Houdini Magician-Escape Artist
Harry Houdini: The most famous magician of all
time.
Houdini's actual name was Ehrich Weiss.
Houdini's
actual birthplace and date.
The performer
known world wide as Harry Houdini was born on March 24, 1874 in Budapest.
Although Houdini often claimed to be born in Appleton, Wisconsin, Houdini
actually came to the United States when he was four years old. To this day many
connected with the small town of Appleton still claim the untruth that Houdini
was born there strictly to attract tourists. It is clear from copies of birth
records and early family records on file at the Houdini Museum in Scranton,
Pennsylvania in the Pocono region, that Houdini was in fact born in Budapest, on
March 24, 1874. Historians are now finally agreed on this fact. In later years,
in a magazine interview, Houdini said about Appleton, "the greatest escape I
ever made was when I left Appleton, Wisconsin."
Houdini's early
years.
Houdini's
father was Mayer Samuel Weiss. Houdini's father was a Rabbi. His father for a
short time was Rabbi for the German Zoin Jewish Congregation in Appleton. His
mother's name was Cecilia Steiner Weiss. Houdini's original family pictures are
on display at the Houdini Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania in the Pocono region.
His parents spoke only Yiddish, Hungarian, and German.The family was quite poor
so most of the children began to work at an early age. From the age of eight
young Ehrich Weiss (Erik Weisz) sold newspapers and worked as a shoe shine boy.
Please note that when coming ot the United States there were often many
spellings of names as people adjusted to English. At the age of 12, young Ehrich
left home to make his way in the world in an attempt to help support his family.
This was a great sign of independance. This is contrary to those who incorrectly
claim he was overly obsessed with his mother. However he did love her very much.
Houdini moves
to New York City at the age of 13.
Young Ehrich
traveled the country for about a year, always sending money home when he could.
Finally he joined up with his father in New York City. His father would die
about five years later on October 5, 1892, The move to New York would change his
life and introduce him to the world of big time magic. The family moved to New
York in the the hope of finding a better life there. In New York, Houdini worked
as a messenger and as a cutter in a garment center sweat shop, Richter & Sons, a
tie factory to help support his family. He was very athletic and won awards in
swimming and track. He would use this athletic and swimming talents to great use
in his future as an escape artist.
Houdini moves
to New York City at the age of 13.
Young Ehrich
traveled the country for about a year, always sending money home when he could.
Finally he joined up with his father in New York City. His father would die
about five years later on October 5, 1892, The move to New York would change his
life and introduce him to the world of big time magic. The family moved to New
York in the the hope of finding a better life there. In New York, Houdini worked
as a messenger and as a cutter in a garment center sweat shop, Richter & Sons, a
tie factory to help support his family. He was very athletic and won awards in
swimming and track. He would use this athletic and swimming talents to great use
in his future as an escape artist.
How Houdini
gets his name.
Houdini began
performing magic as a teenager first calling himself Eric the Great. Always a
reader, two books would change his life. He read, as a teen ager in New York,
"Revelations of a Spirit Meduim" by A. Medium, which exposed the tricks of phony
psychics, who after being tied up would secretly release themselves to make
ghostly things happen in darkened rooms. The second book was "The Memoirs of
Robert-Houdin," the autobiography of one of the greatest magicians of the day.
Influenced by what he read and learned about the internationally known magician
Robert Houdin, young Ehrich changed his name to Houdini, hoping to be in some
way like his new found mentor.
Houdini's early
shows.
Houdini's first
magic shows consisted of card tricks and other simple magic. Houdini early on
called himself "The King Of Cards."
Soon Houdini began experimenting with hand cuffs and using them in his acts.
Houdini performed with another young man who worked with him in the tie factory
in New York. They called themselves the Houdini Brothers. Soon Houdini's younger
brother Theo took the place of the boy from the factory. Houdini's father died
when Houdini was a teenager. Together with his brother Theo, they tried to
succeed as the Houdini Brothers. Their first performances included shows at
amusement parks, beer halls, "dime museums," and at the Chicago World's Fair in
1893.
Houdini meets
his life long love.
In 1894,
Houdini met Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner, who was singing and dancing as part of
the Floral Sisters. They were working Coney Island at the time.
