My interest in Magic and Harry Houdini started at the age of 12 in 1975. The first 20 years (1975 to 1995) of this passion can be summarized below in a snippet from the actual application, I submitted to become a Magician Member at the Academy of Magical Arts (aka Magic Castle) in 1995:
Circumstantial Evidence Exhibits:
- Houdini Book Report (1976): Houdini – Master of Escape
- Houdini – The Untold Story Dust Jacket Design (1976): Front Cover Back Cover
- Houdini Essay (1979): Houdini’s Full Evening Show
- Houdini/Magic Project (1980): Enjoyment of Literature on Magic and Harry Houdini
- Houdini Room (1981): Photos
- SAM (1981): SAM Certificate of Membership Membership Card
- Houdini Speech (1987): Houdini’s Other Claims to Fame
- Church Magic Show (1992): 15 Card Miracle
- Magic Castle (1992): Associate Member Card
- Magic Lessons for Kids (1994): Class Descriptions
- Illusions of Joe Magic (1995): Flyer
- IBM (1995): IBM Certificate of Membership Membership Card
- CSUF (1995): Certificate in Magic: The Performance Art
- HHC (1995): Houdini Historical Center Membership Card
- Magic Castle (1995): Magician Member Card
The next 5 years (1996 to 2000), I continued to collect Houdini and actively perform Magic. I taught magic classes in 1996 and 1997. Also, was able to take the family to Appleton Wisconsin in 1998. Participated in Southern California Association of Magicians (SCAM) competitions in 1999 and 2000.
- Magic Classes (1996 – 1997): Magic Easy to Master Miracles
- Dinner Magic Show (1998): Houdini’s Rope Escape Challenge
- SCAM (1996 – 2000): 1996 1997 1999 2000
The next 10 years (2001 to 2010), the Houdini collecting and magic, took a back seat to work, my kids activities and other interests (e.g., soccer, umpiring, poker). However, I still remained a member of the Magic Castle and performed yearly magic shows on Halloween at my work, but Houdini was not getting enough attention.
- Halloween Magic Show: Flyer
That is, Houdini was not getting enough of MY attention, until 2011 when I was hit with the bug again in a big way. Please see About This Site for the suspects that are responsible for re-sparking my interest in Houdini.
Joe,
I found the link on my laptop and the website is great. Will check out more when I have more time.
Dad
Thanks Dad!
Please write to me regarding information in your post “23 to 25 Minutes of Terror Island Missing.” I am looking to put together an exhibition about the film and Houdini on Catalina Island where I am the Executive Director of the new Catalina Island Museum.
Thank you,
Julie Perlin Lee
310 510 4652
jplee@catalinamuseum.org
Glad to help anyway I can. Please check your email.
Joe,
Wow.. your Harry Houdini web site and your interest has grown even more than I realized. You miss out on some things with your children and grand children’s busy lives when you live far away. Good Luck in pursuing your Houdini dreams.
Love, Dad
Joe
Thank you for mentioning my book, “Magic Babylon!”
Sim-Sala-Bim,
Joe
Nearly 25 years (1999), I wrote and produced the live theater show, “The Great Houdini”, which had a successful 5-week run at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood, CA. With the advent of the Internet, Cloud and Facebook, I finally uploaded the show from VHS to FB for those interested to watch. The quality is a bit dark/grainy, but it’s still enjoyable for all to watch; especially today on the anniversary of Houdini’s passing.
The show starred Jim Bentley and Whit Haydn, both magicians from the Magic Castle. Sit back, relax, and enjoy “The Great Houdini”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd6bFMSJer8
Houdini Hollywood