During my visit to the McCord Museum, I was fortunate enough to have read a compilation (April 24, 1920 v1 n1 to June 5^th 1920 v1 n7) of “The Amazing Exploits of Houdini” found in The Kinema Comic.

1. The Bride & The Orangutan.
2. The Jewel Thieves.
3. “Stop Thief!
4. The Gold Melters.
5. Adventure of the Midland Express.
6. In The Dead of Night.
7. Out of The Sky.

Each issue contains a several page serialized fictional story (by-lined by Houdini). This week I share my paraphrased version of “The Bride & The Orangutan” found in the April 24 1920 v1 n1 issue:

A car on the wrong-side of the road with blinding headlights is bearing down on Houdini, as he jumps up in the air and lands on the hood of the vehicle. The driver who appeared to be up to no good, yells that he can’t stop and that Houdini will have to jump for it. Houdini climbs over the short door of the driver’s compartment and grips the man around the throat, but is confronted by another man with a gun. Houdini gets the driver’s body between him and the gun and discovers the man holding it was not the only occupant in the cab. With him was another man and girl. After a struggle, Houdini receives a blow to the head and then is drugged with chloroform.

When Houdini gains consciousness, he is lying on the floor of a room, bound hand and foot. He hears the sound of rushing water, accompanied by the grind of some machinery. He also smells a distasteful odour, that reminds him of his old circus days. But then he hears someone breathing heavily in the opposite corner of the room. He his pleasantly surprised it’s the girl from the car.

She tells Houdini he should not have exposed himself to danger and that now they are both trapped and helpless now.

Houdini rolls over on his side and within thirty seconds he his free. She remarks that not even Houdini could have gotten out of those ropes any quicker that you did.

Houdini lets her know that he is Houdini. She tells him that she is Mary, the third daughter of the Countess of Millingham and this morning is her wedding and she doesn’t see much chance of getting away in time for the ceremony. She has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom by the men that kidnapped her. Three weeks ago, the men wrote to her father, threatening this action on her wedding, unless he paid them a sum of five thousand pounds. Leaving the theatre last night, she got abducted in the car, and then Houdini came to her rescue.

Houdini asks where they are; and Mary replies somewhere in Surry, perhaps thirty miles out of London. WRT building, Mary imagines that it is some vacant mill and ask if Houdini can hear the water-wheel.

After freeing Mary, Houdini starts to walk toward the window as possible means of escape, when suddenly the boards beneath him give way and Houdini feels himself fall. Houdini manages to grasp the side of the floor. Searching for a foothold on the walls of the well, Houdini gradually muscles himself up to the surface of the floor.

The window was no longer an option, which only left one other exit and that was the door. Near the top of the door was a square hole about six inches across, and heavily barred. Houdini hoisted himself up until he could look through and discovered the cause of the peculiar odour. Crouched up against the wall furthest from the door was a huge orangutan that watched Houdini’s every movement.

Taking the ropes that they had been bound in, Houdini used one to tie his keys to the end, lower it through the grill, and by so doing managed to pull it underneath the bottom of the door. A loop was thus formed, which he maneuvered until he had it fastened on the bolt. The door was then easily opened.

The beast sprang forward and into the room toward Houdini’s neck. Houdini jumped to one side and the beast went toppling down to its death as it hit the water wheel.

Houdini took Mary’s hand and together they rushed out the door down the stairs to the car which had very nearly run over Houdini the previous night.

It was 4:30 in the morning and the wedding didn’t start until 11:30. Houdini started the car and off they went to the police station. A squad car went off right away and captured the whole lot in beds.

Mary looked well as a bride.

Tomorrow marks the day that Houdini first performed the Water Torture Cell. It was April 29, 1911 that Houdini performed the escape in South Hampton, as part of a 1 act play with 2 scenes called Challenged or Houdini Upside Down.

So today, I thought I would share the actual challenge from the play:

Dear Sir,

We the undersigned members of the Eccentric Club, hereby challenge you to escape from the aquarium we have in the lounge-room at our clubhouse, into which we intend to place, you, under the following conditions:

First of all, we have constructed a lid or cover, to fit over this aquarium, which separates in the middle, as per drawing herewith:

This cover will be fitted with four locks, such as are used on traveling trunks, with long brass hasps. We intend locking your feet in this cover, after which we place around this cover a metal square so that, even if the locks were opened, you could not possibly release your feet.

