How Margery Outdid Houdini

Yes, believe it or not, Margery the Medium did outdo Houdini, but not in the way you might be thinking. Houdini died on Halloween Oct 31, 1926 at the age of 52. It turns out that Margery lived to be one year and one day longer in age. Let me explain. She died on November 1st, 1941, she was 53. So that makes her one year older than Houdini was when he died and she stayed around one extra day, dying on the day after Halloween ( I'm taking a bit of artistic license with the math)

Margery is an interesting character. I'm still waiting on the book Witch of Lime Street, that John Cox first let us all know about.  There is something terribly fishy going on between her and Houdini, in my opinion and I'd like to find out more.

Now if you'd like to hear about Margery from the side of the Spiritualists, below are two videos of Leonard Spicer, a Canadian Medium who is lecturing on Margery. Houdini-files will recognize the errors in statements, though there aren't many. I'm not agreeing with this fellow, I just thought you might enjoy hearing what the other side says about Margery.

To read more about Margery, take a look at my previous blogs:
Margery and the Bell Box(s)
Houdini Didn't End Margery's Career
Margery-medium-Cemetery

The Annual Halloween Event - HOUDINI

 Every Halloween I make sure to watch the one movie that got me interested in magic to start with, HOUDINI starring Tony Curtis & Janet Leigh. It's a highly fictionalized version of his life, but it's a fun movie and for whatever reason gets me re-energized. So in a few minutes, I'll be watching it on DVD.

But for those Houdini fans that would like one last dose of the real Houdini before Halloween is over for another year, here is a treat. The Master Mystery starring Houdini! I found it on Youtube and it's broken up into 20 parts, so you can watch it all at once or watch an episode a night if you prefer. Any way you decide to do it, enjoy!

Hollywood Magic Castle FIRE

News travels so fast on the internet. Reports started coming in about 30 minutes ago that the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood was on fire. The fire/smoke was coming from the attic it was reported. The video below was shot from someones cell phone camera of the fireman working on the fire. There is certainly a lot of smoke, and let's hope not much fire. The link below is a report that the blaze is contained and hopefully by now the fire is out.

Let's also hope that no one was injured and there is no damage to the rest of the building. My hope and prayers go out to the folks at the Castle. I hope everything is ok.


http://www.scpr.org/news/2011/10/31/29644/magic-castle-fire/

Houdini Dies

I posted this at exactly 1:26 p.m. on Halloween, October 31. It's 85 years since Houdini passed away.  He was famous in his day as an escape artist, magician, illusionist, movie star, scientific investigator, spirit debunker, author, President of the SAM and much more. But even with all these titles under his belt, he was missing one, legend.

His death and the years followed gave him that title. He has become such a legendary figure that often lay people don't realize that Houdini was a real person. There have been numerous movies about him, but usually they are highly fictionalized which is a shame because his real life story is so fantastic it doesn't really need beefing up.

Houdini was only 52 when he died, but by then he had already accomplished more than most people do in a life time. In his day he inspired people with his feats of escape and marvelous wonders, and 85 years later, he still serves as an inspiration. Though he may be gone physically, the Spirit of Houdini will live on forever!

More on Houdini's death:

• http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2011/10/85-years-ago-today.html

• Smithsonian.com

• http://www.digtriad.com/news/entertainment/article/196329/204/Today-In-Entertainment-History--October-31

• http://www.globalnews.ca/today+in+history/6442511418/story.html

Houdini Seance Manifestations

Harry Houdini died on Halloween, October 31, 1926. Ever since his death people have been trying to make contact with him. He apparently made a pact with several people, including his wife Bess and illusionist Charles Carter, that if he returned he would reveal a code to let them know it was him.

According to some of those attending Houdini Seances over the past 85 years, the original King of Magic has returned. Though he only revealed a code, once apparently. Here are some of the highlights of past seances.

• In 1928, Reverend Arthur Ford came forth with a message for Bess Houdini, from Cecelia Weiss, one word, 'FORGIVE'.

• January 8,1929 Reverend Ford produced, exactly, the secret code that Bess and Houdini had agreed upon. "Rosabelle, Answer, Tell, Pray, Answer, look, Tell, Answer, Answer, Tell" Houdini then speaks through Ford's spirit guide Fletcher and says "Tell the world Sweetheart that Harry Houdini Lives and will prove it a thousand times!"**

• In Chicago, in the 1930s, during a seance, Houdini walked boldly into a room*

• In Kansas City, Houdini is said to have written a long letter to Mrs. Houdini*

• In Long Beach, Houdini apparently hypnotized the medium and then delivered a message through her*

• In New Zealand, the spirit Houdini drank a cup of tea*

• In Santa Monica, the spirit Houdini escaped from several pair of handcuffs by dematerializing his hands*

• Following the Final Houdini Seance in 1936,  there was a sudden thunderstorm which drenched everyone on the roof of the Hollywood Knickerbocker Hotel where the seance took place. The storm shower only hit the hotel and no where else. Some believe the thunderstorm was a Houdini manifestation.

