Honey-Moon with Houdini

Honey-Moon with Houdini

Sonia Greene Photo

Sonia Greene had come into his life in the weeks after his mother passing.  Was she, therefore, no more than a replacement for his mother.  Nonetheless, they were married and life was hectic.  He was engaged on a strange ghostwriting job.  It was to write a story for the great escape artist, Harry Houdini to be published in Weird Tales.  When he discovered that there was not a shred of truth to the story, he asked the Weird Tales owner, J.C. Henneberger, to let him embellish it.  He finished it at the end of February 1924, but lost the manuscript on March 2, in Union Station in Providence when taking the train to New York the day before his wedding.  Fortunately, he had another copy and on the morning of his wedding, he was furiously re-typing it.  He had only typed half of it when it was time to head to the church.

HPLand Sonia Greene-Boston, 1921

The plan had been to go to Philadelphia after the wedding, but he and his wife were too tired and returned to her apartment.  Of course, there was still the manuscript to be finished.  On arriving in Philadelphia the following day, she read out from the copy while he banged away on a borrowed typewriter.  That was how they spent the first day and a half of their married life. ‘When that manuscript was finished, ‘she wrote, ‘we were too tired and exhausted for honey-mooning or anything else.’ The story was sent off and later that month he was paid $100 for it, the most money he had earned to-date for a story.

Of course we are talking about HP Lovecraft and “Imprisoned With The Pharaohs” which was first published in the May-June-July 1924 issue of Weird Tales magazine, the story tells of Houdini’s adventures trapped in a Egyptian tomb.

UnderThePyramids-C1

Source: HP Lovecraft  The Mysterious Man Behind The Darkness

97 Years Ago – The Master Mystery Begins Unspooling (Today Footage is missing)

The week of January 6, 1919, The Master Mystery, a fifteen-chapter serial began unspooling.

TMM Kino imageAccording to Houdini The Movie Star Film Notes by Bret Wood:

Upon its original release, The Master Mystery ran slightly longer than five-and-half hours. Several episodes are lost, or only exist in fragmentary condition.  Thus the Kino International edition runs slightly less than four hours (238.5 min).

The first episode, “The Living Death”, premiered in New York, the week of January 6, 1919.  The Moving Picture World reported, “To say that the opening was auspicious is to use terms which do not adequately describe the facts.  It was a tremendous success.”  The film packed the three thousand-seat Proctor’s Theatre in Yonkers and another estimated three thousand were turned away.

The serial opened in sixteen theaters throughout New York State.

Culliton -274x236According to Patrick Culliton:

There were two big stunts in each chapter.  Now the twelve surviving chapters don’t contain half of those stunts.  Certain stunts that were in mid-chapter have been shifted to be cliff hangers at the ends of chapters.

TMM E13 imageAccording to IMDb Trivia:

13 of the original 15 episodes of this serial survive in the UCLA Film and Television Archives.

The Kino Video version contains chapters 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15 in complete form and fragments from chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11.

 

We definitely have a Master Mystery that needs to be solved.  Let’s get this puzzle back together.

Related:

23 to 25 Minutes of Terror Island is Missing

terror card disclaimer

Disclaimer at the start of the current version of Terror Island

The current version of Terror Island is approximately 55 minutes, but it is missing reels (acts) Three and Four.

missing terror

Two of several missing scenes from Terror Island

According to the Terror Island Press book it was Six Acts.

TI Press Book Cover 001

However, I have seen the original script and it was 7 acts.  Most of the ads imply it was six reels.

terror-island-the_kansas_city_sun_sat__sep_4__1920_ (1)

However documentation at the Margaret Herrick Library gave the length of each of the seven reels, which add up to 5939 feet:

Reel One:  975 feet, Reel Two: 848 feet, Reel Three: 958 feet, Reel Four: 917 feet, Reel Five: 889 feet., Reel Six: 784 feet and Reel Seven: 568 feet.

Just based on the total feet, 5939 feet could actually fit on Six reels, which might explain the Six acts mentioned in the press book and the Six reels listed in ads.  I compared the Kino DVD running time of the five reels (Acts 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7) at 55 minutes (54.19) to the footage per reel and based on my rough calculations we are missing about 25 minutes (Acts 3 and 4) played at 20 fps (75 feet a minute).  The library lists 5939 feet and many reviews such as Wid’s Daily below list it at 5813 feet.  At 20 fps, that is either 79.19 minutes or 77.51 total minutes in length.

Feel free to do the math yourself.

terror-island-wids-daily-review-php-2 (1)

Related:

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Mr. & Mrs. Harry Houdini wish you A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!

Merry Xmas Happy New Year to TF from HH

Image courtesy of Handcuffs.org

Addendum:

“Just to remind everyone, Houdini and Tom Froggatt [Mirror Cuff Maker (?)] were friends for 20 years. His first Christmas card was sent to Tom at Christmas 1904, and the last one was Christmas 1924.