After knowing
each other only two weeks they were married in the month of July. Bess, as she
was called, worked and traveled with Houdini and helped by singing, dancing, and
performing the Metamorphosis exchange which Houdini invented.
Bess took Theo's place in the act that would now be called "The Houdini's".
He then travels throughout the United States and then the world for the next
thirty three years. Needless to say he leaves mom behind again proving his
independence from his mother, though he did love her greatly. His early travels
take him to North East Pennsylvania where the Houdini Museum is now located, for
2 seasons with the Welch Brothers Circus which traveled throughout Northeast
Pennsylvania. He would return in later years to the Scranton area as a major
star, and present several unique challenges. His brother Hardeen would also
appear in the area as well.
Houdini invents
the challenge escape act. The concept of the escape artist is born.
Houdini began
offering rewards to anyone who could successfully restrain him, first in
handcuffs and later in all manner of objects. Houdini escaped from handcuffs,
leg irons, straightjackets, jails and prison cells, a mail pouch, packing
crates, a giant paper bag (without tearing the paper), a giant football, an iron
boiler, milk cans, coffins, and the famousWater Torture Cell. In most of these
escapes, upon later examination, there was never a sign of how Houdini
accomplished the release, that added to the miracle. Some of Houdini's escapes,
such as the Straight Jacket or being tied with a hundred feet of rope, Houdini
would do in full view of the audience. To help draw crowds and sell tickets,
Houdini would do escape challenges, often at police stations with newspaper
reporters present, assuring a headline story.
Houdini is
discovered.
Martin Beck,
Vaudeville's most important booking agent caught Houdini's act in 1899 and was
impressed with his dynamic personality and booked him as a "challenge escape
artist," a new form of entertainment. Martin Beck booked the Orpheum circuit,
the largest chain of vaudeville theaters in the country and booked all of the
stars of vaudeville. He had a trained eye for talent. He immediately placed
Houdini in big time vaudeville as a supporting act. Houdini soon began to
headline in several theaters throughout the country. Houdini having invented a
new form of entertainment, "The Challenge Escape" soon would become an
international star.
Houdini as
"King of Handcuffs" goes to Europe at the age of 26.
After some
success in the United States Houdini decided to go to Europe in the year 1900,
on the advice of a friend, the greatest coin magician of all time, T. Nelson
Downs. Houdini created a sensation in London, England and went on to travel
throughout Europe for five years as a headliner. Houdini had so much work in
Europe that he summoned his brother Theo to work there under the name Hardeen.
Houdini having
invented a new form of entertainment, "The Challenge Escape" soon would become
an international star. Houdini as "King of Handcuffs" goes to Europe at the age
of 26.
After some
success in the United States Houdini decided to go to Europe in the year 1900,
on the advice of a friend, the greatest coin magician of all time, T. Nelson
Downs. Houdini created a sensation in London, England and went on to travel
throughout Europe for five years as a headliner. Houdini had so much work in
Europe that he summoned his brother Theo to work there under the name Hardeen.
Houdini's fame
continues to grow throughout the world.
Houdini
returned to the United States, determined to become an even bigger star in the
country he loved. He would cris-cross between Europe and the United States going
where he could get the biggest offers. On one trip here he purchased a building
in New York City on 113th Street that was to become his residence for the rest
of his life. As escape artist imitators poped up to take advantage of Houdini's
tremendous success, Houdini began to originate new and more difficult and
dangerous escapes. Houdini invented the underwater packing box escape as a
fabulous publicty stunt that was copied by many others. He was the first person
to do the Straight Jacket Escape as well. He introduced the sensational Milk Can
Escape in St. Louis on January 27, 1908.
He was a pioneer aviator, a fact not well known,
and was the first person on record to fly a plane in Austrailia a feat he
accomplished at Digger's Rest in 1910. Some claim he was one of the first 17
record breaking aviators of the day. After those series of flights he would
never fly again. In 1913 he introduced his legendary Chinese Water Torture Cell.
This was the
same year his mother died which was a great shock to Houdini. He was in Europe
at them time and his family had not told of his mother's illness.