On this metal square we will have rings placed and, after we have you securely locked into this cover, we will place two locks in these rings, fastened to a cable and, with the aid of derrick or winch, we will hoist you up into the air, turn you in an upside-down position, and place you over the aquarium.

We will then lower you down into the aquarium, head first. Excluding the possibility of your breathing when under water, we will proceed to lock the lid down to the aquarium at each corner, making use of our locks and as many of these as we see fit.

We will allow you make use of any covering or drapery you wish, and allow you in this way to conceal your methods of escape.

In the event of any accident occurring which will prevent your making your escape, we are not to be held responsible for this accident in any shape or form.

If you manage to release yourself and make your escape, we stand willing to pay the sum of L1,000 which we have deposited as a side-bet. You may attempt this feat either publicly or privately, as you see fit. We demand the right to select our own committee, and you can select a like number of gentlemen to represent you.

Trusting to hear from you, we remain

I find the description of the first Water Torture Cell and cover with a metal square placed around it very interesting.

I wonder what happened to this prototype?

Special Thanks to George Goebel for sharing the play with illustrations during our very special visit.

Note: The one act play and its two scenes can be read in its entirety in Patrick Culliton’s excellent books, Houdini’s Strange Tales (collection of fiction by the legendary Harry Houdini) and Houdini – the Key.

Bonus:A one of a kind broadside for this challenge sold at Potter & Potter Auction yesterday.

I recently have come across two Chicago Footlights Theatre Magazines with Harry Houdini:

• September 1903
• June & July 1904

And thought I would share some snippets.

The first one is Volume 1, Number 3 for September 1903 that I found on eBay. It prints a letter Harry Houdini had written from Moscow, Russia on July 25, 1903.  The Houdini letter appears on page 8 and takes up about 2/3 of a column and is addressed “My Dear Old Pal”. The letter describes the great success “Harry Money Houdini” was having in Russia which he describes as “…the biggest sensation ever made in Russia”. Houdini also reports that he “… had sent more money home from this country in four months, than any other country in ten.”

 

A LETTER FROM MOSCOW, RUSSIA

Follow’s a letter from The Great Houdini. It speaks for itself. He is a wonderful little man and all America wishes him continued success.

Moscow, Russian, July 25, 1903

My Dear Old Pal: Seeing your life’s history in Clipper, also when you were captured and your released put me in mind that it would be proper to drop you a few lines, an as to let you know that we are still in the land of the living, and have managed to keep out of the clutches of the law even up to this late day.

Have made the biggest sensation ever made in Russia and have sent more money home from this country in four months, than from any country in ten.

Why, I do not know but nevertheless it may come in handy some day, when they will refuse to book Harry Money Houdini.

April 27^th, I managed to break out of the M Siberian Transportation Cell, and that is what started the salary list rifling sky high. So you see that even though we are doing the old act, we are doing a new act getting money.

From what I hear from Chicago every once in a while, I hear that you are away up on top!

Am greatly pleased to hear of this, and trust that you will keep the good work up.

…

It may interest you know that I was speaking Russian like a Turk. When I return to America, I think I will open a small Education of Domestic School of Languages for I have had to speak my introductions in no less than eight languages.

Magical news is very scarce, so can’t tell you of anything that would interest you. Will share with kindest regards and best wishes to you and Mrs. In which my Mrs heartily praise, I remain as ever your friend.

H. HOUDINI

My bookings three months ahead so in case you had time drop me a line. Month of September, Circus Carre, Groningen Holland

Month of October, Central Theatre, Dresden Germany, after that we return to England

…

The second one is Volumes 1 & 2 for June & July 1904 that I found at the McCord Museum.

And the article on Harry Houdini appears on page 4 and takes up about 2/3 of a column. The article describes a man who became “successful” and yet “was not too busy to run all the way from New York to Chicago to see his friends and reward his benefactors of other times.”

HARRY HOUDINI

Houdini like a soft summer zephyr off the lake on a torrid day, blew into our sun burnt city, from over the seas, a few days ago, and did as much good, and was the cause of as much joy to many of his old acquaintances, as one should suspect a ministering seraph to do and for a suffering soul about to depart this earthy fever. Success is a mighty fine sensation. All of us can become accustomed to adversity, but few ever learn to bear upon them lightly the mantle of prosperity. Houdini is as natural in the role of a rich man all covered over with success and diamonds as he was in the poor struggling days when together we sold Hostetter’s almanacs for magic books in Mr. Hedge’s museum.

