I finally acquired my own copy of the pressbook for the Tony Curtis Houdini Movie. Over 4 posts, I plan to share the pressbook in its entirety.
Today, I share pages 13-16:
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!
I finally acquired my own copy of the pressbook for the Tony Curtis Houdini Movie. Over 4 posts, I plan to share the pressbook in its entirety.
Today, I share pages 5-8:
I finally acquired my own copy of the pressbook for the Tony Curtis Houdini 1953 Movie. Over 4 posts, I plan to share the pressbook in its entirety.
Today, I share pages 1-4:
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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.
The word “lithophane” derives from Greek “litho”, which is from “lithos” which means stone or rock, and “phainein” meaning “to cause to appear.” Originally, lithopanes were made from carved porcelin but with modern 3d printing, the world of lithopanes are more affordable. Our unique pieces are 3D printed in plastic and take 5-7 hours to create.
With a simple tealight and stand, (supplied) the photo comes to life in an almost “holographic” appearance.
We have also created a night light version which adds a little spookiness to your hallways.
The tealight stand comes with an LED tealight. The night light version comes with an LED nightlight plug and adapter to hold the litophane in place.
The Master Mystery Lithophane shows Houdini with the first robot in cinema, Q the Automaton Robot.
Approximate size is 3.5 x 4.5 inches.
A truly special reproduction of the poster, this unique piece will be a welcome addition to any magician’s magic room.
I purchased the night light version (which is not curved) and have it plugged into an outlet in my Houdini room devoted to his movies.
I think I like the curved version in the stand, even better that the night light version.
What other recipients have said:
You can order here:
Writer’s Blocks are handmade odes to history’s greatest writers. Each solid wood block features the portrait, signature, and famous works of a particular author.
The portrait is a famous image of Houdini in The Grim Game.
And, the following Houdini works are featured:
They make perfect decorations for any literary bookshelf, desk, dresser, or table.
And come in two sizes: REGULAR – 8 cubic inches (2in x 2in x 2in) and JUMBO – 27 cubic inches (3in x 3in x 3in).
I highly recommend the JUMBO, the REGULAR is a bit small.
You can order while supplies last on Etsy:
Los Angeles Herald, 30 September 1919
Today, I share the complete text from an August 30, 1921 newspaper clipping that appeared in The Oklahoma City Times:
That Houdini is partial to the letter of the alphabet, “H,” is evident, for in writing “The Man from Beyond,” his first special feature for his own producing organization, the author-star gave the leading character the name of Howard Hillary. It is also noticed in the second picture, Houdini in writing the story of “Haldane of the Secret Service,” again used a name beginning with the eighth letter. Those who have watched the screen career of Houdini will recall that in his two pictures , “The Grim Game” and “Terror Island,” Houdini used the letter “H.” The name of the central figure in the first was Harvey Hanford, and in the second, the name of the hero was Harry Harper. Houdini furnished the plots for these two pictures , giving the characters their names. Houdini says that the selection of names for his characters is a psychic process and that when he writes his material it is as if his hand is guided in writing the letter “H” for his principal character.
I love that all 4 special features with HH characters are highlighted, as well as the fact that Houdini wrote and furnished plots for them. The Grim Game and Terror Island were written in collaboration with Arthur B. Reeve and John W. Grey. That said, not sure I buy his psychic process for writing the letter “H” for his principal character, lol.
