The week of October 18-23, 1926 Houdini was at the Princess Theatre, Montreal Canada. It was on October 22, 1926 that Houdini got punched in the dressing room of the theatre. According to Silverman, the dressing room was small, about eight feet by ten. What follows is a Montreal Daily Star newspaper ad from my personal collection that is reported to be Houdini’s last interview in October 1926. This interview by Viola Cameron would have taken place in the dressing room at the Princess Theatre during the week Houdini was there.
Viola Cameron interviews him in his dressing room with folks coming and going: “three secretaries” with reports on his investigations and “three assistants” awaiting his orders.There was also mention of him, “helping in an unbelievable measure those who visit him hourly with woeful tales of fraud through the medium, the fortune teller and the magician. Houdini is their friend and their voluntary advisor”.
The opening quote by Houdini is also of interest: “no man is great while he is alive because the last day before his death he might do something that would discount all else of greatness in his career”.
Houdini died shortly after this interview on October 31, 1926.
Thoughts?
Prophetic words indeed.
Like most HH seemed wary that all his efforts over the many years building his reputation and fame could potentially take a nose dive with one wrong move etc. He seemed to strive to stay one step ahead. Reinventing himself and embracing new technology.
One can spend a lifetime building a reputation and then loose it , in one fleeting inopportune moment.
It seems he was very busy during his last few weeks.Numerous visitors. Numerous aides.
A man carrying an injury, old scars and fatigued. Yet the determination and the strength of the man conveys an air of “normality” during his last few weeks.
Well said Narinder. Thank you!
It seems that HH was a constantly busy man, even at his home in 278. An interviewer there noted people coming and going to see him for all manner of things. Silverman called it fear of annihilation, that compulsion to stay one step ahead at all times.
Indeed, Thanks for sharing Leo.
You’re welcome Joe! Hope you enjoyed that Hawaiian excursion. I don’t believe HH ever made it there.
I had a great time in Maui, and you are correct Houdini never made it to the Kingdom, Republic or Territory of Hawaii. Hawaii officially became the fiftieth state on August 21, 1959.
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Now we know Houdini actually did make a stop in Hawaii on his way back from Australia.
https://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2021/07/houdini-in-hawaii-yes-hawaii.html