In 1913 he
introduced his legendary Chinese Water Torture Cell.
This was the
same year his mother died which was a great shock, as he was in Europe and not
told of his mother's illness. He was also the first to do the largest stage
illusion to that day, making the largest object known at the time - an elephant
disappear. This was done in 1918 at the Hippodrome in New York City. According
to Houdini the elephant Jenny, weighed 10,000 pounds. Houdini was very creative
and introduced and invented many magic tricks that are depicted at the Houdini
Museum in the Scranton, Pennsylvania Pocono region. After escaping underwater
Houdini would often hide under a dock forcing people to think Houdini might have
drowned. At the opportune moment Houidni would make his reappearance. Houdini
had great strength and agility that he used in accomplishing his stunts. Houdini
also spent many hours studying, practicing and conditioning. For Houdini's
underwater stunts, Houdini would practice holding his breath in the bathtub for
up to four minutes. He also stayed in an underwater "coffin" for over an hour.
Houdini's film
career.
In 1916 Houdini
began a film career. This gave people all over the world a chance to see the
great artist. Houdini made five major silent films up until1923. He is the only
magician in history to have starred in 5 films. He also wrote several of them.
His films include "The Master Mystery," "The Grim Game," "Terror Island" and
"The Man From Beyond." Houdini was given one of the first stars on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame for his contribution to the film industry. The star is in a
prominent spot out side of Hollywood's famous Chinese Theater. Houdini was the
first magician to be so honored. Houdini is the only magician in history to make
five feature films, and the only one to have a full length feature film made
about his life story. Houdini wrote and even directed several of his movies. Had
Houdini lived longer he would have probably made more films, possibly a talking
movie, as they were just coming into prominence. Houdini's film "The Man From
Beyond," as well as"Terror Island"
is on constant
view at the Houdini Museum in the Scranton, Pennsylvania Pocono region. Both are
also available from the museum.
Houdini hated
cheats and frauds.
Throughout his
career Houdini exposed cheats and frauds in the areas of gambling, spiritualism,
and psychic frauds. Houdini never believed in spiritualism, but would often
pretend to in order to gain entry to seances, etc. Early on he attempted to do a
spiritualist act when he was down and out, but found it so distasteful that he
stopped and would forever expose those who made such claims.
Houdini would write many books and articles
throughout his life. Theyh included "The Right Way To Do Wrong," an expose of
swindlers, "A Magician Among The Spirits," an expose of psychic frauds, and "The
Unmasking of Robert-Houdin," which was up until that time the greatest book on
the history of magic.
Death to
Legend.
On October 22,
1926, Houdini was in Montreal performing at the Princess Theater. Houdini also
gave a lecture exposing spiritualism at McGill University. In his dressing room
at the theater, while lying on a couch backstage, an young athlete from McGill
University, asked if Houdini could actually withstand punches to the stomach as
he had heard. Before Houdini could prepare himself by tightening his stomach
muscles, the student began to punch the legendary magician in the mid section.
Houdini did not know it, but his appendix was ruptured. Houdini did several more
shows in Montreal and then headed for Detroit. Houdini did one performance there
and then collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Houdini did not die in an
escape or fail in some final escape as many believe. The greatest "ghost buster"
of all time died on October 31, 1926, Halloween of peritonitis ( an inflamation
(-itis) of the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity), a kind of
internal Gangrene. Houdini loved his fellow magicians and promoted magic and the
Society of Americian Magicians all over the world. Houdini was its president for
some ten years until the day he died. He also left quite a bit of money for the
Society of American Magicians in his will (we have a copy in our collection at
the museum). He had the crest of the Society of American Magicians on his
gravesite. He also throughout his life paid for the repair of famous magicians
around the world whose graves were in disrepair. No other famous magician worked
as hard as Houdini to promote his craft and those around him. Houdini today is
one of the best know performers and promoters in theatrical and film history and
Houidni's name has come to mean the ability to escape from any restraint or
difficult situation. He always insisted that all he did was by natural means,
and that he had no supernatural powers of any kind. One of his last inventions
was to escape after being buried alive, a stunt he did very few times. For some
twenty six years Houdini was a major headliner. Houdini not only earned a place
in history but in the dictionary as well.
