The Society of American Magicians 97th National Convention (S.A.M) in Appleton Wisconsin honored Houdini and the 100th Anniversary of his death.
Below are my day by day hightlights of this once in a lifetime special event.
June 30th
5:10a-3:10p
Flew from Los Angeles to Chicago and had a 2 hour lay over before flight to Appleton.
In Chicago, first ran into Bruce Averbook and his wife Lorraine and then John Cox. We all boarded the same plane for Appleton.
3:10p-8p
Landed in Appleton Wisconsin and took shuttle to Hilton Paper Valley Hotel, where we were met by Narinder Chadda from the UK.
After John and I checked into our rooms, we met Narinder in the lobby and walked to Houdini Plaza.
Afterwards, I hung out with Narinder in the lobby and then we picked up our registration materials.
Narinder and I then met John, Bruce and his wife for dinner at the hotel; And then we were joined by Debbie Hardeen-Bloom.
Narinder gifted John and I beautiful Houdini throw blankets. Below is the one I received. Thank You Narinder!
8p-10:30p
Went to the Houdini Séance History Discussion and Methods by Dorothy Dietrich and Bruce Kalver, which was alot of fun!
Said hello to Dorothy and Dick Brookz and called it a night.
July 1st
9a-5p
Breakfast at Starbucks.
Picked up swag bag at registration desk.
Which also included access to Houdini Swag Vault Online which had some very cool stuff.
Visted the Museum at the Castle with Narinder Chadda and John Cox.
Picked up a few souvenirs at the gift shop.
Afterwards, Dustin Mack, Phd Executive Director at the museum allowed John to flip thru the Houdini Scrapbook (spanning years 1894 to 1900) for the three of us to see. We saw some incredible images (including an unpublished image of Houdini & Bess with fellow circus performers), newspaper clippings, and annotations by Houdini himself. Also confirmed that the museum has the Tad Ware Houdini Scrapbooks, but due to age and condition, they are not allowed to share now, but at some point will be put on microfilm for researchers to view.
After reviewing the scrapbook, Dean Gunnarson and Terry Roses walked in so we chatted for a bit. Dean shared some stories and his preparation for his can escape the next day at Houdini Plaza. You might recall, that Dean did Houdini’s Milk Can Escape for the Search for Houdini television special on Halloween Night, 1987 – he was a last minute replacement for James Randi, who was injured just before his scheduled live performance. That milk can was also used on the Happy Days Show, Season 6, Episode 14. Dean was originally going to use that milk can for his escape at the plaza until he found out it leaked, so as a last minute replacement, he would have to use a different can.
Narinder, John and I then walked to the Metamorphosis Sculpture.
Double-click to read
We walked back to the hotel and entered the Dealer’s Room.
Larrian Gillespie had a dealers table and was selling her new book, The Two Deaths of Harry Houdini, which everyone should check out. It is a unique book and take on Houdini’s death from a doctor’s point of view. Also at the table was George Hardeen and Debbie Hardeen Bloom. This was my first time meeting George in person. I had met Debbie at a past Official Houdini Séance in Baltimore.
The Bloods had a dealers table, where I got to meet Jeff and Debbie’s son, Nate Blood for the first time. What a great family. I first met Jeff Blood and Debbie Blood at the 2015 screening of the Grim Game at the Houdini Museum in Scranton, where I bought one of every item they had for sale at the time. Since then, they added some additional items for sale, so I picked them up. I exchanged contact info with their son for any new items they may have in the future. The Bloods once owned Houdini’s signed and bound copy of the Merry and Bright Comics, that ran the serial Houdini Schooldays for 30 weeks; it is currently the centerpiece of my collection.
Antony Gerard had a dealers table with a Terror Island Insert from a magazine, but it was not for sale; But it did get me to visit the table, chat with Antony and purchase a couple items.
Ran into Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz and briefly saw the SAM Magic Hall of Fame Houdini Collection and new Houdini Arcade game before lining up for the bus to the theater. I last saw this Houdini collection that included the Russian Manacle when it was on display at the Whittier Museum.
