New Book on Houdini Filled with Never Before Seen Images

 

ALERT: New Houdini Book, That You Don't Want To Miss! This might be my favorite kind of new Houdini book. It's called Exposing Houdini by Charles Greene. The book contains images that perhaps no one has seen since the days of Houdini. These were found in an abandoned safety deposit box, glass plates with images of a younger Harry, from the period of 1903-1911. Judging by the cover, he is in 'fighting shape' in these images!

Every time new pictures of Houdini turn up, it's exciting. And they turn up all the time! Well, not all the time, but every couple years they seem to turn up. And now to have so many of them show up at once, is huge!

Charles Greene, is a friend and fellow magic historian. He's also an excellent magician in his own right. But he has a passion for magic history that I admire. He has been trying to track down the origin of these glass plates for some time. He thinks they might have come from the Dunninger Collection, meaning from Dunninger's House in NJ. How they ended up in a safety deposit box in the middle of the country is a big mystery. 

But the good news is, they have been found and are now being shared in the new book, Exposing Houdini by Charles Greene. This is a limited edition run. So you'll want to order it while you can. The book is a 10x10 coffee table book printed on the highest quality paper, 164 pages. It's going to be insanely cool!!! 

To order: exposingHoudini.com  

David Copperfield Ending His Run at MGM Grand in April!

 

This notice above just showed up on David Copperfield's social media pages. In eight weeks, the end of April, David Copperfield will finish his run at MGM GRAND IN LAS VEGAS. He says he will be announcing what's next following that run. Frankly, I cant even imagine. Well, sure I can imagine, maybe he's doing the Moon Vanish, but that cant be all. Perhaps moving to a new casino. Maybe opening his museum to the public. Im just guessing. 

Im a full time performer. I make my living doing this stuff. But I will be the first to say, I would love to see David Copperfield do anything huge! TV,  NETFLIX, touring. Whatever! Bring DC to a brand new generation, THEY, and WE, need you!!!!

A Mentalist to Headline The White House Correspondants' Dinner

 

It has been announced that Oz Pearlman will headline this years White House Correspondants Dinner. This breaks from the tradition of having a comedian. The WHCD began in 1921as a DC Social event for journalists and some members of the government. Over time, Presidents began to attend. In 1924, Calvin Coolidge was the first President to appear. Since 1943 the dinner has included entertainment. Early on, they would feature a number of entertainers, with one main  MC, the first being Bob  Hope. Over time, the event would have just one comedian, though that would change when Ray Charles was brought in as the entertainer of the evening. This was a choice of President George Bush who chose a singer rather than a comedian due to the War in Iraq breaking out.

This year marks the first year a mentalist or anyone from the magic world hosted. Which is not exactly correct. Both Dick Cavettt and Larry Willmore hosted, but as comedians (both are amateur magicians).  It is not the first time a magician has performed however. In March 1955 Channing Pollack performed at the dinner, along with Duke Ellington, and Tennessee Ernie Ford.

The big question is whether the President will attend, as I think he has declined the invitation to attend all his previous dinners.  

Magicians are actually no strangers to Washington DC and the Federal Government. Many have performed at the White House. Many have performed for members of Congress. Magician and author Wayne Alan is publishing a book tentatively titled, 'Magicians At The White House' which covers the entire history of magicians who performed there, starting with President Polk, I think and right up until modern times. 

Houdini visited both the White House and the Capital Building. I believe he did magic for Congressman at the Capital building, besides also testifying before Congress. I dont recall if he performed any magic at the White House, but knowing Houdini, it wouldn't surprise me. I do know that President Woodrow Wilson would sneak, along with his wife, over to Keiths Vaudeville Theater on 15th St in Washington to see Houdini present his Water Torture Cell.

One of the more popular stories of a magician in DC is when Max Malini bit the button off Senator Hanna's coat on the steps of the Capital Building. Malini also gave an impromptu performance in the Marble Room of the Capital.

Some of todays top names in magic have performed for Senators, Congressmen, Supremes, and members of the Executive Branch! So Oz Pearlman is in good company.