The “major illusion” to which Houdini refers in his letter [shared in Part 1] is that of “Sawing a Woman in Half.
Below is the second part of the Billboard article from my personal collection:
GOLDIN GETS INJUNCTION
Horace Goldin, who for the past season presented “Sawing a Woman in Half” for the Keith interests, this week secured a temporary restraining order against Weiss Brothers, producers of the expose film. Hearing on a motion to make the injunction permanent is slated for some time next week.
In his application for an injunction Goldin set forth that he is the inventor of the “Sawing a Woman in Half” Illusion and holds patents to substantiate his claim. He also alleges that the billing matter, captions and sub-titles used in the picture are an infringement on his own.
The illusion exposed, is not that of Goldin’s, but a depiction of the version of which P. T. Selbit, and English magician, claims to be the inventor. The effect, however, of both the Goldin and Selbit versions is held to be identical.
Goldin was recently granted an injunction against the Alexander Film Co., which concern also produced an expose of the illusion in question. Goldin estimates that he has been obliged to spend upward of $15000 during the past season in litigation to protest his illusion.
The Rialto Theater, where the illusion is booked to show, has been served with notice of the injunction against the producers.
BONUS
Houdini’s “Slicing of a Woman” Apparatus
October 15, 1926 Schenectady NY Gazette describes Houdini’s slicing of a woman:
The slicing of a woman, a trick derived from the ancient torture machines of China, is one of the big features of the first act. With the aid of assistants, Houdini places a young woman in a casket. Several knives are suspended above her body. The blades descend at a fast rate and seemingly slice the body of the girl. But when the casket is opened she steps out from the box, bows, and makes her exit none the worse for the experience.