5p-11p
Took bus to theater, where “ICE” McDonald kicked off the festivities, followed by a promo for the S.A.M film project, Houdini Unbound, an A.I. centric film that will bring Houdini to life, premiering 10-31-26.
We were then treated to the Her Show with an all-female cast of magicians, which included: Cindy Kaplan, Julia Dryas, Tiffany Sauvage, Alyx Hilshey, and Lyn Dillies
After the show, took bus back and went to hotel restaurant where Narinder, Dick Brookz and I watched the World Cup USA soccer game, while John and Dorothy discussed Houdini seances.
July 2
7:30-8:30 Had Brunch with Narinder Chadda
8:30-10:45 Witnessed a once in a lifetime Escape Experience at Houdini Plaza with John and Narinder
Chain Escape by S.A.M. members
Can Escape by Dean Gunnerson, where Dean recognized Dorothy Dietrich as the greatest female escape artist.
Terry Roses then secures Dean in handcuffs.
Dean enters the can and additional water is added.
And the rest is history. Dean successfully escapes after being in the can for over 2 minutes.
100 ft Suspended Strait-Jacket Escape by Houdini II (pronounced Who-dee-nee) who was hoisted up by a massive crane from the Tom Boldt company. Note: The jacket looked similar to the one in the Tony Curtis Houdini movie. At one point, sea gulls appeared out of no where, with one getting very close to Houdini II.
Houdini II after having some trouble with the jacket was able to successfully escape.
Seeing Dean and Houdini II really gave you a sense of what it would have have been like to see Houdini perform and it also gave you a sense of just how dangerous and suspensful these escapes are.
Bravo to Dean and Houdini II!
10:45-11:45a Houdini Family Interview
Bruce Kovar interviewed Debra Hardeen Bloom, George Hardeen, and Jeff & Debbie Blood who shared some amazing stories. While the Bloods knew they were related via Houdini’s niece Marie Blood, the Hardeen’s didn’t know until many years later. Hence, the Hardeen Family didn’t inherit any Houdini items, where the Bloods did. The Bloods shared on the big screen some of the family items that got passed down to them. Debra shared that she has been involved in many of the Official Houdini Seances and George talked about the Houdini’s Last Secrets TV series he did in 2019; and also mentioned a podcast he was doing where he would interview people about Houdini and Hardeen, which would include folks in the audience.
1p-2p Houdini Walking Tour with John, Narinder and others.
Erin Comer, Education & Collections Manager at the History Museum at the Castle, was our wonderful tour guide. It was great to see John’s reaction when Erin shared new info or confirmed some info.
Temple Zion:
Double-click to read
Appleton Police Station:
Houdini’s child home (was believed to be located on grass area over my shoulder in what is now Houdini Plaza):
Below are some of the other signs (double-click to read) we encountered on the tour:
2p-3:30p Watched the Grim Game with a brilliant piano accompaniment by John Sturk. Bravo!
3:40p Picked up my ticket at registration that was good for a bottle of Houdini Beer or Houdini Root Beer the next day.
4:25p Signed up for Houdini Run on July 4th and got a cool looking T-Shirt.
4:30p-6p Narinder and I went to the Close -Up Contest and saw some very talented performers
6p Met Trudy Monti for the first time, she was a very charming lady, who gifted me a couple first day Houdini covers I was interested in purchasing. Trudy also shared an escape scrapbook of her late husband, Harry Monti, with Narinder and I, that will eventually become a book. We were then joined by Terry Roses and had a discussion about Zanetti The Super Criminal.
6:30-8p Narinder and I went to the Vault for Dinner and we each created our own pizza.
9:45p-11p
John Cox and Mike Caveney took the stage or should I say Felix and Oscar. The banter between John and Mike was very entertaining. Mike set the record straight that he is not a Houdini hater. They talked about Bruce Averbook’s Houdini Pocket Travel Diary and how it was transformed into the Escaping Obscurity Book;
Followed by what went into getting the David Copperfield’s wax cylinders of Houdini voice transferred, and then came the surprise that only John and Mike knew about. Everyone was asked to put their cell phones and recording devices away. John then played the never before heard German voice cylinder.
