Houdini's Atlantic City straitjacket escape

The Atlantic City Heritage Collections Archive has shared to their Facebook page this fantastic image of a lesser-known Houdini suspended straitjacket escape from the tower of Keith's Garden Pier Theater in Atlantic City on August 2, 1916. He was playing the sea-side theater this week. You can just spot his name in the doorway on the left.

New of the stunt was syndicated. Below is an account from the The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 3, 1916.

Below is a nice look at the Garden Pier theater, which was built in 1913. Houdini was playing some rare summer dates in 1916. He had just completed a run in Brighton Beach. You might recall that during this Atlantic City engagement he teased the idea of fighting a live shark.

Thanks to Jesse Leeds-Grant for this discovery and tip. And thank you to the Atlantic City Heritage Collections Archive at The Atlantic City Free Public Library for allowing me to share it here.

Related:

• Houdini's suspended straitjacket escapes
• A close call in Atlantic City
• Houdini's bizarre plan to fight a shark