We know in her later years, Bess Houdini frequented clubs and restaurants along Hollywood Blvd., such as Sardi's. But in 1995, Bess returned to Hollywood! Okay, not the Bess, but the first Bess of the cinema, Janet Leigh.
In 1995, Ms. Leigh came to Collectors Book Store, then located at Hollywood and Vine, to sign copies of her first novel, House of Destiny. Collectors Book Store was a Mecca for film buffs and collectors and was co-owned by our good friend and Houdini buff, Mark Willoughby. Many Hollywood treasures passed through this store for more than 40 years before it closed in 2008.
Below is a photo of Janet Leigh at that very book signing. But what you are going to want to notice is the dress standing beside the Houdini poster behind Janet. This is the dress she wore in the 1953 film during the scene in which the Houdinis are stood-up by reporters on their return to America. It's owned by a private collector, but Mark arranged for it to be displayed at the signing. It's great to see that it still exists.
This wasn't Janet's first Collectors Book Store signing. In 1987, she signed copies of her autobiography, There Really Was A Hollywood. I missed the '95 signing, but I was there for her first signing in '87. You gotta love how she inscribed my book...
Thanks to Mark Willoughby and Collectors Book Store for the photos.
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Wow! That is cool John! Did you ask Janet to sign it "Mrs. Houdini" or did she do this on a whim? I'm sure you read her book. How is it?
ReplyDeleteNo, I didn't tell her what to write. But I'm sure I mentioned that I was a huge fan of Houdini and she took it from there.
DeleteThanks John! It's a bit surreal to actually speak with a film or television star, even if it's just at the autograph table. You plan on what to say, and when it's your turn you get tongue tied.
ReplyDeleteI never have much to say. I'm pretty shy in those situations. Although I once used it as an opportunity to solve a Great Houdinis mystery. HERE.
DeleteStrange as it sounds, Harry's demise in 1926 allowed Bess to have a Hollywood clubbing life that she might otherwise not have enjoyed if Harry had continued living.
ReplyDeleteI think Bess was always free to do anything she wanted. Remember the hijinks she and her sister got up to.
DeleteI went to one of the signings - I had her sign my copy of Genii Magazine which featured her and Tony Curtis on the cover. I later had Tony sign it.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome.
DeleteI loaned the store my framed Houdini (1953) quad poster for the event. When I got it back, I saw Mark had had her sign the back. :)