• At a later seance in Houdini's home on 278, W 113th St in New York, Dr. Morris Young said he saw a mouse suddenly burst across the floor during a seance and wondered, 'was that Houdini'?

• Who can forget Charlotte Pendragon's costume coming apart on LIVE TV during The Search for Houdini TV Special. Could that have been Houdini just having some fun????!!!!

• At one of the Official Houdini Seances produced by Sid Radner, in Niagra Falls Canada, a planter and a book written by Walter Gibson fell off the shelf. The book was opened to a page which had a picture of Houdini's poster 'Do Spirits Return' (see below). Walter Gibson was present at that seance too.

• In 1994, in NYC, medium Paula Roberts said she could hear 'a laugh, almost a gutteral laugh' coming from Houdini in the spirit world.

• In 1998 in Austin Texas, Johnathon Schaech, an actor who played Houdini in a movie, had a unique encounter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuBw_e1mB-8

• 2011 The spirit of Houdini apparently enters the body of medium Kandisa “K.C.” Calhoun

If you have a 'Houdini Ghost Story or Seance Story' please share it!!!


*According to Edward Saint during the Final Houdini Seance
**Bess later recanted. It was discovered the code had been written in a book the year previous and that is how Ford got the code. But Ford, till his dieing day always said it was legitimate. 

Who Was Henry Ridgely Evans?

H. Ridgely Evans

Henry Ridgely Evans is a name I have come across many times over the years. I never knew who he was really, but I always recognized the name. While doing research on another magician earlier in the year I discovered that Evans lived and worked in Washington D.C.. Because this is essentially the area where I live, I decided to see what else I could find out about him.

H. Ridgely Evans was born in Pennsylvania in 1861.  Though born in Penn. it seems he was raised in Georgetown and Washington D.C.. He came from a large family of six other siblings.

In 1878, according to Evans himself, he attended a performance at the Old National Theatre presented by Robert Heller. This performance so captivated the young man that he instantly became enthralled with magic. Or as we say in the profession, 'he was bitten by the bug'. A few months later in March of 1879, Evans sat in the audience at Ford's Theatre for the first appearance of Harry Kellar in the Nation's Capital.

H. Ridgely Evans eventually went to school intending to become a lawyer, but at some point changed professions and became a journalist. His ability to write and record the news was certainly a benefit to us in the magic profession. Evans became  one of our early magic historians before that kind of thing became popular. He was a prolific writer of both books on magic and magazine articles. His most famous book is probably 'The Old and the New Magic' which was published in 1906. But he also wrote none magic books. I've discovered there is a much sought after book called 'Old Georgetown On The Potomac' that he wrote in 1933. There is a copy available right now on Amazon.com for $1,245.00.

In 1892, he married a woman named Florence. They had no children and lived at 1430 V St. NW. This was in 1900. Later in 1930, he and Florence were again living in DC and this time in an apartment building on Eye St. NW. I can find no record of Henry living in Baltimore, at least prior to 1930, though some sources claim he worked for a number of Baltimore Newspapers.

When Harry Kellar was touring with Paul Valendon, it was H. Ridgely Evans who wrote an article for Stanyon's MAGIC that said his prediction for the successor to Kellar would be THURSTON! Imagine that. Valendon was still touring with Kellar and here Evans throws his vote towards Thurston, who as far as we know wasn't even in the running. History proved Evans correct as Thurston indeed was the successor.

Houdini had an interesting connection to Evans. In the Christopher biography 'Houdini-The Untold Story' it describes an incident where Houdini slams Evans in The Conjurers Monthly Magazine for his new book 'The Old and the New Magic'. Apparently, Evans reprinted a description or expose on how the handcuff escape was done and it more than irked Houdini. But on page 210, of the HOUDINI!!! biography by Kenneth Silverman, he describes Houdini as having compiled a history of magic that he called "History Makers in the World of Magic" and gave it to Evans who was writing a similar book. I suppose this was to be a combined project as Houdini remained involved in the editing part of the book. This event would have taken place around 1916-1917. I don't honestly know if it was published.
The next magic history book that Evans published was 'The History of Conjuring and Magic' which he published in 1928. The book does not include Houdini's name as a co-author. A side note, David Price who wrote 'MAGIC-A Pictorial History of Conjurers in the Theatre' refers often to Evans's writings.

