Saturday, November 13, 2010

Houdini speaks in 1970

One of the most fantastic finds in the world of magic was the discovery of six Edison Wax Cylinders containing recordings of Harry Houdini’s long lost voice. Below is an article from the Los Angeles Times, July 4, 1970, reporting the discovery.

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

The famous six wax cylinders are now part of the David Copperfield collection.

A question to my fellow Houdini nuts... Has anyone ever heard recordings of the remaining cylinders (said to contain a poem read in English and German by Houdini and his sister Gladys)? If so, how can this nut get listen?

You can listen to the available Houdini voice recording HERE.

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10 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 15, 2010 at 4:04 PM

    I'm just as curious as you are. I'd love to hear the rest of them. I just had my headphones on full blast, listening to this one for the gazillionth time, ha ha.

    I really like your new blog by the way. The top banner startled me, and I had to stare at the detailed image of his eyes for a while before continuing.

    I really appreciate and respect the amount of time you put into all this. -Leo

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  2. John CoxNovember 15, 2010 at 4:44 PM

    Thank you, Leo. I really love knowing there are people out there enjoying my site. Sometimes I'm not sure if anyone is looking at it. ;)

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  3. AnonymousNovember 26, 2010 at 12:43 AM

    Wow, his voice is nothing like I imagined it would be! It even had a germanic tinge to it.

    Greg Manwaring

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  4. John CoxNovember 26, 2010 at 7:56 AM

    Is this the first time you've heard this recording, Greg? Cool. I'm glad to have brought this too you.

    I remember back in the 70s, before this recording became public, the late great Manny Weltman played it for me over the telephone. That was my first hearing.

    You know, Houdini did a lot of radio late in his life. Is it possible some of those recordings exist tucked away in radio archives? Or was everything done live back in those days?

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  5. Beth S.February 8, 2011 at 10:18 AM

    Ah, that recording never gets old (although it's too bad this version has the last second or so clipped off). I first heard it on Bob King's still-extant HoudiniTribute.com some 11 years ago, which is about how long I've been a Houdini nut. :)

    I wish someone would release a recording of the remaining cylinders---I, too would really like to hear the poems, as well as Gladys' voice.

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  6. John CoxFebruary 8, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    I hear you, Beth, I'd soooo love to hear the rest of these recordings.

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  7. David ByronMarch 23, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    Has anyone reported having asked David Copperfield whether he'd share recordings of them? Sometimes a knock is enough to open a door.

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  8. John CoxMarch 23, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    I haven't worked up the courge. You do it, David. I'll wait here at the curb. :p

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  9. AnonymousMarch 11, 2012 at 5:20 PM

    David Copperfield, PLEASE release the remaining cylinders! Please? Please with sugar?

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  10. Melanie SilverMarch 15, 2014 at 6:18 PM

    i have only heard the water torture cell ones. jay marshall of magic in owned them at one time

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