Ehrich Weiss - definition of Ehrich Weiss by The Free Dictionary Ehrich Weiss - definition of Ehrich Weiss by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Thesaurus , Encyclopedia , Wikipedia . ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Noun 1. Harry Houdini - United States magician (born in Hungary) famous for his ability to escape from chains or handcuffs or straitjackets or padlocked containers (1874-1926) Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: Copyright © 2003-2017 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.

Harry Houdini - The Life of Harry Houdini Houdini in 1922 The Great Harry Houdini Harry Houdini was born on March 24, 1874 in Budpest, Hungary, with the name of Ehrich Weisz. He was one of six children and the son of Rabbi Mayer Weisz and his second wife, Cecilia Steiner. In 1876, Mayer Weisz immigrated to the United States with the dream of a better life. He found work as a rabbi and changed his last name to Weiss. In 1876, the remainder of the family joined him in the United States. The family moved to Milwaukee when Ehrich was eight years old. During his early years, Ehrich sold newspapers and shined shoes to help support the family. On October 28, 1883, nine year old Ehrich made his first appearance on stage, performing a trapeze act. He billed himself, "Ehrich, the Prince of the Air." At 12, Ehrich hopped a freight car and ran away from home.

A year later her returned to New York and continued to help support his family by working as a messenger, necktie cutter, and photography assistant. Nothing is known of his year away from his family. About this time, Ehrich and his brother Theo began to pursue an interest in magic. As a stage name, Ehrich Weiss became Harry Houdini by adding an ìiî to the last name of his idol, French magician Robert Houdin. Harry is simply an Americanized version of his nickname, Ehrie. At 17, Ehrich, now known as Harry Houdini, left his family to pursue his magic career. By the age of twenty, Harry had been performing small acts throughout New York. He soon married and joined a circus where he began to develop and perfect his escape tricks. Through the years, Houdini gained fame after repeatedly escaping from police handcuffs and jails. Harry was even given certificates from various wardens for escaping from their prisons. After making his name in America, Harry toured Europe, where he expanded his repertoire by escaping from straitjackets and coffins. Eventually, Harry was able to accomplish his dream of having a full show dedicated to his magic.

In his later years, Harry took his talent to the film arena, where he both acted and started his own film laboratory called The Film Development Corporation. Years later, Harry would receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition, Harry showed interest in the field of aviation and was the first person to ever fly over Australian soil. In the 1920s, Harry became interested in the occult, specifically in debunking mediums and psychics. His training in magic helped him expose frauds that scientists and academics could not. He chronicled his time investigating the occult in his book, A Magician Among the Spirits. In 1926 Houdini died as a result of a ruptured appendix, after suffering a blow to the abdomen by university student J. Gordon Whitehead. Houdini refused to seek medical help and continued to travel, eventually succumbing to periotonitis on October 24, 1926 at the age of 52. ©2013 - 2017 The Great Harry Houdini Harry Houdini: Do You Believe in Magic? | From Behind the Pen From Behind the Pen Harry Houdini: Do You Believe in Magic?

24 Mar Image Credit: biography.com Today would have been the 141st birthday of the great Hungarian-American illusionist and stunt performer, Harry Houdini (born Erik Weisz, later Ehrich Weiss or Harry Weiss). He was one of seven children and born in Budapest, Austria-Hungary on March 24, 1874. Houdini is famously known for his unbelievable “escape acts.” His performance repertoire included straitjackets under water, ropes slug from skyscrapers, chained while bolted with padlocks, and a buried alive stunt, just to name a few. According to Wikipedia, Harry’s family changed the Hungarian spelling of their German surname to Weiss (the German spelling) and Erik’s name was changed to Ehrich. Friends called him “Ehrie” or “Harry”. He began his magic career in 1891 but had little success. He performed in dime museums and sideshows, and even doubled as “The Wild Man” at a circus. Houdini focused initially on traditional card tricks. At one point, he billed himself as the “King of Cards”. He soon began experimenting with escape acts.

Houdini’s big break came in 1899 when he met manager Martin Beck in St. Paul, Minnesota. Impressed by Houdini’s handcuffs act, Beck advised him to concentrate on escape acts and booked him on the Orpheum vaudeville circuit. Within months, he was performing at the top vaudeville houses in the country. After giving a successful demonstration by escaping from handcuffs at Scotland Yard, Houdini was booked at the Alhambra Theatre for six months. He became widely known as “The Handcuff King” and toured England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Russia. In 1913, Houdini introduced perhaps his most famous act, the Chinese Water Torture Cell. This act required that he hold his breath for more than three minutes, while being suspended upside-down in a locked glass and steel cabinet, overflowing with water. He performed this escape act for the rest of his career. Harry Houdini was the President of the Society of American Magicians, and upheld professional standards that would expose fraudulent artists. He made several movies, but stopped since acting failed to bring in money. He was married to Wilhelmina Beatrice “Bess” Rahner.

