Recently came across this embedded video at Historic Films – The Society of American Magicians:
which shows Houdini performing some card manipulations in San Francisco 1920?
This footage has been previously described as Marvels of Motion (aka Houdini in “VELVET FINGERS”) a short from 1925/26. However, we know that Pathe released a serial titled “Velvet Fingers” on December 5, 1920:
So, can we infer this card manipulation footage is actually from 1920 and not 1925/26?
The title card in the video clip says “Magic in SAN FRANCISCO 1920 Courtesy Jesse A. Mueller” and the S.A.M. caption on the site for the video, says Houdini performing some card manipulations in San Francisco.
Well, its highly unlikely this is Houdini in 1920 performing live in SF since AFAIK, he only visited SF in 1899, 1907, 1915, 1923 and 1924.
And FWIW, Jesse A. Mueller was a SF magician, S.A.M. member, knew Houdini and was President of the Sphinx Magazine in 1920.
With that said, can that still be Houdini on the screen in a 1920 short or serial? or is that an older Houdini?
Thoughts!
Bonus:
Moving Picture World May 30 1925 Marvels of Motion Issue C
Great find!
I’m skeptical of the 1920 date. As you say, HH wasn’t anywhere near San Francisco in 1920, and that looks like full evening show era Harry to me. I think that card header was added later. Film-wise it looks like something from the 30s or 40s. But very cool to see some of this footage at speed. Thanks!
I am leaning toward Marvels of Motion, Issue C (1925) – IMDb. See review in the May 30, 1925 issue of Moving Picture World in the bonus above.
Agree. I think this footage originated as part of the 1925 Marvels in Motion short and was then featured on its own as Velvet Fingers in 1926. But we also have footage of HH in a suit doing slow motion manipulations. This kinda throws a monkey wrench into the theory. Could the suit footage have been Marvels in Motion and HH took the idea and reshot it for Velvet Fingers in his tux? Or even the other way around?
Based on clippings with descriptions of Marvels of Motion and Velvet Fingers, I don’t think the footage in the suit with a “coin” and cards has anything to do with the 1925 Marvels pf Motion Issue C that was released 96 years ago today, March 1, 1925. And I believe the Marvels of Motion short was featured on its own as Velvet Fingers in 1926.