If Nathanial Hart [Mirror Cuff Maker (?)] existed (and I still think he did) I think it would be inevitable that he and Tom would meet up, considering that he was interested in handcuffs, was himself a metal worker, and they lived in the same city.

I originally thought that Tom and Nathaniel were the same person, but now I’d like to think that they knew each other.”

[Michael Hanzlik quote dated November 25 2014]

Master Locksmith, Houdini historian, an authority on the Mirror Handcuff Challenge passed away on the 1st of November 2015 after a battle with Cancer.

Rest in Peace Mick Hanzlik!

HHCE Plans for the future

HHCE HomePage

In 2011, when I started HarryHoudiniCircumstantialEvidence.com (HHCE) my mission statement and purpose of this blog site was as follows:

  • Bring Harry Houdini and The Grim Game to life so that we will all feel like we have seen the movie
  • Plan to present all the evidence and research gathered to date one blog at a time
  • Evidence and research will consist of Exhibits (ads, newspaper articles, press clippings, lobby stills, lobby cards, related links, blogs, posters, eBay, books, etc…)

Well, now that just about everyone has seen The Grim Game (TGG), it’s time for a slightly modified mission statement:

  • Bring Harry Houdini and his movies to life so that we will all feel like we have seen them in their entirety with no parts missing.

I plan to focus on the following two Houdini Movies that have parts missing:

  • Terror Island (TI)
  • Master Mystery (MM)

TI MM 001Although my focus will be on TI and MM, I also have plans for the following:

  • Share parts of an Original Story and Screen Play for a Houdini Film that was never made
  • Share parts of the Original Grim Game Story by Arthur B. Reeves & John W. Grey before the screenwriter and continuity writer put their take on the story

In addition to movies, I am also planning to focus on:

  • Houdini’s connection with Lovecraft and Eddy

And whatever else sparks my interest.

A Look Back at 2015, Part II – Other Highlights

2015 was an amazing year for Harry Houdini Circumstantial Evidence (HHCE) because it was the year of the Grim Game, but also for the following other highlights:

Shared a couple paraphrased parts of the not widely known story treatment titled:  HOUDINI THE GREAT by Frank O’Connor and Dore Schary, dated January 3, 1936:

Buzz Saw HoudiniDo Spirits Return

Pearsons Weekly Week Ending Oct 15 1908

Discovered and shared some fascinating information on the famous Mirror Handcuff Challenge which included locating the original article with the identity of the Mirror Representative:

William Bennet the MirrorRep and HHNYPL image of Will A Bennet

Shared a not widely known story and some correspondence about Houdini and Ponzi Gwynne, the chicken that Jack Gwynne gave to Houdini, then back to Jack and finally to Hardeen:

Jack Gwynne performing the Chicken TrickRialtoTh-159x300

Shared full reports about my amazing Houdini travels and adventures to PA, NY, and SF:

Dietrich-and-Brookz-with-Houdinis-Vest-Houdini-Museum-Scranton-PA-640x8531351164

Shared some evidence that Houdini set up roadshows with other magicians to promote The Man From Beyond.

Genesta and TMFB Pittella Collection AGenesta Pittella Collection A

Shared some thoughts and answers to the following questions:

Ernst houdiniEarly HH and Doyle pastiche - Arthur MosesLastTrickedSpiritPhoto

Shared information on some of Houdini’s not widely known literary work:

wideworldmagazin13londuoft_0410wideworldmagazin13londuoft_0414 (1)

Shared some thoughts on trying to date some famous Houdini Photo’s

Harry_Houdini-sitting10DCwithHoudiniPhoto_zps7986e002-1-300x234HH Postcard Around 1904HRC 1904 photoFrank Koval photo1900 Photo signed 1906

Shared some info and behind the scenes shots of where the underwater footage of the Master Mystery was filmed, as well as some amazing publicity cards:

Seeing is Believing Picture 435080989_8_l

Shared some very interesting info on Houdini’s Last Interview he gave during the week of October 18-23, 1926 when he was performing at the Princess Theatre, Montreal Canada.  The interview took place in the same dressing room where Houdini got punched in the stomach:

Houdini Last Newspaper Interview October 1926 Montreal Daily Star

Honored Mom’s, Dad’s and Veterans:

The_Ogden_Standard_Tue__Nov_11__1919_

Shared some amazing photos of Houdini with his leading ladies from his movies:

HVD Leading Lady Image 1a298-82 snippetHVD Leady Lady Image 5

Last but not least, I was blessed with another beautiful granddaughter.

Baby Photo taken by Houdini

Image courtesy of Houdini and John Hinson

I look forward to 2016 where HHCE will shift its focus from The Grim Game to some other areas.

Stay tuned!