It appears that Evans remained a hobbyist performer but was clearly a professional magic historian. I'm not clear on the cause of death. Magicpedia says that H. Ridgely Evans died at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore on March 29th, 1949. I discovered that he was buried in Washington D.C. at the Oakhill Cemetery recently so tomorrow I'll be heading over to the cemetery to take some photos. Once I get the grave picture I'll post it over at my  http://deadconjurers.blogspot.com

One additional note, Todd Karr's Miracle Factory has put out a CD containing all the writings of Henry Ridgely Evans. That can be purchased at http://miraclefactory.net/zenstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=&products_id=42

Mysteries of the Houdini Grave

We are fast approaching another anniversary (Oct 31) of the death of Harry Houdini. I thought I'd take some time and share with you some information about his grave site. His grave has been in the news quite a bit recently due to the wonderful work of the Houdini Museum in Scranton PA. They have taken it upon themselves to restore the Houdini bust to the grave site.

Let's take a trip back in time. It's 1885 and Houdini's half brother Armin/Herman died of turberculosis. Young Erich offered up his entire life's savings ($10) towards his half brothers funeral. Herman had a typical shaped tombstone with a rounded top. Seven years later, Houdini's father dies in 1892 and is buried next to Herman in the Machpelah Cemetery in Queens NY. The father was given a tall pillar shaped tombstone as can be seen in the photo. Between the Weiss grave and the tree on the right is Herman's tombstone.

In 1913, Houdini's mother Cecelia Weiss passes away. Those familiar with the Houdini story know how this affected him and altered the course of his life. Cecelia was buried in this plot also. Cecelia's name was added to the large pillar like tombstone.

Houdini though was devastated. He visited the grave often and eventually came upon an idea of buying a larger family plot and erecting a monument to the family. This was called the 'exedra' which means resting place. The design however was done by a friend of Houdini's Oscar Teale.

Oscar Teale was an architect by trade. But he was also an amateur magician. He served as the fourth President of the Society of American Magicians and wrote a book called 'Higher Magic'. It's said that Oscar Teale was also Houdini's Ghost writer on a number of project including the tome 'A Magician Among the Spirits'. He designed the exedra for Houdini. The finale cost of the monument was $40,000.00. It was installed at Machpelah Cemetery on October 1st 1916.

One interesting addition to the exedra was the inclusion on each side of the monument of part of the original Weiss Grave. On the far left is the gravestone face for Cecelia Weiss. On the far right is the gravestone face for his father Mayer Samuel Weiss.

Another unique feature is the emblem of the Society of American Magicians which is in the center of the monument just below the bust of Houdini. Harry Houdini served as President of the Society for several years and was the current president when he died in 1926. I can't help but wonder if the emblem was added after Houdini's death. It wouldn't make sense to have it on there in 1916 when the monument was erected. There is one photo in the Silverman Houdini book which shows Houdini sitting on the exedra as it was being built. No circular hole is there for the emblem. So it likely was added later.


Houdini had his family moved to the new site and made arrangements for the rest of his family to be buried there upon their individual deaths. The only spouse however that was accorded a grave was Bess Houdini. Her name was added to Houdini's gravestone, but truth be told she is not there. Because Bess was Catholic and Machepelah was a Jewish cemetery, she was buried elsewhere.

Houdini did not want his brother Leopold buried there because of the personal feud they were having. Houdini felt that Leopold disgraced the family by marrying his brother Nathan's ex-wife on a few days after they divorced. But apparently, Leopold is there, though his gravestone is not. Houdini's sister Gladys is also buried there but her gravestone is missing as well. Those two stones were taken out to be repaired and have never been returned.

There are 9 Weiss's buried in that family plot; Mayer Samuel (1829-1892), Cecelia (1841-1913), Herman (1863-1885), Willie (1872-1925), HOUDINI (1874-1926), Nathan (1870-1927), Theo/Dash Hardeen (1876-1945), C. Gladys Weiss (sister) and finally Dr. Leopold Weiss.

But there is a tenth person buried in the cemetery that never is mentioned. Perhaps people have forgotten about her. Hannah Steiner, Cecelia's mother is buried there. Houdini had her disinterred and then placed next to Cecelia sometime between 1913-1916 as a 'birthday gift' to his mother. Strange, sure, but this was Houdini. There is a gravestone there which reads Grandmother 1821-1887. This was Houdini's grandmother, his Mom's mother. She is between one of the marble benches and Herman's grave.


