to the address below and include in the memo line: "make cancer disappear fund."  

 

Mailing Address:

Weill Cornell Medicine

Attn: Hailey Kieltyka

Office of External Affairs

P.O. Box 22497

New York, NY 10087-2497

Thank you!

Related:

• Inside Houdini's 278
• The haunting of Houdini's 278
• New 278 owners committed to preserving Houdini history

Six-hour Houdini online celebration, Oct 24

Tomorrow, October 24, Tom Gentile and the SAM will host a 6-hour Houdini tribute event on Zoom starting at 6 PM ET. Tom has a great lineup of presenters, including me (I'll be in the 9–10 block).  Here are the details.

You may recall that in 2022 The Society of American Magicians arranged a 17-hour Zoom around the world (20 countries) for Harry Houdini’s birthday. This year marks 100 years since his passing, and the Society of American Magicians in collaboration with the PA1, has arranged a SIX-hour Zoom with many invited from people known to PROMOTE, SUPPORT, COLLECT or TEACH and are from organizations all around the globe, such as the Society of American Magicians, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Magic Circle, FISM, and locations dedicated to magic. 

The start time is October 24th 6 pm EST, ending at midnight, to kick off National Magic Week 24th (October 25-31) in tribute to Harry Houdini’s habit of reaching out to others in the name of Magic at Hospitals, Shelters, Assisted living centers, schools, and more. 

I hope you can join us and visit for a spell! We do more together.

You can join via the links below. Hope to see you there!

Come Join The S.A.M. Houdini Zoom Event!

Meeting ID: 882 8079 4224

Passcode: 316555

Related:

• Houdini LIVED in Appleton last week
• Connecting with Houdini in Kansas City (and St. Joe)
• Celebrate Houdini's 150th with the SAM online (2024)

Lon Cerel reveals Houdini in Rhode Island, Oct 29

I've been tracking Houdini-related events this month on a single list because there are just too many to report individually. However, I think this one deserves a special shout-out. If I were in the area, I would definitely attend. Below are the details.

The Museum of Work & Culture will host Rhode Island-based professional magician and entertainer Lon Cerel on Thursday, October 29, from 6 - 8 p.m. for Fifty Years of Escapes, Ephemera, and Houdini Lore: Preserving a Rhode Island Connection. 

For the first time in 50 years, Cerel’s collection of vault-secured, museum-grade archive of manacles, stage-used apparatus, rare correspondence, and ephemeral artifacts belonging to Harry Houdini will be on public display. Houdini performed numerous times in Rhode Island, both in Providence and Woonsocket, with his last appearance just weeks before his untimely death.

The VIP portion of the program begins at 6 pm with a wine and cheese reception where a limited number of guests will receive an exclusive, intimate guided look at the artifacts. 

The main event will begin at 7 pm and feature a 30 min talk by Cerel, where he will detail the history represented in his collection, recount the stories associated with the artifacts, including that of Houdini’s last days, and discuss his own death-defying high-altitude, upside-down straitjacket escape performed in 1976 for the 50th anniversary of Houdini’s death. A Q&A will follow. 

The Museum of Work and Culture is located at 42 South Main Street in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. You can buy tickets HERE.  

Related:

• Houdini arrives in Providence
• My Houdini window card turns 100
• Suspended straitjacket escape in Providence?

Three more 2026 Houdini book releases

If it's a Thursday, it must be time for another Houdini book release. Or maybe three! To say this has been a big year for Houdini books is an understatement. I'm keeping a complete list HERE, but I'm also trying to highlight each new release as it appears. Here are three new ones.

First up is Houdini Unlocked: The Master Magician as Marketing King by Brian J. Robb, released today in the UK. (The U.S. release will be in July of next year.) Below are the details.

Houdini was quick to grasp the concept of ‘entertainer as brand’, where fame was an aim in itself. When others stole his act, he published a book of his ‘handcuff secrets’ and quickly moved on to more extravagant escapes. He arranged many escapes with local merchants in the towns he visited on tour, in early mass tie-in marketing, and set up challenges with newspapers. 

This new study, timed for the centenary of his death, explores his unique life and position as both escapologist and marketing extraordinaire.

Purchase Houdini Unlocked: The Master Magician as Marketing King at Amazon.co.uk or pre-order at Amazon.com.

Next, our good friend Dean Carnegie, The Magic Detective, has just released The Houdini Coloring Book: 100th Centennial 1926-2026.

One hundred years after Harry Houdini made his final exit on Halloween 1926, the world's most famous escape artist still holds us spellbound. 

This centennial coloring book brings Houdini's legend back to life in 24 detailed coloring pages: The King of Cards, Metamorphosis, The Handcuff King, daring jail breaks and bridge jumps, the Milk Can and the Double Fold Death Defying Mystery, his historic flight in Australia, The Water Torture Cell, the Overboard Packing Case, the Straitjacket Escape, The Vanishing Elephant, his silent film thrillers, and his crusade against fake spirit mediums. 

Each of the 18 history plates is paired with a short note from magician and Houdini historian Dean Carnegie, creator of The Magic Detective.