Harry has purchased with the good old coin he made by slipping out of handcuffs, $40,000 worth of New York municipal bonds at 4 per cent, and owns a large flat building in New York which yields him enough to buy ten dollars worth of ham and eggs at every meal for life, no matter how long the strike keeps up. Softly, — Harry sought and found all his old friends who treated him kindly in the bleak hours, and one particularly, who had slipped down the greasy way to uselessness — a good man, intelligent, and at one time a worthy, respectable citizen, but who tried to drink up all the whiskey in Chicago, — (he is too sincere and honest and old man to mention his name, —) Houdini found this old acquaintance who, with tears in his eyes, sobbed out his thanks as he was dressed up in new underwear, shoes, socks, ties, suit, hat, gloves, shirts, —everything,— was given a modest little roll to tide him over and because why, — because he had been kind one day to a hard working man who did tricks for a living and who meant  to succeed and did. All honor to him. We wish he had a bank full of money. Houdini who never called himself “great” but is. Remember the name, Harry Houdini, —an actor—a magician,—a success,—a man. Above all the man who was not too busy to run all the way from New York to Chicago to see his friends and reward his benefactors of other times. Remember his name Harry Houdini,—handcuff king.

Kenneth Silverman published photo (above) of Houdini waving a checkered flag in some auto race [???] in his Notes to Houdini! on page 179.

So where was this photograph taken?

• [A] Worcester, MA
• [B] Montreal, Canada
• [C] Detroit, MI
• [D] None of the above

Let’s explore each of the possible answers.

[A] The caption under the photo in Silverman’s Notes reads as follows:

Inscribed on the back by N.J. Weiss, Houdini’s sister-in-law: “Worcester, Mass, King, driver, last picture of Harry, 1926″.

Well, Houdini performed in Worcester September of 1926, he did the Buried Alive on stage at Worcester Opera House (the week of 9/27), Submerged casket test at YMCA pool (9/28) and Sealed casket test at Summerfield’s (9/30).

So, was there an auto race in town? So far, I haven’t found any evidence. The New England Fair was in town, but it featured horse racing from 9/28 to 9/30.

However, I did find out via an October 7, 1934 photo (above), that the first name of the driver was Bob. [Source: Dirt Track Auto Racing, 1919-1941 A pictorial history by Don Radbruch]

[B] Per an Oct 19, 1926 letter (McCord Museum) addressed to Houdini at Princess Theatre, Montreal:

Would you be interested in an automobile “stunt” for a display ad, to be run by the manufacturer of the motor? It would probably simply mean a picture in [by] the car.

Well, Houdini performed in Montreal from October 18^th to October 23^rd, he got punched (10/22) in dressing room of theatre and left Montreal (10/23) on the 11 pm overnight train (where is appendix burst on the way) to Detroit.

So, was there an auto race in town?  No, apparently the only early racing was in 1917 and 1918 at Deslormiers Park in Montreal. [Source: Don Radbruch]

[C] Per December 2008 Genii Thread, Houdini’s Last Photograph:

The photo was given to niece Marie Blood by Bess Houdini [and] Marie was led to believe it was that final (show) date in Detroit.

Well, Houdini performed that final show, October 24, 1926 at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit. The show was supposed to start at 8:30pm, but didn’t start until about 9pm.

So, was there an auto race in town?  The answer is Yes.  According to the 1926 AAA Championship Car Season Schedule and results, The Detroit 100 was run on October 24^th at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Speedway. But, would Houdini squeeze an appearance at an auto race in his condition before his evening show.

Or is it [D] none of the above. The car has Shenandoah printed on it.

According to Wikipedia:

Oh Shenandoah, the song appears to have originated with Canadian and American voyagers or fur traders traveling down the Missouri River in canoes

Shenandoah is a town in Virginia [hot spot for fairground auto races], but there was also a Shenandoah in other places like New York.

Well, Houdini was in New York from October 10^th to October 17^th. At the time, New York was also a hot spot for fairground auto races. So…?

Conclusion:

All of this said, we still don’t have the smoking gun.

But we did learn about a possible automobile “stunt”, the first name of the driver in the car, and that there was a auto race in Detroit on October 24^th.

For now, we’ll have to go with [A] Worcester, MA, but would like to see some more evidence, besides the inscription on the back of the photo, supposedly written by N.J. Weiss, Houdini’s sister-in-law. I am not aware of a sister-in-law with that name; He had a brother, named Nathaniel Josef Weiss, who married a Sadie Glanz Weiss. Sadie divorced Nathan and married Houdini’s brother Leopold. So was it Nat [brother], Sadie [sister-in-law] or someone else related to Houdini who wrote the inscription on the  photo.