This was the
same year his mother died which was a great shock, as he was in Europe and not
told of his mother's illness. He was also the first to do the largest stage
illusion to that day, making the largest object known at the time - an elephant
disappear. This was done in 1918 at the Hippodrome in New York City. According
to Houdini the elephant Jenny, weighed 10,000 pounds. Houdini was very creative
and introduced and invented many magic tricks that are depicted at the Houdini
Museum in the Scranton, Pennsylvania Pocono region. After escaping underwater
Houdini would often hide under a dock forcing people to think Houdini might have
drowned. At the opportune moment Houidni would make his reappearance. Houdini
had great strength and agility that he used in accomplishing his stunts. Houdini
also spent many hours studying, practicing and conditioning. For Houdini's
underwater stunts, Houdini would practice holding his breath in the bathtub for
up to four minutes. He also stayed in an underwater "coffin" for over an hour.
Houdini's film
career.
In 1916 Houdini
began a film career. This gave people all over the world a chance to see the
great artist. Houdini made five major silent films up until1923. He is the only
magician in history to have starred in 5 films. He also wrote several of them.
His films include "The Master Mystery," "The Grim Game," "Terror Island" and
"The Man From Beyond." Houdini was given one of the first stars on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame for his contribution to the film industry. The star is in a
prominent spot out side of Hollywood's famous Chinese Theater. Houdini was the
first magician to be so honored. Houdini is the only magician in history to make
five feature films, and the only one to have a full length feature film made
about his life story. Houdini wrote and even directed several of his movies. Had
Houdini lived longer he would have probably made more films, possibly a talking
movie, as they were just coming into prominence. Houdini's film "The Man From
Beyond," as well as"Terror Island"
Houdini hated
cheats and frauds.
Throughout his
career Houdini exposed cheats and frauds in the areas of gambling, spiritualism,
and psychic frauds. Houdini never believed in spiritualism, but would often
pretend to in order to gain entry to seances, etc. Early on he attempted to do a
spiritualist act when he was down and out, but found it so distasteful that he
stopped and would forever expose those who made such claims.
Houdini would write many books and articles
throughout his life. Theyh included "The Right Way To Do Wrong," an expose of
swindlers, "A Magician Among The Spirits," an expose of psychic frauds, and "The
Unmasking of Robert-Houdin," which was up until that time the greatest book on
the history of magic.
Death to
Legend.
On October 22,
1926, Houdini was in Montreal performing at the Princess Theater. Houdini also
gave a lecture exposing spiritualism at McGill University. In his dressing room
at the theater, while lying on a couch backstage, an young athlete from McGill
University, asked if Houdini could actually withstand punches to the stomach as
he had heard. Before Houdini could prepare himself by tightening his stomach
muscles, the student began to punch the legendary magician in the mid section.
Houdini did not know it, but his appendix was ruptured. Houdini did several more
shows in Montreal and then headed for Detroit. Houdini did one performance there
and then collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Houdini did not die in an
escape or fail in some final escape as many believe. The greatest "ghost buster"
of all time died on October 31, 1926, Halloween of peritonitis ( an inflamation
(-itis) of the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity), a kind of
internal Gangrene. Houdini loved his fellow magicians and promoted magic and the
Society of Americian Magicians all over the world. Houdini was its president for
some ten years until the day he died. He also left quite a bit of money for the
Society of American Magicians in his will (we have a copy in our collection at
the museum). He had the crest of the Society of American Magicians on his
gravesite. He also throughout his life paid for the repair of famous magicians
around the world whose graves were in disrepair. No other famous magician worked
as hard as Houdini to promote his craft and those around him. Houdini today is
one of the best know performers and promoters in theatrical and film history and
Houidni's name has come to mean the ability to escape from any restraint or
difficult situation. He always insisted that all he did was by natural means,
and that he had no supernatural powers of any kind. One of his last inventions
was to escape after being buried alive, a stunt he did very few times. For some
twenty six years Houdini was a major headliner. Houdini not only earned a place
in history but in the dictionary as well.
