Unfortunately, the series, now in its 24th season, seems to be running out of ideas. They've turned to the old murder/poisoning conspiracy theory, and do a pretty sloppy job with even the basic facts (he performed "for several weeks" after the punch?). But on the upside, we get to see our friend Dorothy Dietrich and the Houdini Museum in Scranton.
By my count this marks Houdini's seventh appearance on the show.
Related:
We spent two full days on this shoot. One day at the museum and another in a sound studio just outside of New York. They shot hours and hours so one never knows what will be included. Glad to have done it since it is one of the longest, if not the longest running shows in the country, and one of the most watched. The show helps again and again to bring Houdini's story and legacy to the fore for millions and millions of people around the globe. They also repeat the shows again and again, and feature parts on their web site and on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteDorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz
The Houdini Museum, Scranton, PA
The Only Building in the World Dedicated to Houdini
Houdini's temporary improvement after the removal of the appendix makes sense since the infection had not yet spread completely through his bloodstream, and his subsequent decline is logical once the peritonitis had done its job. Without antibiotics, the infection wouldn't just go away on its own. (When President McKinley was shot by an assassin's bullet, he too showed improvement after the bullet was removed and he was expected to recover, but not longer after that, gangrene set in and there was no hope for him.) So the poisoning theory is more than a stretch since Houdini's sad decline in the circumstances follows a logical course. Still, maybe the program will capture the imagination of people who will hopefully want to learn more about Houdini.
ReplyDeleteOur latest segment on "Mysteries At The Museum" began Feb. 2019 and will run thru the year. Above is a YouTube link. We begin at 27:11 until 35:31 featuring Dorothy Dietrich, The Water Torture and asking was Houdini Murdered or poisoned by the Spiritualists.
ReplyDeleteThe episode title is "Scared to Death" and features the 9 minute story with Houdini Museum-Scranton, PA's Dorothy Dietrich discussing Houdini's death. Check their site for clips of our other showings. Dietrich Mirror Cuffs, & Museum, & Doyle & Houdini.
Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz
The Houdini Museum, Scranton, PA
The Only Building in the World Dedicated to Houdini