Shot at the illustrious Houdini Estate. Thank you @BritishGQ, @DylanJonesGQ and #GavinBond! https://t.co/FXkcxjnVkn pic.twitter.com/OQazEujnfX— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) September 6, 2018
The approach taken to the new exhibit is based in part on front-end surveys of the Museum's membership (including Houdini Historical Center and Outagamie County Historical Society members). Respondents to the surveys rated their interest in Houdini's escapes, his stages of life, his personal relationships, and historical forces affecting his life and career. A majority of respondents favored a heavy use of interactives and wanted to know how Houdini performed his tricks. The most popular description of Houdini was a "showman" and the most common reason for remembering Houdini was his contributions to magic.
In what would be his last "Backstage" column, Sid discusses the book Lily Dale by Christine Wicker about the famous spiritualist community. Sid talks about his own visit and how the resident medium employed a cold reading technique, but was still unable to divine a single correct deal about Sid or his wife. "No more comment is needed," says Sid.
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| Hartford Courant, Dec. 22, 1918 |
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SUDDENLY, SUNDAY IS SPOOOOKYThere’s no question that Rob Zabrecky is versatile. He’s won six AMA awards (did we mention that the Awards Show is coming up on August 23rd?), and performs all over the place. But perhaps the best fit for him has been the Magic Castle® Houdini Séance. Since 2010, Rob has been one of the regular séance mediums, doing hundreds of mesmerizing performances for AMA members and their guests in his ghoulish guise as the "Ghost Host."On Sunday, August 16th, at 7:00 p.m. PT, Mr. Z will lift the veil on the Castle’s famous attraction. He’ll discuss the history of the room, regale you with tales of the handful of mediums who have also performed in that strange, dark chamber, and also present a conversation with the longtime resident medium, Leo Kostka. Plus, you’ll learn about the future plans for the room. Hosted by Trustee Jonathan Levit, it will be a fun and memorable evening. Open to all members, by going to www.magiccastle.com, entering the Members Only area, and then clicking into "Live! Behind The Bookcase."
The performance is closed by the Empire Biograph, by which are reproduced "An office boy's revenge" and Houdini extricating himself from manacles placed on him by Hackenschmidt, who appears to enjoy the fun immensely.
I recently subscribed to The British Newspaper Archive, and I'm losing my mind! I'm adding volumes of information about Houdini in the UK my Chronology. I'm also coming across many photographic gems, such as the below. This comes from the February 17, 1904 Tatler magazine. Not much to say except, wow, what a pic!
For the record, Houdini appeared in the UK in 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1914, and 1920.
Okay, back to work!
Houdini, renowned as a ghost chaser, has been asked to come here to look expertly into the mystery and detect, if possible, any hoax.
Every evening Daniel sat at Houdini's bedside listening to his halting sentences as he reminisced mostly about his childhood. [...] Though he had no appetite for food, he said to Daniel one evening, "I have a yen for Farmers Chop Suey." Farmers Chop Suey is a favorite dish in Jewish homes, consisting of raw vegetables combined with sour cream. Daniel walked over to a nearby delicatessen on Woodward Avenue and bought two portions. As they were eating, Houdini said, "If I die, don't be surprised if phony spiritualists declare a national holiday."
Sid Radner writes his "Backstage" column from his home in Florida, saying a magician with the name Hare E. Houdini is performing locally. He also notes that the city of Appleton has issued a 2nd Day cover of the Houdini Stamp. He then solicits ideas for where to hold the 2003 Official Houdini Seance.
