100 Year Anniversary – B.S. Moss Broadway Theatre Screening

Posted on August 25, 2019 by hhce

One Hundred years ago, The Grim Game made its debut at the B.S. Moss Broadway on August 25^th, 1919.

To celebrate, I am sharing the front and back of a program from the opening:

100 Year Anniversary – Private Showing of The Grim Game In New York

Posted on August 18, 2019 by hhce

One Hundred Years ago, Houdini gave a private showing in NYC.

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 18^th, 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 42^nd St. Monday August 17^th [Note: Monday was really August 18^th] 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:

Next week:

100 Year Anniversary – B.S. Moss Broadway Theatre Screening

100 Year Anniversary – M U M SAM Monthly

Posted on August 11, 2019 by hhce

This month marks the 100 Year Anniversary of the Society of American Magicians endorsing The Grim Game. To celebrate, thought I would share some interesting things from my personal copy of the Magic—Unity—Might M U M The Society of Americans Magicians Monthly Vol 9 No. 3 New York August 1919.

The first is a photo of Dean Kellar, Wizard of Wizards, Irvin W. Willat, Wizard of the Camera, who directed “The Grim Game”, and Houdini, Wizard of Escape. This picture was taken while Dean Kellar was visiting the studio during the picturization of the great story.