Purchase The Houdini Coloring Book: 100th Centennial 1926-2026 on Amazon.

Finally, we have Trudy Monti's latest, Houdini & Me 2026 Chronicles, an expansion of her January release, Houdini & Me 2026.

Step into the captivating world of Harry Houdini, one of history’s most iconic figures, through the insightful pages of the Houdini & Me 2026 Chronicles. The Houdini & Me 2026 journal captures the daily events of Houdini’s extraordinary life in concise entries that hint at the richness of the stories behind them. 

In the companion to the journal, Houdini & Me 2026 Chronicles, with over 400 articles chronicling his incredible journey - from The Brothers Houdini to the dazzling solo acts of his later years - readers can witness the evolution of Houdini’s breathtaking performances, including the Metamorphosis, the Milk Can Escape, and the daring Chinese Water Torture Cell. 

Beyond the stage, delve into the personal choices that shaped his incredible legacy: a new name, an adjusted birthdate, and a reimagined birthplace. Each day offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a master magician, inviting you to truly know the man behind the myth.

Purchase  Houdini & Me 2026 Chronicles at Amazon.

Feast now! Because if my own book lands in December as anticipated, I don't know of any new releases for 2027.

Related:

• The 2026 Houdini Centennial Bookshelf 📚
• Houdini’s Coloring Book
• Quotable Houdini

LINK: Can AI slop even have an aesthetic?

This is a well-written and interesting read. It's not a review bashing Houdini: Back from the Dead per se. It even acknowledges there are good moments. But it does take on the idea of an all-AI documentary. It makes me think. Depending on where this all goes, Houdini: Back from the Dead could actually be a watershed moment in the history of documentary filmmaking (for good or bad). Harry on the cutting edge as always!

Sometimes, in Fox Nation’s Houdini: Back From The Dead, I can see the future of documentaries like the Ken Burns ones. Fox advertised the documentary as using AI to bring Houdini back to life, and there are moments where you do feel like the dead have been resurrected. Then a Scarlet Johansson lookalike flashes some distinctively ahistorical cleavage to make Houdini’s wife jealous and that marvelous vision of the future of documentaries disappears as neatly as Houdini would disappear an elephant.

Click to read the full article at AV Club 

Houdini: Back from the Dead is available now to watch on FOX Nation if you are a subscriber. If you are not, know you can get a 7-day free trial via Amazon.

Related:

• LINK: Houdini Back From The Dead - A Review
• 'Houdini: Back From The Dead' coming October 14
• Houdini Documentaries

The Official Houdini Séance 2026 to be held at The Magic Castle

The Official Houdini Séance for 2026 will be held at The Magic Castle in Hollywood. Rob Zabrecky will be the medium. The séance will be held in the large Palace of Mystery instead of the Houdini Séance Room so members can attend (word is it's already full). The séance follows Potter & Potter's Houdini Returns: The Centennial Auction, which is also being held at the Castle on Halloween. Here is the official press release.

Houdini experts gather to speak to the world’s greatest escape artist.  Do the spirits return from the dead?

A committed group of Houdini experts and magic historians will convene at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA for The Official Houdini Séance on October 31.  The event has been a tradition since Harry Houdini, one of the most memorable international superstars, died at 1:26PM on Halloween 100 years ago.  He succumbed to peritonitis in Detroit, MI at the age of 52.

Houdini’s wife, Bess, honored her husband’s wish to hold a séance every year on the day of his death for 10 years.  In 1936, from the top of the Knickerbocker Hotel in Hollywood, her final séance was broadcast worldwide by radio.  Despite her best efforts, no sign or manifestations appeared, and Mrs. Houdini ended her vigil. 

“Besides the pact he made with his wife, Houdini enlisted other magicians and friends to conduct seances after his death,” said Séance director, William Radner of West Springfield, MA. “He boasted that if there was a way to make contact from the afterlife, he would do it.  Our group follows that 100-year tradition.” 

“Houdini was a very determined man,” said Radner. “His accomplishments were numerous.  His story of overcoming tremendous odds inspires us to continue our attempts to break through.”

The Official Houdini Séance has taken place at numerous locations throughout the world.  It is the second time the Magic Castle has hosted the séance.  “We have enlisted the services of professional medium Rob Zabrecky to guide us during the evening," said Radner. "He comes to us with strong credentials.  We remain hopeful." 

The annual séance attracts a prestigious group of participants.  This year, a very special Inner Circle member will be Debbie Hardeen Bloom, grandniece of Houdini. Others include handcuff expert Fred Pittella from Brooklyn, NY, Houdini collectors Arthur Moses from Texas, Dr. Bruce Averbook from Ohio, and Robert Somerdin from Florida, and Houdini historians Midge Markey from Washington and Tom Boldt from Wisconsin.

The Official Houdini Séance begins at 5PM PST, Oct. 31, 2026, at The Magic Castle, 7001 Franklin Ave, Hollywood, CA. The Magic Castle is a private club and open to members only.  Limited members of the press will be admitted by invitation only. For press passes, please contact Dan Hewitt, 202-277-3972 or Dhewitt@MagicCastle.com.  