This was followed by revealing the cover of John’s new book:
After the history making talk, ran into Tom Boldt who graciously volunteered to give a tour of the new spots to be added to the walking tour during my stay here. I asked if would be okay to include John Cox and our friend Narinder from the U.K., and he said sure. He also walked me through all his posters hanging in the lobby of the hotel.
July 3rd
9-10:30a
Had Buffet with Narinder and John
10:30a Met in the dealers room to take a publicity photo for the book: Houdini, The Man Who Died Twice with author Larrian Gillespie and Watsons Bruce Averbook, John Cox, myself, and The Cowboy George Hardeen
11a-12:15p Went to Boris Wild lecture with Bruce Averbook
12:15p 2:45p Hung out with John Cox and Narinder Chadda. We were then joined by Paul Draper and Tom Ewing
3:45p Bus to Magic Opera Theater
Got to watch the promo for S.A.M. A.I. film project again.
Then we were treated to an incredible All-Star Magic Show with MC Mike Caveney, Christopher Hart, Shawn Farquhar, Puck, John Shryrock & Mari Lynn
7p-10p Walked with Narinder and John to an Italian Cuisine Restaurant down the street from the hotel and had incredible dinner and service.
10p-11:30p Walked back to hotel and had drinks and shot pool with John and Narinder
July 4
Breakfast with Narinder Chadda
Houdini Run with Narinder, Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz
10p-4pTom Boldt gave us a private tour of Appleton which included:
Extended Walking Tour with additional signs, except we discovered 2 temporary signs were missing and 1 permanent sign was missing. Tom is now on it. Hopefully new permanent signs stay permanent.
The permanent sign by river about Houdini almost drowning as a kid was missing.
Temp sign that discussed his movie career and where his movies played in Appleton was missing;
And the Outgamie Court House temp sign was missing. This was where Meyer Weiss got his citizenship in 1882.
Below are temporary signs [double-click to read] that were not missing:
V.I.P. Tour of Henry James and Cremora Rogers Residence (now Hearthstone Historic House Museum) by the director himself. First house in the U.S. with electric light powered by hydroelectricity.
Tour of former paper mills
Tour of Appleton Lock 3
Tour of Telulah Park – where an unpublished photo of Houdini and Hardeen was taken.
Tour of Rev F.J. Saloman’s Grave – Saloman took over for Meyer Samuel Weiss in 1883; Learned that Saloman’s German may have been more in line with the German speaking residents than Weiss’ German.
Thank You Tom Ewing for a fun day, we will never forget.
4:30p-5:30p President’s Reception
Hung out with Narinder and John
Dinner: Narinder and I sat with S.A.M Hall of Fame and Magic Museum President, Kim Hallinger and her husband, a gentleman that was 95 years old and in amazing shape, Magician Old Jasper and his wife along with their talented daughter, Julie Dryas who performed on the Her Magic show night. All were from Assembly 22 which meets in Duarte California. Assembly 22 was the assembly I joined as a kid and we met in Hollywood at the time. Also the Hall of Fame Pres is the one that was gracious enough a couple years ago to allow myself, Bill Kalush, Fred Pittella and Arthur Moses VIP access to the Whittier museum when it displayed part of their collection.
Won the center piece.
Magic show with Jonathan Neal and Liane was incredible.
Packed up, then hung out at the bar with Narinder, John, and Tom Boldt, Had Houdini beer. Said good-bye and thank you to John and Tom for making this trip incredible.
July 5th
9a Last Buffet with Narinder from the U.K., who was so much fun to hang out with and made the trip extra special. Thank you my friend.
10:30a I then boarded the shuttle to the airport, where I was joined by Tom Ewing and Marc DeSousa. At the airport, ran into Bruce and Lorraine Averbook, who were booked on an earlier flight.
8p arrived at LAX.
8:30p arrived home.
Thanks to S.A.M and all involved in putting on a convention for the ages that honored our hero, Harry Houdini.
And thanks to all the people highlighted in bold above that truly made this a wonderful experience.
Related:
- Houdini LIVED in Appleton last week (John Cox report)
