WHO WAS HARRY HOUDINI?

MESSENGER BOY Was born in 1874 in Budapest, Hungary as Erich Weiss Lived in poverty much of his childhood because his father was an unsuccessful Rabbi Moved to the USA when he was 4 He began working at the age of 8 He was a messenger boy in New York to earn money for his family. He placed a card on his hat that said, “Christmas is coming, turkeys are fat, place a dime in the messenger boy’s hat.” He was able to come home with coins hidden in his clothes. He would shake his clothes and say to his mom, “I am magic.”

WELCOME…HARRY HOUDINI Erich Weiss learned about magic and illusions from traveling circuses He became obsessed with a book written by Robert-Houdin Weiss thought his name was pronounced “Hoodeen” instead of “Whodan.” Weiss was often called “Erie” by other kids. He used that to become “Harry.” He added an “I” to Houdin to become Houdini…. He then became Harry Houdini!

EARLY CAREER First worked in traveling circuses and shows doing magic tricks Joined Jacob Hyman, whom he worked with at the neck tie cutting factory, in performances. They were called, “The Brothers Houdini.” His brother, Theo, later joined him after Jacob left the act. He then married another performer named Bess 21 days after meeting her. Bess became his new partner in all his shows. He continued with the Metamorphosis trick and was able to make the “switch” in 3 seconds because Bess was so small.

A PROMISE KEPT Houdini’s father passed away when Harry was only 18. He promised his father that he would always take care of his mother. He would send her money when he was working and traveling. He also took care of her by providing a home for her and all his siblings.

HOUDINI’S ESCAPES

GOODBYE TO THE GREAT HOUDINI Harry Houdini died 7 days after going to hospital from complications of appendicitis. He died on Halloween in 1926 He is buried at Machpelah Cemetery in Queens, NY His monument remains. However, the bust on top was destroyed multiple times. It was empty since 1975 until Dorothy Dietrich, Dick Brookz and Steve Moore made a replica that they had placed on the monument in one day!

HOUDINI’S COLLECTIONS Houdini willed all of his belongings related to his shows to his brother Theo “Hardeen.” Houdini requested they were to be “burnt and destroyed upon his death” However, his brother kept them & later gave them to his protégé, Sydney Radner. He has secretly kept this collection for 60 years. He just recently placed all the items up for auction. Hardeen often performed Houdini’s escapes for many years after Houdini’s death

HOW MUCH IS IT WORTH? Strait Jacket Sold for $13,500 Rankin Half Moon Handcuffs Sold for $4,000 Milk Can Sold for $35,000 Water Torture Cell Sold for $300,000 Hull Palace Water Torture Cell Poster Sold for $10,000

WHERE DID IT GO? Who has most of Houdini’s collection? None other than the famous illusionist of recent times-David Copperfield Copperfield has a Secret Magic Museum in Las Vegas where he stores his collection. He bought many items from the Houdini auction and displays them in his museum. Visitors are not permitted in this secret museum.

HOW DID HE DO THAT? No one really knows how Houdini was able to perform all the stunts, escapes and illusions he was famous for. However, here are a few things we know that MAY have helped him….. He could dislocate his shoulder in order to move more freely He had a dental plate in his mouth that he may have hid keys in He had short and bowed legs He had hundreds of keys and locks that he took apart and learned inside and out

WHAT ELSE DO WE KNOW ABOUT HARRY HOUDINI? He had one of the largest magic libraries and collections and hired a full time librarian He was an amazing performer. He knew when his audiences were ready to break and would appear or escape during those moments to keep them in suspense He would stay under water for 2-3 minutes during the Milk Can Escape He was always practicing ways to perfect an escape or illusion He loved children, although he never had any of his own, and often performed at hospitals and orphanages He would often ask people to punch him in the stomach during his shows He wasn’t the first person to fly over Australia but was given the credit because he was the first to have it witnessed by the media He had the third largest library which is now at Harvard He designed and built many of his escapes such as the Milk Can Escape and the Water Torture Cell

WHAT HAVE YOUR LEARNED ABOUT HARRY HOUDINI? USE THE INFORMATION IN THIS POWERPOINT TO COMPLETE YOUR HOUDINI STUDY GUIDE!