Gamble on Houdini!

Think you’ve seen it all? So did I, until I stumbled on these Houdini slot machines at the Mirage hotel and casino in Las Vegas.

Actually, I’m not even sure what kind of machines these are. All I know is they made my money disappear like magic. Two helpful women playing beside me told me these were “penny slots.” They also pointed out that I was unusually unlucky.

Well, not too unlucky, because I was thrilled to have lucked into finding these! Here are a few more pics (which I later discovered I was not supposed to take). Enjoy.

Death Defying Acts DVD gets new packaging and a subtitle

It appears The Weinstein Company is struggling with exactly how to sell Death Defying Acts on DVD. Amazon now shows new packaging that returns to the original title, but adds the subtitle, "Houdini’s Secret". This is a modification on their first modification which retitled the film, Houdini’s Death Defying Acts.

New packaging (left) replaces the old (right).

The new tag-line “Magic is Inescapable” -- instead of "Love is Inescapable" as used on the film poster -- has been retained, however, it appears the DVD will no longer be marketed under The Weinstein Company’s classics label, The Miriam Collection.

Clairvoyant Kim can’t conjure Houdini

Having claimed to have made contact with Houdini’s spirit, Canadian TV and radio medium Kim Dennis (aka "Clairvoyant Kim" aka "Antiques Psychic") was unable to prove it at a seance conducted at the Houdini Museum in Scranton.

According to the press release issued by the museum, Dennis asked if anyone had questions for Houdini. Jeff Blood, a living relation, presented a health question only Houdini would know. Ms Dennis she said she’d answer later, but never did.

Curator Dick Brooks then brought out three questions sent by celebrated psychic investigator James Randi, whose answers were in a sealed envelope. Dennis would not consider the questions, abruptly stopped, and angrily walked out, never to return.

Event organizer Dorothy Dietrich, said, “We have it all on tape. If she were truly psychic she'd have known these questions were forthcoming. Many have tried to contact the great Houdini since he died in 1926 but none have succeeded.”

Dennis refused to appear for a TV cameraman from network affiliate WYOU TV who arrived later to interview her. Instead, the press release states, “she ran up the stairs to the parking lot and got in her car.”

Dennis stated on her website, “I travelled to heaven where I was sometimes taught by a guide, but did not appear to have their help on this occasion.”

Kid Houdini and the Silver Dollar Misfits

A printed copy of the terrific online comic Kid Houdini and the Silver Dollar Misfits has been released as a 90 page Graphic Novel by Viper Comics.

Written and created by Dwight L. MacPherson, Kid Houdini and the Silver Dollar Misfits is set in 1886 and tells the fictional adventures of Houdini’s days a runaway.

Purchase Kid Houdini and the Silver Dollar Misfits at Amazon.com.

This article first appeared on Houdini Lives.

Houdini’s Coloring Book

Here’s a fun Houdini tie-in produced and sold exclusively at Houdini’s Magic Shop, the magic Houdini’s Coloring Book.

The first time the magician flips through the book, the pages are all normal coloring book type pages. The second flip through the book and all of the pictures have become brightly colored. The third flip through the book and the pages are blank! The final flip returns the book to its normal condition. A great effect, and the illustrations of Houdini are pretty nice in themselves!

CLICK HERE to purchase Houdini’s Coloring Book from Houdini’s Magic shop online.

Death Defying Acts opens in the UK

Death Defying Acts, starring Guy Pearce as Houdini and Catherine Zeta-Jones as a Scottish psychic, opens today in the UK.

Death Defying Acts played a VERY limited engagement in New York and Los Angeles last month. I’m not sure how wide this UK release will be, but it is currently playing in cinemas of the Odeon chain.

Charity event at the Houdini Estate

The fabled "Houdini Estate" in Laurel Canyon CA will be the site of what sounds like a pretty magical charity event on August 23, 2008.

The Guardians Young Divisions invite you to enjoy "A Night of Fantasy and Illusion at the Houdini Estate; an unforgettable night of astonishing live entertainment -- including fire performances and illusionists -- as well as an open bar, fine cuisine, dancing, Poker and gaming, and more!!"

The event will take place on August 23, 2008 from 8pm to 1am, and will benefit the residents of the Jewish Home for the Aging.

Click here to purchase tickets (I just got mine). Hope to see you there!