As far as I know, the myth that Houdini died in his Water Torture Cell began with the 1953
Houdini biopic starring Tony Curtis. But the myth was carried forward by a public who didn't know any better, and by magicians who should. Below is what might be one of the first examples of the latter.
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Here we see someone billing themselves as "The New Houdini" performing "The Death Defying Act That Ultimately Took the Life of The Great Houdini." The poster artwork, showing two axe-wielding assistants hacking at the cell's glass, is actually pretty impressive. The performer himself is in the foreground with his feet up in stocks above what I think is the partially water-filled tank below.
I don't know anything about this performer, and I don't know anything more about this photo. In fact, I'm not even sure where I got it. (If this belongs to you, let me know, and I will credit it.) I'm also assuming this photo is post 1953. But if this pre-dates the Curtis movie...well, that would be very interesting.
Check out the links below for some other times the myth of Houdini's Water Torture Cell demise was presented as fact.
UPDATE: Looks like we have the answer as to who the performer was here.
Two thoughts here. One is that there are many magicians who don't study magic history, and who probably believed the biopic version of Houdini's death to have been accurate, and who might have regarded it as an interesting theme for magic presentation. Second, the clothes here look quite pre-1953 - especially the little boys in hats - which does make you wonder if this myth wasn't already making the rounds well before the movie was made - perhaps even inspiring the choice made by the screenwriters.
ReplyDeleteGood points Lisa. I also wondered about the clothes. They do look more '40s than '50s to me. But it likely the early '50s did still looked like the '40s, especially in some areas (I'm thinking how the '80s still pretty much looked like the '70s for the first few years). It would be wild to learn that this pre-dates the movie. But that would sure open a real mystery as to how and when the myth started.
DeleteI would hear this tale a least two or times a week that Houdini had died in the Water Torture Cell when I had my magic shop.
ReplyDeleteI believe it. But feel like things have now changed. I just don't hear it as much anymore. And when you mention it to a younger person, they have not idea what you are talking about. Heck, they don't even know who Tony Curtis was!
DeleteThe Great Newdini
ReplyDeleteHa! That's a better name. :)
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