Many did not know that he was also a keen aviator. Harry Houdini died on October 31, 1926 at the age of 52 in Detroit, Michigan. What fascinates you about magic and the world of illusions? Who is your favorite magician or illusionist? Bring out your inner magician today, by writing something “magical” to share with your magic enthusiasts and celebrate the birthday of the sensational Harry Houdini. Rate this: Grave Sightings: Harry Houdini | Mental Floss Grave Sightings: Harry Houdini Wikimedia Commons Like us on Facebook For years, every time we so much as touch a toe out of state, I’ve put cemeteries on our travel itinerary. From garden-like cemeteries to boot hills, whether they’re the final resting places of the well-known but not that important or the important but not that well-known, I love them all. After realizing that there are a lot of taphophiles (cemetery and/or tombstone enthusiasts) out there, I’m finally putting my photo library of interesting tombstones to good use. OK, I’m cheating a little bit for today’s Grave Sightings.

I haven’t actually visited this grave, but it’s too timely to let this one pass. Ehrich Weiss, better known to most as world-famous illusionist Harry Houdini, died on October 31, 1926. On October 22, Houdini was in his dressing room at a theater in Montreal when a few college kids dropped in. One of them mentioned that he had heard that one of the great mysteries of Houdini was his iron stomach—that no punch could harm him. Though he had broken his ankle a few days earlier and was really in no condition to withstand a beating, Houdini, perhaps eager to perpetuate the aura of intrigue surrounding his persona, agreed to let one of the students deliver a few blows to his gut. The student certainly didn’t go easy on the 52-year-old Houdini, and the punishing punches may have been the illusionist’s undoing. After his show that night, Houdini was in such pain that he needed help undressing. By October 24, his temperature was up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit; he collapsed in the middle of a show. After recovering and powering through the performance, he passed out again shortly thereafter.

Houdini was finally admitted to a hospital the next day, where doctors diagnosed appendicitis. When they got inside, surgeons discovered that the appendix had already ruptured, resulting in what would end up being a fatal case of peritonitis. Whether the ruptured appendix was caused by the punches or had already been festering is something that’s still debated to this day. On October 31, 1926, the great Houdini performed his very last vanishing act. But before he went, the skeptic promised his wife that if the dead could communicate with the living—a feat he didn't believe was possible, and one he worked to debunk—he would find his way back to her, and they established a coded message that would prove it. Though she held seances annually on the anniversary of his death for 10 years, Bess Houdini never heard the code word. Sadly, the two weren’t reunited in death—at least not on earth. Though Houdini’s grave can be found at Machpelah Cemetery in Queens, N.Y., the marker there bearing Bess’ name is just a cenotaph.

Because she was raised Catholic and Machpelah is a Jewish cemetery, her remains rest at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, N.Y. See all entries in our Grave Sightings series here . More from mental_floss... Houdini Biography Born 1874 Harry Houdini Magician-Escape Artist. bio BIOGRAPHICAL Houdini Biography: Born 1874 Harry Houdini Magician-Escape Artist Harry Houdini Biography: The most famous magician of all time. Actual name of Magician Harry Houdini. Ehrich Weiss was Magician Harry Houdini's actual name. Magician Harry Houdini's actual birthplace and date. The Magician known world wide as Harry Houdini was born on March 24, 1874 in Budapest (not in Appleton as claimed by people there) and died in Detroit in 1926. After his death his wife held seances as a test, to no avail. Magician Harry Houdini often claimed by many to be born in Appleton, Wisconsin, actually came to the United States when he was four years old.

To this day many connected with the small town of Appleton still claim in their biography of Magician Harry Houdini that he was born there, to attract tourists. It is clear from Magician Harry Houdini birth records and early family records located at the Harry Houdini Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania in the Pocono region, that Magician Harry Houdini was in actually born in Budapest, on March 24, 1874. Historians are agreed on this fact. In later years, in a magazine interview, Magician Harry Houdini said about Appleton, "the greatest escape I ever made was when I left Appleton, Wisconsin." Biography of the early years of Magician Harry Houdini. Magician Harry Houdini's father was Mayer Samuel Weiss. Magician Harry Houdini's father was a Rabbi. His father for a short time was Rabbi for the German Zoin Jewish Congregation in Appleton. His mother's name was Cecilia Steiner Weiss. Magician Harry Houdini's original family pictures are on display at the Houdini Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania in the Pocono region.

