Houdini 1953 – American Lobby Cards

I started the year off, sharing the 1953 pressbook from the Tony Curtis Houdini movie. Thought I would continue sharing other related Houdini related movie items throughout the year, like: Posters, Lobby cards, stills, magazine covers/advertisements and programs from around the world.

Today I share (the original workbook photo in my collection) of the American 11×14 Set of Lobby Cards:

  1. Publicity shot of Curtis and Leigh
  2. Houdini being placed in a canvas bag, standing inside the Sub Trunk
  3. Front cover of the Pressbook
  4. Houdini being lowered into the Chinese Water Torture Chamber
  5. The packing crate being lowered into the cut hole of the iced over river
  6. Houdini in his cell, trying to pick the door lock with his feet
  7. A close up of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh
  8. Houdini’s legs being shackled, just before being placed in the packing crate
  9. Back stage after Houdini’s stooge just got him challenged to escape from Scotland Yards jail

BTW, I have original pressbook and originals of all of these Lobby cards with one signed by Janet Leigh.

 

Houdini’s Schooldays reviewed in Ye Olde Magic Mag Vol 10 Issue 2

Ye Old Magic Mag (YOMM) is the first fully-digital magic history magazine, covering magic of the past and collection of magic memorabilia.

Marco Pusteria reviews ‘Houdini’s Schooldays‘ in Vol 10 Issue 2.

Here are a couple snippets from Pusteria about my contribution to Houdini’s Schooldays by Herbert Allngham that I published in 2023.

The book contains the transcription of the complete story, as published, together with all the images that accompanied it, and it is prefaced by Joe’s scholarly study of the text and of the acquisition of this rare collection.

For the reader of this magazine the research carried out by Joe Notaro is the most interesting part of the book, providing a context to the story and some information that is little known.

Pusteria is acknowledged by me in Houdini’s Schooldays for his thoughts on Houdini and R. B. Ogle. Houdini and Ogle is also featured in YOMM Vol 8 Issue 3; The cover image is a rare illustration by Ogle who provided artwork for some of Houdini’s adventure fiction in the 1920s. Ogle was a candidate for illustrating Houdini’s Schooldays.

Related:

Houdini 1953 – Mexican Lobby Cards

I started the year off, sharing the 1953 pressbook from the Tony Curtis Houdini movie. Thought I would continue sharing other related Houdini related movie items throughout the year, like: Posters, Lobby cards, stills, magazine covers/advertisements and programs from around the world.

Today I share (the original workbook photo in my collection) of the Mexican 11×14 Set of Lobby Cards:

BTW, I have originals of all of these Mexican Lobby Cards in my personal collection.

Houdini 1953 – Posters plus

I started the year off, sharing the 1953 pressbook from the Tony Curtis Houdini movie. Thought I would continue sharing other related Houdini related movie items throughout the year, like: Posters, Lobby cards, stills, magazine covers/advertisements and programs from around the world.

Here is sample (from original workbook photo in my collection) to wet your appetite:

  1. 1 sheet poster from Argentia
  2. 1-sheet poster from France
  3. 1-sheet poster from Italy
  4. 1-sheet poster from Belgium
  5. 1-sheet poster from Italy
  6. Handcuff display used for movie
  7. Curtis/Leigh on the Cover of a French film magazine
  8. Curtis/Leigh on the Cover of Genii magazine
  9. Scene from movie

Houdini Manacle comes to light

No not the Tatler Mirror Cuff (from missing IBM Museum) that Bessie Houdini gave to W.W. Durbin (President of IBM), but the Russian Manacle that Bessie gave to the Society of American Magicians and is part of the S.A.M Hall of Fame and Magic Museum currently on display at the Whittier Musuem.

Over Ten Years ago (June 2013), I made the trek to the Whittier Museum to see famous handcuff. In fact, I attempted to see the famous handcuff (i.e., the Russian Manacle) twice and both times the Houdini Display was dark. The first time, no one showed up with the key to open the museum, and the second time, the lights in the Houdini Display wouldn’t come on.  Well the third time was the charm.

I attended the opening ceremony on January 27th, 2024 and got a nice close-up look at the Russian Manacle.

I highly recommend the experience!

A Look Back at 2023

Last year, I published my second Houdini book, Houdini Schooldays Plus History of the Story, which is still available.

Besides publishing my second book, there were many more highlights for HHCE in 2023.

Shared some special posts that included not widely known information.

Shared a series of posts on Houdini’s copyrighted plays.

Shared some additional posts on Houdini and Reeves.

Shared The Grim Game Story Adapatation.

Shared “Houdini Nuts” adventure.

Shared a series of posts where I share an interview that Pictures and Picturegoer magazine did with Harry Houdini.

Shared s series of posts where I share 4 page Master Mystery supplements and trade notices that appeared in Kinmatograph and Lantern Weekly.

Shared a number of other items from my personal collection.

Shared my latest research on the Tatler Cuff.

In 2024, I plan to continue to share research, items from my collection, and publish my next Houdini book.