Dr. Eric Colleary, who is organizing the exhibition, is also penning the companion book. Eric is currently back east doing research at major institutions, such as the Library of Congress, New York Public Library, and Harvard. As the Cline Curator of Theatre and Performing Arts at the Harry Ransom Center, Eric knows how to navigate large archives and has already unearthed treasures. We will all get to enjoy his discoveries in 2026!
You can read the details about Houdini's Library at the Harry Ransom Center.
Related:
Do we have any clue what Harry is doing in this photo?
ReplyDeleteYep! He's filming Terror Island on Catalina Island in Nov. 1919.
DeleteHe’s being fabulous that’s what he’s doing 😂
DeleteLove that photo from Pebbly Beach where the shipwreck scene was filmed.
DeleteI don’t remember that part. Is that part of Terror Island lost?
DeleteNo, you can see the shipwreck in the existing footage.
DeleteMaybe my ADHD brain just forgot about that part. Lol
DeleteAlso YAY new book!
ReplyDeleteA book that will be about books. And Houdini is the subject! The diary book is on its way. We're living in pretty good Houdini times right now.
ReplyDeleteMe: Couldn’t have become a fan of him at a better time! *does a happy dance*
DeleteWe may be entering a new Houdini Renaissance for the 100th anniversary of his death. The first signs of the 50th anniversary Renaissance started in 1974.
DeleteI’m even writing a fanfiction! And thinking about making a community for him on tumblr. He’s pretty popular on there which doesn’t surprise me. Heck… he’s in my comic Elsie! I couldn’t have become a fan at a better time!
DeleteWe’re getting pretty cloooose!
DeleteThe Houdini Renaissance of the 1970s was part of the magic revival led by Doug Henning, along with widespread public interest in the occult and psychic phenomena. Those other elements aren't here this time, so I think things will be quieter in 2026. But that's fine. He has his legion of fans like other historical people have theirs, and won't go away for a long time.
ReplyDeleteGood point. I don't see it being as big with the public as it was in '76, but I think it could be ever bigger among us magicos. I'm aware of at least seven new books that will be published by or during 2026, and that's not even counting my chronology books.
DeleteHonestly the magic boom happening in the 70s makes sense. Heck even Doug Henning was on The Muppet Show for crying out loud! It was Harry’s 100th birthday in 1974, some magicians were in those old McDonalds commercials. The whole hippie aftermath. New age stuff… correct me if I’m wrong because I’m only 21 but the 70s is one of my favorite decades! Aesthetically wise.
DeleteAbsolutely! This is a golden time for Houdini fans and scholars that will be here for the next two years. Seven Houdini books coming down the pipeline? That's a lot. Subtracting Eric's book and the diary book, there's five books I don't know about yet.
DeleteThe 70s really were a magical time: Henning, Houdini, strange mysteries like Bigfoot and aliens. The Exorcist, Jaws, Star Wars, and Close Encounters playing in theaters. Those were good times.
Disco and the great hair! I want hair like that! Not the feathered hair but the long hippie hair
DeleteThe weird magic castle movie from the 80s lol! I watched Night at the Magic Castle the other day. It was silly! 😂
ReplyDelete