Later as a star performer throughout the world Houdini would form an organization called "The Sons of Rabbis." Besides those listed I believe George Gershwin and Irving Berlin we also members. The Howard Brothers were famous comedians in vaudeville. Willie and Eugene Howard. This ad was supplied to us by Tom Klem, a historian, supperter and friend. Yiddish, Hungarian, and German were the only languages spoken by Magician Harry Houdini's parents. Magician Harry Houdini's family was quite poor so most of the children began to work at an early age. From the age of eight young Ehrich Weiss (Erik Weisz) sold newspapers and worked as a shoe shine boy. Please note that when coming ot the United States there were often many spellings of names as people adjusted to English. At the age of 12, young Ehrich left home to make his way in the world in an attempt to help support his family. This was a great sign of independance. This is contrary to some biography books that incorrectly claim that Magician Harry Houdini was overly obsessed with his mother. Magician Harry Houdini did love her very much, however.

Magician Harry Houdini moves to New York City at the age of 13. Young Ehrich left Appleton and traveled the country for about a year, always sending money home when he could. Finally he joined up with his father, who left Appleton, in New York City. His father would die about five years later on October 5, 1892 never to see his magician son's gret success. The move to New York from Appleton would change Magician Harry Houdini's life and introduce him to the world of big time magic. The family moved from Appleton to New York in the the hope of finding a better life there. In New York, Magician Harry Houdini worked as a messenger and as a cutter in a garment center sweat shop, Richter & Sons, a tie factory to help support his family. He was very athletic and won awards in swimming and track. He would use this athletic and swimming talents to great use in his future as an escape artist.

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| Poconos online magazine of Attractions and things to do | Scranton Pocono mystery atraction bus ride | Mystery Attraction Scranton Pocono bus tour | Pocono Scranton Mystery Attraction bus trip & field trip | Visit with leading Mystery entertainer Dick Brookz | Boating in the Poconos | Pocono Mountains Attraction Things to do Directory | Pocono Mountain Attraction Index | Coupons for Pocono Mountains attractions and things to do | Attraction and things to do discounts in the Poconos | Poconos Leading Things to do and Attraction Guide | Getaway to the Pocono Mountains | Getaways in the Pocono Mountain Region | Discount Honeymoons in the Pocono Mountains | Honeymoon int the Poconos Mountain Region | Comprhensive directory of Pocono Mountain NE PA. Hotel discounts | Restaurants in the Mountains of the Poconos | to do and attractions in Scranton PA | Blinky the birthday party clown Scranton, Poconos, Wilkes Barre. | Scranton, Poconos, Wilkes Barre Birthday Parties | Web Sites of Interest Secrets of Houdini by J.C. Cannell (Book) Secrets of Houdini by J.C.

Cannell (Book) Reference: Condition: New product World-famous illusionist, master deluder, showman; Harry Houdini (alias of Ehrich Weiss) is one of the most legendary figures of the modern stage, and probably the most controversial and misunderstood magician of all times. So fantastic were his tricks that many thought him to be supernatural, a mystic and an amazing spiritualist.Exposin Warning: Last items in stock! Availability date: Send to a friend Secrets of Houdini by J.C. Cannell (Book) World-famous illusionist, master deluder, showman; Harry Houdini (alias of Ehrich Weiss) is one of the most legendary figures of the modern stage, and probably the most controversial and misunderstood magician of all times.

So fantastic were his tricks that many thought him to be supernatural, a mystic and an amazing spiritualist.Exposin Recipient : E-mail address of your friend * : * Required fields The minimum purchase order quantity for the product is 1 Add to cart More info World-famous illusionist, master deluder, showman; Harry Houdini (alias of Ehrich Weiss) is one of the most legendary figures of the modern stage, and probably the most controversial and misunderstood magician of all times. So fantastic were his tricks that many thought him to be supernatural, a mystic and an amazing spiritualist. Exposing his closely kept professional secrets, and revealing in general terms the whole art of stage magic, this book is now considered a classic study of Houdini's strange deceptions. J.C. Cannell, professional magician, friend and colleague of Houdini in The Magician's Club, was the first to explain rationally how Houdini achieved his tricks.

