Larry Weeks, the man who called himself “Houdini’s biggest fan”, passed away on October 13 at age 95. He was buried October 24, at Machpelah Cemetery in Queens, not far from Houdini’s grave just as he wished. The Official Houdini Séance in Danvers MA will pay tribute to Larry Weeks tonight on Halloween, the 88th anniversary of Houdini’s death.

Unfortunately, I missed my chance to meet Larry.

He was supposed to come to the Official Séance in 2012 in Fort Worth that I attended, but that was the week of Hurricane Sandy and his travel plans had to be canceled.

In 1981, I became a member of the Society American Magicians Southern California Assembly #22:

A short business meeting was held, and part of it was the third reading vote acceptance of Joe Notaro as a new member.  He is a student of Houdiniana and brought part of his collection in for exhibition.  He has photos, programs, posters, old and new books, and items of escapology. [MUM Volume 71 1982]

Had I lived in New York instead of Southern California at the time I became a member of the S.A.M., I may have met Larry and seen a showing of the Grim Game at “Houdini night” that he produced for Parent Assembly No. 1 in New York City:

The Oct 2 [1981] meeting of the Parent Assembly was truly inspirational.  A vast gathering of members, friends and guests met for “Houdini Night”, produced by Larry Weeks. Before the evening’s entertainment however, it was announced that the annual service at Houdini’s grave site will be held on Nov. 1^st this year.

…

In keeping with the “Houdini Night” theme, Larry Weeks introduced those present who were friends, acquaintances, or scholars of Houdini.  These included: Sidney Radner, Mrs. Billie Dunninger, Dr. Joseph Fries, and Dr. Morris Young. [And Milbourne Christopher and Walter B. Gibson who each gave a talk and shared Houdini memories]

…

Larry displayed a miniature pair of Darby cuffs, which Houdini actually had made for his dog, Bobby, to slip out of.  The only escape dog.

…

Larry Weeks presented the entire film, “The Grim Game” Houdini’s first feature length film.  Although not an accomplished actor by any standards, Houdini’s skill and presentation were intriguing to watch.

A wonderful evening – thanks to Larry Weeks, Milbourne Christopher, Walter B. Gibson, Parent Assembly, and most of all Houdini

[MUM Volume 71 1982]

Have a Great Houdini Night!

H A P P Y  H A L L O W E E N !

Addendum:  In 1986, after a broken wand ceremony conducted at Houdini’s grave at Machpelah Cemetery in New York, on October 31^st, Larry Weeks gave a lecture on Houdini and showed “The Grim Game” at the Glendale Public Library which is a short distance from the cemetery. [The Magic Circular Vol. 80 1986]

Sphinx Sept 15, 1919 v18n7

Many of us have been wondering what ever happened to Larry Weeks copy of “The Grim Game”.

As far as I know, it hasn’t been seen publicly since the 1980s:

• The Grim Game last seen in Allentown sixty years after Houdini’s Last Message to the American Public

Well, that could all change in the near future.  See Kevin Connolly’s post for more information.

• There Will Be No Fighting Over The Grim Game…Period!

Tomorrow, I will do a post about almost viewing the Grim Game at “Houdini Night” in 1981

Update: John Oliver was told 4 copies were made of The Grim Game and are now in private collections. Apparently a friend of John Oliver’s said he saw it last year at a home out east, and that after Larry Weeks passed they were to be made available.

As promised from my post last week, here is a photo of Houdini sweeping a Hollywood starlet off her feet.

At the time this levitation photo was created, Wanda Hawley, was working on the production of “Told in the HIlls” at the Famous Players-Lasky studio in Hollywood, while Houdini was working on “The Grim Game” in Stage 4.

Wanda Hawley (a.k.a. Wanda Petit), (July 30, 1895 – March 18, 1963) was a veteran of the silent screen films era. She entered the theatrical profession with an amateur group in Seattle, and later toured the U.S. and Canada as a singer. She co-starred with Rudolph Valentino in the 1922’s The Young Rajah, and rose to stardom in a number of Cecil B. DeMille and director Sam Wood’s films.

Hawley was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, but together with her family moved to Seattle, Washington, when she was a child. She received her education in Seattle.

Hawley made her screen debut with the Fox Film Corporation and after playing with them for eight months joined Famous Players-Lasky and appeared as leading lady for Douglas Fairbanks, in Mr. Fix-It (1918)

She had also appeared opposite William S. Hart, Charlie Ray, Bryant Washburn, Wally Reid and others. She was five feet three inches high, weighed a hundred and ten pounds, and had blond hair and greyish blue eyes. She was an able sportswoman.

With the advent of sound, Hawley’s career ended, and she reportedly was working as a call girl in San Francisco by the early 1930s. She is interred in the Abbey of Psalms in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, CA.

Sources:

• The Moving Picture World
• Wikipedia.org