A Look Back at 2015, Part 1 – The Year of The Grim Game

GrimGameTitleBrookzDietrich

Two of the people who were key to opening that lock! Copyright Houdini Museum

 

Thanks to the efforts of Dorothy Dietrich & Dick Brookz of the Houdini Museum and their long-time friendship with Larry Weeks and their acquaintance with film producer Rick Schmidlin, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) acquired the Larry Weeks print of Houdini’s 1919 feature, The Grim Game (TGG). Fred Pittella (Larry Weeks best friend) was also an essential part of the recovery of TGG. The recovered movie underwent a full restoration and had its world-premiere at the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood on March 29th with a live score conducted by composer Brane Zivkovic. It was then shown in places like Wisconsin (Apr 16), Michigan (May 28), Pennsylvania (Jun 13, Jul 2), Texas (Jul 19), Finland (Aug 21), Scotland (Aug 22, 23), Illinois (Sept 16), New York (Sept 16), and England (Oct 11), before it was aired on the TCM network (Oct 18) with alternate scores, one by Brane Zivkovic and another by Steve Sterner.  And then as a grand finale, in November, John Bengtson, “the great detective of silent film locations,” revealed many of the Grim Game filming locations and historic LA landmarks.

the-grim-game-and-cops_page_08 (2)Cahuenga alley harrythe-grim-game-and-cops_page_17 (1)

[Harbour Apartments at 612 St. Paul Street; The Cahuenga alley; Bergstrom Estate 590 N. Vermont]

So 2015 was an amazing year for Harry Houdini Circumstantial Evidence (HHCE) because it was the year of the Grim Game.

Part I will cover the TGG highlights from HHCE and Part II will cover the other highlights from HHCE.

Let’s get started. The Houdini news that I had been waiting years to hear finally arrived on January 23rd, 2015 in a press release from TCM:

298-14-239x300Ann Forrest Houdini Historical Center298-15 001

GrimGameScrantonTimes1Trim1-435x1024This was followed by a number of other press releases in February and March:

Conservation_g-game-loop-croppedthegrimgame-Arthur-Moses-Image

Then one week away from the premier of The Grim Game at the 2015 TCM Film Classic, HHCE shared a different Grim Game productions still each day leading up to the event on March 29, 2015:

298-55-236x300MHL-298-3-300x267298-48

In April, shared my review of The Grim Game and the Festivities in Hollywood:

photo-28-A-225x300GG AM Gift Bag Photo of Contents 001 Aphoto (23)

In June, HHCE and TGG went to Scranton:Scranton-Welcomes-Joe-Notaro-1024x766

image877-300x225HoudiniMuseumGrimGameJune1

In July, TGG screens at a Magic Convention Once Again:

20640674_1_l-228x300Backstage_SAM_logo

In October, The Grim Game made its television debut, but was first shown privately and publicly in August 1919:

MUM-New-York-August-1919-page-17Houdini%20Grim%20Game%201%20ggtcm

Throughout the year, there were a number of posts on TGG music:

BraneScore_TheGrimmGame-300x200-300x200GG Musical Ensemble and Runtime 001A1919 Musical Synopsis TGGGrimGameMainTheme50SternerGrimGame153 Videos with new Piano Score

Other highlights on TGG included a series on Houdini Grim Game Cards throughout the years:

1920-Kinema-Comic-InsertGGPB Lobby Cards 200 001 AHH-Superhero-Card-21-002-300x204Weird TalesTheWonderWallet-1975-GG-cards-300x209houdini sketch cards gorman 298-47

And sharing a number of posts related to the Aeroplane incident:

Kennedy Forrest Thompson Pickup Wilson WillatPopular Mechanics Nov 1919 page 642Pickup Thompson Kennedy HoudiniThompson Upside Down Plane 001aimageRobert-Kennedy-After-Collision-300x241

What a year for TGG, now if we could just get a DVD:

image

Photo Credits:

  • TGG film location images courtesy of John Cox and John Bengston
  • TGG Still images courtesy of A.M.P.A.S
  • TGG Movie Set image and TGG Souvenir Set image courtesy of Arthur Moses
  • B&W Aeroplane images courtesy of Cecil B. Demille Trust
  • Steve Sterner photo, TGG piano music, and Scranton Press release courtesy of Houdini Museum

The Grim Game hits San Francisco

San_Francisco_Chronicle_Thu__Oct_9__1919_ (1)

Click to enlarge

Although the Grim Game was first shown privately and publicly in August 1919, it was not officially released until October 12, 1919. And that’s when it first appeared in San Francisco with live orchestra music on October 12, 1919 at the Portola Theatre located at corner of Market Street and 4th.

96 years later, December 5th at 3pm, you can see the restored film with live piano music by Donald Sosin at the San Francisco Film Festival at the Castro Theatre located at 429 Castro Street at Market Street.  You can buy a full day pass to “A Day of Silents” or an individual ticket to “The Grim Game”.