Houdini paid for perpetual care of his family plot but the care stopped a long time ago. The SAM Parent Assembly #1 was originally taxed with the duty of taking care of the plot or paying for it's upkeep. But for reasons which remain 'cloudy', the Parent Assembly has not paid for upkeep in a very long time and has a strenuous relationship with David Jacobson who takes care of the cemetery. However, others, like the Houdini Museum, have recently contributed greatly to the gravesite and are responsible for the restoration of the bust which now adorns the site once again.  I do have a fear that Machpelah may end up like Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, some day, and the magic community owes to the memory of the greatest magician of all time to care for his grave.

For those of you interested in a short guided video tour of the grave site, please visit the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LUjyyFyqvG8
This video is from John Cox the man responsible for the incredible site WildaboutHoudini.com. Please watch the video because John shows the back of the exedra which is rarely seen. Enjoy!

Houdini Grave Today

Malini in Washington D.C.

Max Malini was an amazing individual. He didn't perform grand illusions, or spectacular escapes. He was not a great manipulator, nor was he a mind reader or comedy performer. His props were items you could find anywhere. His cups and balls trick was done with drinking glasses wrapped in newspaper and a cut up piece of wine cork used in place of the balls. Everything seemed so ordinary. Yet in it's simplicity, Malini used these things to become a world traveling magician who performed for Royalty and Heads of State.

Malini first appears in Washington D.C. in January of 1902. Upon the steps of the US Capital building, Malini encountered Senator Hanna. The brazen magician reached forward and bit off a button from Hanna's jacket. Before the stunned Senator could react, Malini apologized and magically restored the button back to the jacket. This stunt so impressed the Senator, that he invited Malini to perform at his home for some invited guests.

Senate Marble Room

According to a March 3, 1902 article in the Washington Times Newspaper, Malini next showed up in the Marble Room of the Capital Building. The Senators were so excited to see Malini they encouraged him to put on a show. The Marble Room became Malini's  own impromptu theater. One congressman threw an orange to Malini requesting he do something with it. Malini instantly changed the orange into a lemon. Next, a card was selected by another congressman and Max instructed the gentlemen to tear up the card keeping one piece for himself. The other pieces vanished and Max Malini told the congressmen to go into the next room, find a particular book and turn to a certain page. The congressman did exactly this and found his restored card in the page, minus the one piece.

Malini finished his performance with his signature Card Stabbing routine where four cards were chosen and lost in the deck. Malini would be blindfolded and then using a pen knife, would stab at the backs of the cards and locate the selected playing cards. This impromptu show garnered Malini several newspaper articles. One was a full page spread that would make even Houdini jealous.

Washington D.C. seemed to be an ideal place for Malini to work as he came here often. In 1922, he performed at a public reception at the White House. This time he bit off a button from the coat of none other than President Warren Harding. According to the Malini biography by Dai Vernon, following this performance Malini received a front page article in one of the Washington D.C. papers.

I did find other places besides the Capital building and the White House where Malini performed. The Roosevelt Hotel 2101 16th St NW Washington. The hotel has since been converted into apartments, but below is a photo of the location today. When Malini performed there he used one of the banquet rooms to put on his show and would sell tickets. He apparently also performed at many of the clubs and guilds in the area as well. No doubt he used these to gain access to high society individuals and quickly established a name for himself. Another location was the Willard Hotel 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest  Washington, DC..

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that one of the newspaper articles discusses an unusual trick where Malini had a card selected and lost in a deck of cards. When he tried to find it he was unable. So he told the congressman to check his pockets but there was no card. Then he suggested he check inside the lining of the jacket, and lo and behold, there was the card, inside the lining of the jacket! I wanted to point this out because this very effect was mentioned in the Malini Book, but not as the finished effect, instead HOW he got the card there. Fascinating character.

Location of Roosevelt Hotel, today they are apartments.
 

Living Magic History

One of the most influential people in my life magic wise is Denny Haney of Denny's Magic Studio in Baltimore. I'll be the first to tell you, I used to spend hours and hours there, but that was years ago. In fact, it's been several years since I've been there (the problem with being a full time magician, you're always on the go). Anyway, I received the following email from Denny as part of his email/newsletters that he sent out. Pretty much every word out of his mouth is gold and this letter really says it all. There is so much wisdom layered throughout this letter its amazing. I didn't ask his permission to post this, but I have a feeling he won't mind. Below is ALL DENNY.

DID I EVER SAY “THANK YOU?”

Actually, I do it all the time.