These include the famous challenges to death, escapes from bank vaults and from a Russian prison vanlined with zinc, walking through brick walls, escapes from crates under waters, disappearing ladies, women floating in mid-air, vanishing elephants, ghostly manifestations, seances, card tricks, rope tricks, mind reading, spirit messages and miracles. All of these and much more discussed in clear, simple language and for better understanding, the author has included numerous line drawing of Houdini's ingenious escape devices, with diagrams of the more complicated tricks. Twenty-four new photographs have been added to the twenty-three in the original edition, illustrating scenes from the magician's life as well as his performances. When this book was originally published shortly after Houdini's death in 1926, it caused such a controversy that many people simply refused to believe the author. Yet, if you are interested in magic, the stage or the fabulous life of Harry Houdini, you are certain to find this book a fascinating experience. Perhaps the only way to really understand Houdin is is to tread this book and judge for yourself. Don't be surprised if the author keeps you glued to each page as you follow step-by-step some of the most incredible stunts of the century!

Paperbound, 279 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" pages, 51 line drawings. Harry Houdini Harry Houdini Harry Houdini influenced all facets of magic in America and was celebrated as the world’s greatest escape artist. He rose from humble beginnings to become a renowned magician and illusionist. Throughout his life, Harry Houdini claimed that he was born April 6, 1874 in Appleton, Wisconsin. He began his professional career at age 17 doing magic shows before civic groups, in music halls, at sideshows, and at New York’s Coney Island amusement park. Biography A biographical essay by staff at the Appleton Public Library This essay is based primarily on material provided in the biography Harry Houdini by Adam Woog (Lucent Books, 1995). Early Life Throughout his life, Harry Houdini claimed that he was born April 6, 1874 in Appleton, Wisconsin. In fact, he was born with the name Ehrich Weisz on March 24, 1874, in Budapest, Hungary.

His father was Mayer Samuel Weisz, a religious teacher, whose first wife had died in childbirth. Ehrich was a child of his second wife, Cecilia Steiner. How many children the couple had is unclear, although six of their children survived to adulthood. Hoping for a better life for his family, Mayer emigrated to America and changed the spelling of his last name to Weiss. Through a friend, he gained a job serving as a rabbi to a small Jewish congregation in Appleton, with an annual salary of $750. His family is believed to have followed him to America in 1876, when Ehrich was a toddler. Stories of Ehrich performing magic and escape tricks while in Appleton have never been verified. His mother claimed that as a child he learned to open locked cabinets to get at pies and sweets she had baked, but the story may be more legend than fact. Mayer Weiss’s religious views were considered old-fashioned by the Appleton congregation and after a few years he was dismissed from his post. The family moved to Milwaukee when Ehrich was about eight, but times were difficult. From a young age, Ehrich sold newspapers and shined shoes to help support the family.

When not working, Ehrich engaged in athletic activities and practiced acrobatic stunts. Ehrich claimed October 28, 1883 as the date of his first appearance before an audience. The nine year-old performed on a trapeze hung from a tree while wearing red socks made by his mother. He billed himself as “Ehrich, the Prince of the Air.” At age 12, Ehrich ran away from home by hopping a freight car. The train took him to Kansas City, but where else he may have gone, and what he did during that time, is not known. A year later he re-joined his family, now living in New York City but still struggling to survive. Ehrich continued to work at a variety of jobs, including messenger, necktie cutter, and photographer’s assistant. At about this time, Ehrich and his younger brother Theo began to pursue an interest in magic. Ehrich’s idol was the great French magician Robert-Houdin.

When Ehrich started performing magic before small groups, he added an “i” to the end of his hero’s name and called himself “Houdini.” The “Harry” is most likely an American version of his childhood nickname Ehrie. Professional Career Harry Houdini began his professional career at age 17 doing magic shows before civic groups, in music halls, at sideshows, and at New York’s Coney Island amusement park, where he sometimes performed 20 shows each day. For a time he worked with his brother Theo as The Houdini Brothers. This changed when Harry met Beatrice Raymond, a teenaged singer and dancer who was also attempting a career in show business. Harry and Bess married in 1894 and Bess joined the act as Harry’s new partner. (Theo started a solo career as a magician under the name Hardeen.) Harry and Bess remained devoted companions for the rest of his life. He depended on her to care for him and handle the necessities of life. Harry gave her the credit for his success, and developed the habit of writing her a love note every day. In 1895, the Houdinis joined the Welsh Brothers Circus for six months.