Thoughts?

Related:

• Near Death Photo

Our friends, Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz, of the Houdini Museum in Scranton share the following Houdini News with us:

1) Dorothy Dietrich on Mysteries At The Museum:

• Scared to Death episode airs again on the Travel Channel, Wednesday April 17th at 7pm | 6c

2) Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz on Night-Light with Host Mark Eddy. They discuss the legacy of Houdini which includes his friendship with the T. Nelson Downs, the Daily Mirror Challenge, possible new info (to be revealed at a later date) on how Harry got his name and more.

3) A new Mason Blog with an article on Harry Houdini

• Harry Houdini The Masonic Magician

4) Two part series about a Hopewell man’s (Professor William Dunlop Tait) connection to Harry Houdini. You may recall that Prof. Tait invited Houdini to Lecture on Fraudulent Mediums at McGill and commented that he Looked Deathly at Lecture.

• The Hopewell professor and Houdini’s mysterious death – Part 1
• The Hopewell professor and Houdini’s mysterious death – Part 2 [Note: The photo is from a movie short and not of Harry Houdini performing at the Princess Theatre]

In 2007, the above photo was listed on eBay with a starting price of $1,250 and ended with no bids. The auction described the photo as taken in a “University area in Canada” shortly before Houdini gave a lecture there.  But we know the photo is actually Houdini posing outside the White House in Washington D.C. [Source: WAH]

I recently saw this photo during my trip to the McCord Museum. So, technically, the photo is in the “University area in Canada”, lol.

In addition to its location, I can also add that this International Newsreel photo was used 10-25-26 with the caption, HOUDINI: NEAR DEATH:

So, one can see how you could be misled that this was his last photo.

In honor of Houdini’s Birthday, thought I would light some candles and share a beautiful photo of Houdini doing a card manipulation late in his career, courtesy of the McCord Museum.

Houdini would feature card flourishes in his 3 Shows In 1.

While I wish we could say this photo is from the Princess Theatre, Montreal October 1926, it appears to be a non-cropped still from a movie short Houdini made earlier (1925/26). See below for comparison.

For more info on the Card Flourishes movie, please see the following post:

• The Houdini card manipulation movie mystery deepens, by John Cox at WAH

In the future, I plan to share some new info on a couple more 1926 photos

• Houdini Near Death Photo
• Houdini Checkered Flag Photo

Pages 12 to 14 cover Houdini’s crusade against Fake Mediums.

Related:

• Houdini Souvenir Program Variants – 1925-26 season
• Houdini Souvenir Program Variants – 1926-27 season
• Houdini Souvenir Program Season 1926-27 p 9-11

On March 3^rd, I watched The Travel Channel’s Mysteries At The Museum Episode, Scared to Death and More, that featured Dorothy Dietrich discussing how Houdini died. The segment was a little over 8 minutes.

The gist of the clip was that Houdini was getting better from the surgery to remove his ruptured appendix until injected with an experimental serum (possibly poison) by a mysterious Dr. Levevre (with possible ties to spiritualism).

This theme (serum may have been poison) was chosen by the show, which meant most of the other things Dorothy touched on did not make the cut.

FWIW: Kalush’s book, Secret Life of Houdini, calls Dr Lefevre “…a post-operative specialist…” and also states that he “…was a homeopathist who had devised an experimental serum to combat the poisons circulating through Houdini’s G.I. tract.”  And according to Kalush, Le Roi Crandon, had a confederate inject Houdini with that serum in Detroit, and it was meant to kill him, not cure him.

All of this said, I am not aware of any link between Crandon and Dr. Lefevre, but the Travel Channel suggests Lefevre had ties to Spiritualism.

You can read the NY times articles (10/26, 10/27, 10/28) that cover George L. Lefevre of Muskegon, Michigan and Houdini’s condition that final week (10/25 – 11/1) at Tom Interval’s excellent website:

• http://www.houdinimuseum.org/articles/25-26.html

Pages 9 to 11 cover Houdini’s crusade against Rahman Bey, the fakir.

Next week, I will share Pages 12 to 14 which cover Houdini’s crusade against fake mediums.

Related:

• Houdini Souvenir Program Variants – 1925-26 season
• Houdini Souvenir Program Variants – 1926-27 season