If may have noticed that every invoice sent along with your orders has a personal “Thank You” written across the bottom and signed by myself. Yes, I do it almost automatically BUT, I do mean it.
When I decided to leave the road twenty years ago and open a REAL magic shop, many of you have been supporters of this magic studio right from the beginning. I know who you are.

A few months ago, I was awarded the “Milbourne Christopher Foundation MASTERS Award” at the S.A.M. Convention in Pittsburgh. This was quite a thrill for me as it is NOT a competition award. When your peers make a decision that you have made a significant contribution to the art of magic and to fellow magicians and you have become a “master” of your craft, then this award is presented.

The photo shows my good friend William Rauscher presenting the award to me at the S.A.M. Banquet.
It was truly and honor and my acceptance speech was cut a bit short by my emotion that swelled up in me and caused me to break up a bit.

I love this art of magic and just go through my life entertaining and trying to help those who want to entertain. It was nice to have someone notice. You MUST love your art first. Any rewards that come your way, either financially or spiritually, come from the love of the art. The art is ALWAYS first.

It just reminded me that the true art of magic has taken a bit of a downward spiral during the past years. It's not that there is less interest in magic. I really believe that there are more people interested in magic today than ever before in history. I should rephrase that….there are more people interested in DOING TRICKS than ever before. There is a lack of interest in things like the history of magic or the theory of presenting it correctly and yet I find these two subjects the most fascinating of the art. I continue to study these even today.

With the invention of the internet, there are literally thousands of on line sites where you can order magic tricks. Most of these sites exist ONLY on the internet. They are not real shops, nor are they owned or operated by a professional performer. They are just a place to buy things. They are warehouses, drop shippers or, even worse, the bedroom or basement of someone who owns a computer. Of course, this is true in almost any business today. I can only say this…”Get to know your dealer.”

Personally, long before I opened a magic shop, I always went to the most “experienced” to buy the things I needed or wanted. I went to old hardware stores, real clothiers, sound and lights companies, etc. To me, the most important thing was to buy from the guy who KNEW his trade. I would never buy tools or hardware from a man who cannot build. I would never buy a camera from someone who was not a photographer. I would never buy a suit from someone who does not know how to make them. The list goes on and on.

Today we go to the internet and buy from people we don't even know. We know nothing about them. We only know that they sell cheap. In most cases, they know very little about the things they sell. There is no “guidance” given, no “experience” in their past, and no love of the art in their hearts. It is only a way to make extra money.

If money were the only driving force, I would be selling tires or some other thing besides magic. I chose to sell magic because of my love of the art and my lifetime of performing. It is what I KNOW.

There are so few real magic shops left. The magic shop used to be the place everyone went to hang out, talk magic, and show others what they are working on. It was where you met more experienced performers and learned just by listening. Today it is difficult to get anyone away from their computer screen so they never leave their house. Even lecture attendance has fallen off drastically. It is an interent world and although the internet is full of information, it is not full of knowledge. They are two different things. Knowledge comes from personal interaction and experience. It really is a “social” thing.

Let's get out and socialize a bit more. Stop by a REAL magic shop for a day of fun and interaction. If you have one of these shops in your area, you are very fortunate. I repeat, KNOW YOUR DEALER. Read a bit more about the history of magic. It is very colorful and exciting. There is a “way” to learn to be a good magician. Let someone guide you along that “way.”

Just some thoughts. Just a way of saying thank you.

Remember, this is a REAL magic studio.  We are open 7 days a week from 10:00AM til 9:00PM.  Human beings answer the phone and it is usually me...personally.  There are no menu buttons to push and no recorded messages to listen to.  We actually answer the phone and can help you make GOOD decisions.
Denny & Lee Magic Studio
9004 Yellow Brick Road, Suite H
Rosedale, MD 21237
PHONE 410-686-3914

Young Houdini Photo and Family Photo

I am constantly amazed at just how many new photos of Houdini show up. You'd think by now we would have seen them all. Not even close. I guess they'll keep turning up for years to come, at least I sure hope so. Now I finally get to add to the mix. The photos below are being used with permission. They come from Ms. Sharon K, who is from the Steiner side of the family.

 

First we have this amazing photo of a very young Houdini with his brother Theo/Dash. It may be the youngest magic related photo of Houdini and Dash. Certainly there are family photos of them together that show them at younger ages. But this photo is definitely MAGIC. I would assume it's the sack used in the Substitution Trunk/Metamorphosis.

Next is another absolutely amazing photo. This time the photo is of the Steiner Family. In this photo, on the far left is Hannah Steiner (mother), Rose Steiner (sister) and Cecilia Steiner, Houdini's mother. This has got to be the earliest photo of Cecilia I have ever seen.

Fellow Houdini fans, enjoy!