For more information about the history of Houdini seances and Houdini, please contact Mr. Radner at 413-531-3333, Séance co-director Tom Boldt at 920-428-2335 or www.theofficialhoudiniseance.com.

Prior to the séance on Oct. 31, an important auction of Houdini memorabilia will take place at 10AM CST or 8AM PST.  For further information on “Houdini Returns:  The Centennial Auction” contact Potter and Potter Auctions, 773-472-1441 or info@potterauctions.com.

To make this even more special, The Magic Castle's Halloween decor this year is, what else, Houdini 100!

Top image courtesy of Paul Mandrex 

Related:

• A rundown of October 2026 Houdini events 🎃
• The Magic Castle reorganizes with Houdini's help
• Join the 100th Anniversary Séance at Houdini's home

'Houdini and the Promise of Youth' by Jef Stevens

Here's another 2026 non-fiction release that took me by surprise: Houdini and the Promise of Youth: Monkey Glands, an Aging Body, and an Unanswered Question by Jef Stevens. Below is the cover and description.

Harry Houdini could escape almost anything. Could he escape growing old?

In the 1920s, doctors offered an extraordinary promise: renewed youth through animal-gland transplantation. Monkey glands in Europe. Goat glands in Kansas. For a performer whose livelihood depended on his body, the prospect of restored vigor had an obvious attraction.

Houdini watched operations, corresponded about their results, and knew a surgeon conducting transplantation research. But how far did his interest go?

In Houdini and the Promise of Youth, Jef Stevens follows this little-known trail through a world where medical ambition, show business and the search for another chance collided. Along the way emerges a complicated Houdini: devoted to his mother, fiercely protective of his reputation, relentless in his promotion, and determined to expose fraudulent mediums—even when it cost him his friendship with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The investigation ends in Montreal and Detroit, with the celebrated punches, a final performance given while seriously ill, and the hospital struggle that became part of his legend.

Drawing on correspondence, contemporary reporting and medical history, this illustrated book explores Houdini’s fascination with rejuvenation, the possibility of a private operation, and the unanswered questions surrounding his death.

For magicians, magic historians, and anyone who enjoys the stranger corners of vintage history—a famous life viewed through an unexpectedly intimate mystery.

I just received my copy, and while it'll be some time before I can read it, I'm happy to see that it includes a full set of Chapter Notes and photo credits.

You can purchase Houdini and the Promise of Youth now at Amazon.com.

By the way, my 2026 Centerary Bookshelf post is worth revisiting, as the number of new releases has grown to 20. And I don't think we're done yet! Click below to go.

Related:

• Houdini, Tarzan, and the Perfect Man
• Was Houdini considering a monkey gland transplant operation?
• Monkey glands revisited (The Houdini File)

The Magical Manacles by Aldo de Pape

This new 2026 release slipped past me because it didn't have Houdini in the title, but it didn't slip past the mighty Arthur Moses! Behold The Magical Manacles by Aldo de Pape with illustrations by Bianca Tulea.

What a beautiful day it is! Our silvery hearts are very happy you noticed us. People call us manacles. We were used in the olden days to make sure naughty thieves could not escape when they were caught by the police. We are made to be strong, indestructible, and designed never to be taken apart.

For centuries, we tied people's hands together.

That is, until we belonged to a bright star like yourself, called Erik Weisz. We would love to tell you more about Erik and how he became the greatest magician who ever lived.

I received my book yesterday, and it's beautifully done. I'm a sucker for illustrated Houdini books like this. Happy to add it to the shelf.

Purchase The Magical Manacles from  Amazon or The Bright Star Bazaar.

Thank you, Arthur.

Related:

• Illustrated gems
• Harry (and Banjoe!) on the Highwire
• Guest Blog: The Magic of Houdini's Library

LINK: Houdini Back From The Dead - A Review

Our friend Dean Carnegie has reviewed all three episodes of the new AI-generated docudrama, Houdini: Back from the Dead, produced by Red Rock Films for FOX Nation. I consulted on it, so I don't feel right reviewing it myself, but I think Dean does a great job. Just click below to have a read at The Magic Detective.

Houdini: Back from the Dead is available now to watch on FOX Nation if you are a subscriber. If you are not, know you can get a 7-day free trial via Amazon.

Related:

• 'Houdini: Back From The Dead' coming October 14
• Bringing Houdini to 2026
• Houdini Documentaries

A peek at the Premium Edition slipcase

This week I received a sample slipcase for the Premium Edition of Handcuff King: The Conquests of Harry Houdini, 1900–1909, from the printers. It's a beauty! I'm not planning to reveal product images until next month, but I couldn't resist giving my patrons a video first look below.

I've also created a poll on my Patreon asking which edition, Regular or Premium, you are considering buying (or not). This post is open to everyone, so feel free to vote by clicking below. 

Handcuff King: The Conquests of Harry Houdini, 1900–1909 will be available for preorder next month, with an expected shipping date in late December. It's getting exciting!

Related:

• Patreon Priority Preorder
• End of the road (Patreon)
• Handcuff King wet proof (Patreon)