Backstage with Mr. Houdini

In the 1920s a New York Daily News columnist pen-named "Sally Joy Brown" would invite groups of children to Broadway shows and other various entertainments. All they had to do was write her a letter explaining a good deed they had done or some other similar instruction. In December 1925, Houdini arrived on Broadway with his 3 Shows in One at the 44th Street Theater. So Sally arranged a trip to see Houdini and even meet him backstage.

The exciting day was December 19, 1925, as you can read her column for that day:

It appears everyone had a great time, with Sally reporting the next day: "[Houdini] was wonderfully nice to the children backstage when we visited him in there before the show and made friends with them immediately."

And the best part of all this, there's a photo!

Click to enlarge.

Notice that Houdini is using his two large brass tubs to "produce" the children. It's commonly believed these tubs were used to fill his Water Torture Cell and/or Milk Can. But I'm now wondering if they were actually used as magic props in the 3 Shows in One? Or maybe this was just for the photo. Either-way, what a fabulous backstage moment to have captured in a pic.

Speaking of Houdini at the 44th Street Theater, here's a little gem that ran a few days later in the Daily News. Too good to not share.

Below are some more special shows (with unseen photos) that Houdini did for children.

Related:

• A new and greater hero has arisen
• Houdini's free show for Buffalo's newsies
• Houdini, orphans, and the egg bag