Houdini miniseries2/17/2024 Was the Water Torture Cell Houdini's first major stage escape? Houdini did not really become a star in America until his return in 1905. There he captured the imagination of Europe. Houdini's fame came only after he was discovered by manager Martin Beck and traveled to England in 1900. The idea that Houdini was "the most famous man in America" by the turn of the century is wildly incorrect. in the late 1890s, but they did not bring him recognition beyond that city. Houdini performed handcuff and jail escapes in various cities across the U.S. (Read: Freaks of Octoberfest.)ĭid Houdini achieve fame after escaping from a "Johnson County" jail in 1896? Houdini quit the Wild Man when he got hit in the eye with a piece of meat thrown into his cage by Clint Newton, ringmaster of the Welsh Bros. Harry and Bess took on many side jobs during their travels with the circus. circus, it had nothing whatsoever to do with his magic or escape act. While Houdini did briefly appear as "Projea The Wild Man of Mexico" in the Welsh Bros. Besides, aren't brothels their own entertainment? (Read: Memories of "Dime Museum Harry".)ĭid Houdini perform escapes as The Wild Man from Borneo? While Harry and Bess performed in Dime Museums, Beer Halls, Circuses, and traveling Burlesque shows, there is no record of them ever performing in a brothel. Houdini worked to perfect his challenge handcuff act over several years, and may have gotten the idea from an Australian magician named Lewis Paul. (Read: Homeless Houdini.)ĭid Houdini create the challenge handcuff escape act in a brothel? However, it is true that his interest in magic was inspired by the autobiography of Robert-Houdin, and that he took his name from the famous French conjurer. This is a fiction seemingly lifted from a 1987 Disney movie called Young Harry Houdini. While it's true that Ehrich Weiss (the miniseries misspells it as Erich - grrrr) ran away from home when he was 12, he did not work with a traveling magician. (Read: Who was Houdini's father? New insights.)ĭid Houdini run away from home and work with a traveling magician? Some biographers doubt it as being too far fetched, but duels in Hungary were not unusual in the 1870s. The story of him having to flee Budapest after killing a man in a duel was told by all the Weiss children. It is true that Rabbi Weiss lost his job in Appleton for being too "old world" (he didn't speak English), and this plunged the family into poverty. Any suggestion of "daddy issues" is purely speculative. Also included is a history of the production, reviews, and rare photos of the real Houdini in action.Houdini spoke very highly of his father and honored him his entire life. But what was fact and what was fiction? Was Houdini really a spy? Did he have an affair with Lady Butler? In this illustrated primer, Houdini historian and blogger John Cox (takes up the challenge and separates Fact from Fiction in the HOUDINI miniseries. Written by Nicholas Meyer and starring Adrien Brody, it promised to tell the “cradle to grave” story of Houdini’s amazing career. In 2014 the HISTORY channel aired a new biopic about the world’s most famous magician and escape artist, Harry Houdini. I've also packed it with photos from the miniseries and some uncommon shots of the real Harry. broadcast (History) version and the Extended DVD (Lionsgate) version, as well as something entirely new a never before published history of the production with facts and behind-the-scenes images that you will not find anywhere online (what I show on page 9 is especially awesome). Fact Checking HOUDINI The Miniseries is a printed version of my popular Houdini miniseries "Fact Check" posts from last year. Today I'm excited to offer the first printed publication of the WILD ABOUT HARRY Press (yes, that's still a thing).
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