On Sunday December 6, 1998 at 8pm, TNT aired the World Premiere of HOUDINI, starring Jonathan Schaech.
I am lucky enough to have in my collection, an original press kit and VHS tape for the this TNT original movie premier.
It includes eight color 35mm color slides, two 8×10 photos, production information, cast information, and director and cast Q&As.
Today, I share cast information (credits and biographies) from the press kit.
On Sunday December 6, 1998 at 8pm, TNT aired the World Premiere of HOUDINI, starring Jonathan Schaech.
I am lucky enough to have in my collection, an original press kit and VHS tape for the this TNT original movie premier.
It includes eight color 35mm color slides, two 8×10 photos, production information, cast information, and director and cast Q&As.
Today, I share production information (credits and biographies) from the press kit.
Last week, Escaping Obscurity The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini 1897-1899 was published by Mike Caveney’s Magic Words, and I was pleased to get copy # 0028 of 150 numbered copies of the deluxe edition. The number 28 corresponds with day of the month I was born.
The deluxe edition comes with a slip case unlike any other: Per Mike Caveney: “It looks like a water-damaged box that has been abused over the course of 125 years, and that’s because it perfectly replicates the front and back covers of the original diary. A perfect reminder of the difficult life that this little diary experienced during the first three years of its life.”
The deluxe edition is also signed by the diary’s owner Bruce Averbook; author John Cox; designer Michael Albright; and publisher Mike Caveney. And comes with an original print of the first example of graphic advertising (The Houdini’s Metamorphosis exchange made in 3 seconds) used by Harry and Bess. The print was created using a Vandercook press and an 1894 block (generously made available by William Kalush of The Conjuring Arts Research Center). It also features a photograph of these prints being produced.
Per John Cox, “The Deluxe Edition has already sold out, making it the fastest selling Deluxe Edition in Mike Caveney’s Magic Words history. But there are still Regular Editions available. The print run is not huge, so it’s possible the book could sell out entirely. Just saying.”
Suffice to say, the book is a thing of beauty and must have by all. Like the Deluxe Editions, the Regular Editions will also sell out, so don’t wait to purchase. The unbelievable array of rare photographs alone is worth the investment; many of which have never appeared in print.
Right from the start, the title for the book (Escaping Obscurity The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini 1897-1899) and the classic B&W 1898 Welsh Bros. Circus image (with Harry and Bess colorized) on the front cover could not have been more perfect.
Followed by printed endsheets that depict the Welsh Bros. Circus.
Mike Caveney then kicks the book off with a heart-felt Publishers Note that begins, “The book represents an amazing confluence of special friends…”
This is followed by a Foreword from the owner of the diary, Dr. Bruce J Averbook where he answers, “Why procure probably the historically greatest, recognized magician’s earliest known diary? Why is this so important? And Why share with the world and publish this now?”
John Cox then does the Introduction where he shares his journey with the diary and ends with him saying: “I’m so excited for you to be holding this book in your hands and taking the journey yourself.” And what a journey it is.
John Cox then brilliantly deciphers and annotates every page of the diary with supporting images from major collections, which graphic designer Michael Albright beautifully assembles into a beautiful, full-color book of 373 pages measuring 9 by 12 inches. You can tell that this was a labor of love.
At the end of the book, there is an very informative essay, “The Restoration” by Jamye Jamison that describes the layout of the 5 ½ inches tall and 2 ½ inches wide diary and the restoration process it had to go through.
The Appendix section includes Houdini’s Performance Chronology from June 14, 1897 to July 9 1899.
The Acknowledgements section lists individuals and institutions who helped turn the diary into a proper book, with a special thanks to Patrick Culliton who gave the manuscript a thorough read and stress test, John T. Seyfried and ICA Art Conservation for providing the photos of the diary pages, and Dr. Bruce J. Averbrook gives a shout out to his own special collaborator, his wife Lorene.
A Sources section lists books and newspaper quotes used, along with a nice Index.
And the back cover sums it all up:
IN JUNE 1897, an itinerant young magician named Harry Houdini began to record his life on the road in a small travel diary. For the next two years, he painstakingly noted his daily struggles to find success in the rough and tumble worlds of dime museums, medicine shows, circuses, small-time vaudeville, and spritualist chambers.
