Thursday, June 8, 2023

Houdini's retirement plan

Houdini frequently announced his imminent retirement. This was especially true during the first decade of his success. It's possible Houdini might have considered retiring early. His work was strenuous. But I've always suspected these retirement announcements were more about drawing in an audience. See me now or never! (Reminds me of Penn & Teller's current tour billed as "The First Final UK Tour.")

Like I said, Houdini's retirement announcements tended to be from his earlier years. But here's one from 1923! This time it's much more specific and his retirement plan is pretty unexpected.

Seattle Union Record, March 10, 1923.

Needless to say, Houdini didn't retire. But this was his final appearance in Seattle and he did leave vaudeville in 1925. But that was to start his own full evening show.

I would love to know Houdini's mind at this point in time. Could he really have been considering opening "a children's theater of magic in New York"? He had toyed with the idea of opening a magic theater in New York in 1918 and did enjoy performing for children, so...

Speaking of Houdini and children, I recently shared on Patreon a photo I've never seen of Houdini performing for a group of children backstage at the New York Hippodrome on his last day in vaudeville. You can see it by clicking below:

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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 8, 2023 at 8:26 AM

    John, re: "I would love to know Houdini's mind at this point in time." I know someone to ask. Let me know if you want me to.

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  2. Leo HeviaJune 8, 2023 at 10:04 AM

    After the 1926 season, wasn't Harry planning a final world tour with his 3 in One show? Maybe take it to the Orient on that final tour?

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    1. John CoxJune 8, 2023 at 5:59 PM

      He was going to bring the 3 Shows in One to the UK in '27, but that's really all we know. Gibson said he planned to tour it for 10 years.

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    2. Leo HeviaJune 9, 2023 at 2:45 PM

      10 more years? That is interesting. I should have guessed he was headed to the UK. It was home away from home.

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  3. AnonymousJune 10, 2023 at 12:27 PM

    What new ideas he would have come up with! sadly we will never know

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    1. Leo HeviaJune 10, 2023 at 5:02 PM

      I think he would have kept performing into the 1940s like Hardeen did had he lived. Television started taking off in the 1950s. He would have been on TV in some form if he had made it that far. Harry would have never really retired from doing something with his life.

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  4. AnonymousJune 11, 2023 at 7:42 AM

    "But I've always suspected these retirement announcements were more about drawing in an audience."
    That is very possible and not an uncommon promotion M.O. I knew a publicist for the musical, "Evita" who told me they kept it playing in L.A. for an additional 2 years, by advertising it's, "soon closing" every 6 months. (then followed-up by, "Extended! Get your tickets now!")

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