HARRY
HOUDINI
Master Magician
A study of a master's childhood and how it affected his adulthood
Magic, escapes,
fame and fortune: this is what comes to mind when think of Harry Houdini.
Houdini was a master magician as well as a superb escape artist. Houdini was so
obsessed that no matter what got in his way whether it was his parents, or
anything that was crowding the view of his goal, he pushed it aside. Many things
got in his way but he was so focused, so determined to be what he wanted to be,
that he finally achieved his goal. He was rejected by the general public early
in his career. Harry Houdini struggled hard throughout his life to achieve his
fame and fortune. This struggle began as a child. Houdini obviously did not give
up on his career but something carried him. It might have been something that he
realized as an adult or it could be some quality that was instilled in him as a
child. We wanted to find out so, we examined this and we would like to show you
what we found and give you the conclusion we came to.
Ehnric Weiss
(Houdini) loved magic and escapes since childhood. Houdini loved to go to the
circus because the circus taught him everything he wanted to know about magic,
magic tricks and knot tieing. Within a few days, he joined that same circus. In
this circus he would astound people with his magic tricks. But to the people
watching Houdini's tricks ,they were more than just tricks. They were no less
than true magic. Magic was not all he learned for he was taught to walk the
tightrope. But to Houdini, the tightrope was nothing, for magic and escapes were
his one and only love. Houdini yearned to leave home and join a large circus to
practice his magic and escapes, but his family was poor and needed his support
more than he ever knew. Since Houdini's family was so poor he felt it his duty
to give them as much as he could financially and mentally. But, magic was his
main focus and, if he could use that to support his family and himself then that
was great but if not, so be it. The circus was no longer an ambition but
becoming a full time magician and escape artist was. He reasoned that if he was
good enough he would be able to support his family by sending them hundred
dollar bills instead of one's. He put all of the spare money that he earned into
magic tricks.
Ehnric became a
full time magician. He traveled around the states putting on shows from
Washington to Wisconsin. Unfortunately he didn't hit it off. People couldn't
care less about a Jewish magician! That's not what they wanted so, he wasn't an
immediate success. Many times he was at rock bottom living on little more than a
few dollars, no assets or means of living. He felt as if he let his family down
because he could not send them money in those times. He also felt like he left
himself down. Houdini's dream began to die. Then he started to focus on escapes.
Once Houdini did this his career-sky- rocketed because this was the exciting
thing people wanted to see. He flew to Europe and made the headlines escaping
from many things such as Scotland Yard. He challenged people and jails to lock
him up and keep him there. As we all know by now he would escape.
Houdini's
childhood influenced his adult success as an adult. He was committed to stick to
magic and escapes no matter what opinions he got from his parents or how little
money he had. Many times they told him not to keep playing with magic. They told
him that his dreams were unrealistic. But he kept going! His obsession and
commitment is what got him to the top. His first attempts were an absolute flop
but he kept going. His life was like a basketball game. Many times it looks like
the game is over, your clock is running down, your team is tired and there is no
hope left. But, you expend your last bit of energy and you prevail, the shot
goes in. Then, you get to start over in the sense of an overtime. You pull
yourself together and if you win, you become a success. If you lose, you still
have pride because you know you tried. Houdini ended up winning the game of
life. Just like basketball it was passion, commitment and a will to win is what
kept him going!
We believe
Houdini's commitment was exemplary. He was always committed to his work some of
the time giving up his own free time. He displayed the quality of commitment
from childhood all the way through adulthood. Because of his never-say-die
attitude, Houdini's career was a success. We believe that without this attitude
and his commitment, that the Harry Houdini we know of now would not be the same.
He would just be another escape wanna-be or a never-was or maybe titled, a
failure. But Harry was not deemed a failure of a wanna-be but a success and his
commitment as a child helped lead to his success. A success that could only be
contemplated by people like us.
Harry Houdini was
a very interesting man. He devoted his whole life to magic and escapes.
Houdini's commitment amazes us all and is what led to his success. But this
quality was achieved as a child. There are few people who are capable of
demonstrating such commitment. This commitment started as a child and was with
him until his death. He, "refused to loose," and this was a form of commitment.
His career was a success because of an outstanding example of commitment.
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