Through the pages of Escaping Obscurity, Houdini cryptic entries have been fully annotated by Houdini expert John Cox, and illustrated with hundreds of rare photographs, allowing you to follow Harry and his young wife, Bess, as they travel across the United States, struggling to make ends meet.
There has never been a magician like Houdini, and there has never been a book about him like this one. Experience the evolution of a legend and read in Houdini’s own words how he successfully escaped…obscurity.
BRAVO to all involved!
On Sunday December 6, 1998 at 8pm, TNT aired the World Premiere of HOUDINI, starring Jonathan Schaech.
I am lucky enough to have in my collection, an original press kit and VHS tape for the this TNT original movie premier.
It includes eight color 35mm color slides, two 8×10 photos, production information, cast information, and director and cast Q&As.
Today, I share two 8×10 photos from the press kit.
On Sunday December 6, 1998 at 8pm, TNT aired the World Premiere of HOUDINI, starring Jonathan Schaech.
I am lucky enough to have in my collection, an original press kit and VHS tape for the this TNT original movie premier.
It includes eight color 35mm color slides, two 8×10 photos, production information, cast information, and director and cast Q&As.
Today, I share the eight color slides from the press kit.
Johnathan Schaech and Stacy Edwards. Photo by Doug Hyun (c) 1998 TBS, Inc.
Johnathan Schaech. Photo by Doug Hyun (c) 1998 TBS, Inc.
Stacy Edwards and Johnathan Schaech. Photo by Doug Hyun (c) 1998 TBS, Inc.
George Segal, Stacy Edwards and J. Schaech. Photo by Doug Hyun (c) 1998 TBS, Inc.
Johnathan Schaech. Photo by Doug Hyun (c) 1998 TBS, Inc.
Stacy Edwards and Johnathan Schaech. Photo by Doug Hyun (c) 1998 TBS, Inc.
Stacy Edwards and Johnathan Schaech. Photo by Doug Hyun (c) 1998 TBS, Inc.
Stacy Edwards, Rhea Perlman and Paul Sorvino. Photo by Doug Hyun (c) 1998 TBS, Inc.
On Sunday December 6, 1998 at 8pm, TNT aired the World Premiere of HOUDINI, starring Jonathan Schaech.
I am lucky enough to have in my collection, an original press kit and VHS tape for the this TNT original movie premier.
It includes eight color 35mm color slides, two 8×10 photos, production information, cast information, and director and cast Q&As.
In future posts, I will share some of these press materials with you. In the mean time, below is an uncut promo trailer for HOUDINI (1998) courtesy of WildAboutHoudini:
Earlier this year with 1 bid, I was able to land this rare unsigned first edition (above) for $24.99:
Item description from the seller
Rare Patti Smith A-list item, published by the legendary Gotham Book Mart. Now nearly 50 years old, this wonderful short piece has some signs of age — corner dings, small bumps, and a bit of discoloration (see photos) — but overall is in good shape and highly collectible. This copy is not signed, which actually makes it rarer.
Patti Smith’s “Ha! Ha! Houdini!” was published in several editions.
The first edtion (Gotham Book Mart) was a limited edition, with 100 numbered copies [and 26 lettered copies] signed at rear by Patti Smith. The signed copies had a hole punch and lock and key inserted.
There was also a UK Ace edition with a limited run of 500 copies, with variations in cover color and design.
Additionally, there are artist proofs and other variations outside of the main editions.
Today, I share an article from my personal collection titled “ME” by Houdini. It appeared in the very rare Fragments’magazine dated 5th June 1920. Enjoy!
Last week, I shared my miniature Houdini Master of Mystery pinball machine, so today, thought I would share my backlit, Houdini Master Of Mystery Translite (above), in my houdini room.
The American Pinball Houdini Master Of Mystery Translite is a collectible piece featuring artwork from the pinball game designed by Joe Balcer. This particular translite has been signed by Joe Balcer, adding a unique and valuable touch to the item.
Below is the translite with signature before I put in a backlit frame.
In 2018, I got to play the Houdini: Master of Mystery pinball machine (originally titled Houdini: Master Mystery after the movie) on Terror Island AKA Catalina Island where scenes for Terror Island were filmed.
There our 5 movie modes presented in black and white, with an an old-time film look and a piano accompaniment.
Failing to complete a movie mode results in the film “burning” on the display screen.
Suffice it to say, I always wanted one. Well, I found one I could afford on etsy and am now the proud owner of the cake topper pictured above.