TGG CASTRO THEATRE SF 001

I highly recommend seeing it on big screen.  I was fortunate enough to see the TCM premier in Hollywood on a big screen with live orchestra music, as well as on a big screen at the Houdini Museum.  Two amazing experiences that I will never forget.

Check it out in S.F.!

You’ll enjoy it thoroughly.

Bonus:

San_Francisco_Chronicle_Mon__Oct_13__1919_

San Francisco Chronicle Oct 13, 1919 Page 5

Private Showing of The Grim Game In New York

 

MUM-New-York-August-1919-page-17

Last month when The Grim Game made its Television debut on TCM, I mentioned that it originally made its debut at the B.S. Moss Broadway Theatre in New York City on August 25th, 1919.  Well prior to its original debut, Houdini gave a private showing in NYC, which I promised to comment on.

The following passage is excerpted verbatim, even to the punctuation from a private letter WRT to a private showing of The Grim Game on August 18th, 1919:

Monday night 8 o’clock shapr [sic] there will be a private show of my latest picture The Grim Game which will be shown only to a few chosen magic friends before the regular trade showing and if you have desire to see same would like to have pleasure of having you attend.  Takes place at the production room of Lasky Famous Players offices, 400 [485] Fifth Ave near 42nd St. Monday August 17th [Note: Monday was really August 18th] Tried to get you twice on phone and no answer. Regards sincerely yours Houdini. [The Houdini Code Mystery by William V. Rauscher, page 106]

Note:  Koval places the private showing at 485 Fifth Avenue, which was the address of the corporate main office right across from the New York Public Library.

Aug 18 – A private showing of “The Grim Game” is given to Houdini’s chosen friends at the Lasky Famous Players Offices at 485 Fifth Avenue, New York City.

The Society of American Magicians officially endorsed The Grim Game at this private showing:

The endorsement was given at a private showing of the picture for the members of the society in New York, which was attended by Messrs. Houdini, Howard Thurston, Francis E. Werner, G.G. Laurenz, Hardeen, William J. Hilliar and about forty others.

…

After the showing,  Mr. Howard Thurston said: “I have always thought Houdini was a great showman, but I expected nothing like this.  It leaves nothing undone.  Houdini may now retire, confident that he has done his greatest work.  It is one of the most wonderful things I have ever seen”.  At the conclusion of Mr. Thurston’s speech, Oscar S. Teale, Secretary of the S.A.M. said:

“Gentlemen, I move that the Society of American Magicians pronounce the picture a glowing success, worthy of highest commendation, and that it go forth as officially endorsed by this society.”

[The Sphinx, September 1919]

Bonus:

According to a 17 September 1919 New York Clipper article, the Famous Players also had New York City offices at 428 Fifth avenue, 729 Seventh avenue and at 469 Fifth avenue, but at the termination of the leases, the company will use the entire front of the Putman Building [at Forty-Third street and Broadway] for its offices:

NY Clipper 17 Sep 1919 Putnam Bldg To Become Theatre

Houdini Stanhope Lens Viewers

HH Sustained Flight Description 001

Houdini is generally acknowledged as the first man to fly a plane in Australia. He made the historic flight just north of Melbourne in 1910. Two variants of a Stanhope miniature brass telescope were manufactured to commemorate the historic event and are quite rare.

Stanhope Lens Viewer Diggers RestHoudini Stanhope Viewer

Houdini collector, Joseph Gargano is now offering a viewer which is a reproduction of the Stanhope made to commemorate Houdini’s first flight over Australia. It comes in a beautiful wood box engraved with Houdini’s signature on the lid. This piece alone has sold for $195 and is now available for $105 which will just allow Joseph to recoup the cost of production, and get some money to The Houdini Museum in Scranton for the continued maintenance of Houdini’s grave.

Stanhope Lens Viewer Interior View

Looking through this novelty lens reveals an image of Houdini making his historic flight at Digger’s Rest in Australia. Here, he is pictured both in mid-flight in his biplane, and a separate posed close-up shows Houdini behind the controls of the plane.

For questions, purchases and shipping rates, contact Joseph Gargano at conjuringhh@optonline.net.

Stanhope Lens Viewer Grim Game

Joseph also offers a quality brass mini viewer with embedded lens showing an image from The Grim Game reproduced from an original glass plate negative in the Joseph Gargano collection. It comes in a small film can with Grim Game advertising image on the lid.  While supplies last, this viewer is offered as part of a larger Commemorative Set that is released in two very limited editions (Standard and Deluxe).  See John Cox site for details of The Grim Game Commemorative Set.

Standard Edition

The Grim Game Standard Edition

Deluxe Edition

The Grim Game Deluxe Edition