Harry did magic, Bess sang and danced, and together they performed a trick called “Metamorphosis,” in which they switched places in a locked trunk. Not satisfied with the small scale of the act, Harry continued to work on new tricks and to develop his speaking voice and showmanship. He also became an expert at handcuffs. Arriving in a new town, Houdini would claim the ability to escape from any handcuffs provided by the local police. His easy escapes provided excellent publicity for his shows. Houdini offered $100 to anyone who provided handcuffs from which he could not escape, but he never had to pay. Through his increasingly complex escapes and his shrewd use of publicity, Houdini became a headliner on the vaudeville circuit, playing in cities across the country. Not satisfied with that low level of fame, however, Houdini decided to gamble by taking his act to Europe. In 1900, Harry and Bess sailed to England with no bookings and only enough money to survive a week. Houdini was able to get an engagement at a London theater, but his breakthrough came when he successfully broke free after being wrapped around a pillar and handcuffed at Scotland Yard.

The publicity from that escape caused the theater to extend Houdini’s booking. His fame quickly spread and he eventually played there for six months. Sold-out engagements quickly followed in Germany and then throughout Europe. Wherever he went, Houdini called upon local police to restrain him, but he continually confounded the authorities and escaped. To increase publicity, he also jumped into rivers while handcuffed and chained. Allowing the suspense to build, Houdini remained underwater long after many observers were certain he couldn’t survive, only to spring up, waving the chains over his head. By the time Houdini returned to the United States in 1905, he was an international celebrity. Among the stunts performed to publicize his American appearances, Houdini escaped from the prison cell that held the assassin of President James Garfield, squirmed from a straitjacket while hanging upside down, and broke free from a packing crate that had been nailed shut and immersed underwater. This showmanship also extended to his act. As a regular feature of his performances, Houdini was shackled and lowered into an oversize milk can filled with water and then hidden by a curtain.

Though he was usually able to escape in three minutes, Houdini frequently stayed behind the curtain for up to a half hour, making his re-appearance all the more dramatic. On one occasion in England, Houdini allowed the milk can to be filled with beer rather than water. As someone who never drank alcohol, Houdini was not used to the effects of the beer and had to be pulled to safety by his assistants. It was one of his rare failures. Houdini the Man Houdini was able to perform his difficult feats by remaining in excellent physical and mental condition. He pushed himself relentlessly. To develop his capacity for holding his breath, Houdini installed an oversize bathtub in his house so that he could practice regularly. Through extensive training, he was able use his left hand nearly as well as his right. While casually chatting with friends, he would perform card and coin tricks without looking at his hands, or tie and untie knots in pieces of rope with his feet. Determined to stay on top of the entertainment field, Houdini refined techniques he had already mastered and continually developed new and more daring escapes. As his reputation grew, Houdini assumed a leadership role among other magicians.

He served as president of the Society of American Magicians and founded the Magician’s Club in London. Houdini was generous with other magicians, but jealous of anyone who attempted to duplicate his escapes. He wrote books and magazine articles that revealed some of magic’s simpler tricks, but carefully guarded his own secrets. Though known to be friendly and warm, Houdini had a large ego, could be touchy and petty at times, and frequently displayed a volatile tempter to his assistants. In 1909, just six years after the Wright brothers proved that human flight was possible, Houdini became fascinated with airplanes. He bought his own plane, and learned to drive a car solely in order to get to the airport faster. In 1910, he became the first to successfully fly a plane in Australia. After that flight, however, his interest ended and he never piloted a plane or drove a car again. Houdini was also a great collector, with extensive collections of locks, magic memorabilia, autographs, historical items and, especially, books. Houdini collected so many books that he hired a full-time librarian to care for them, and traveled with hundreds at a time.

When America entered the First World War in 1917, Houdini tried to enlist in the army, but was rejected as being too old at age 43. Unable to fight, Houdini preformed free shows for service men, during which he would produce five dollar gold pieces from the air and toss them to the audience. He claimed to have distributed $7,000 in that manner. Houdini also organized shows in support of Liberty Bonds to help finance the war. After the war, Houdini became an actor, appearing in a 13-part silent film serial called The Master of Mystery. The series was sufficiently successful that Houdini was hired to make two feature films. When those films performed poorly at the box office, Houdini blamed the movie company and opted to make his own movies. He formed a production company with his brother Theo, and controlled every aspect of his next two films, The Man from Beyond and Haldane of the Secret Service. Like his earlier movies, they featured daring stunts and escapes, but also like the earlier movies, they were not successful. Though some of the action sequences were thrilling, critics panned Houdini’s wooden acting and ineffective love scenes.

He was so embarrassed at having to kiss another woman onscreen that he gave his wife five dollars every time he did so. Accepting defeat, Houdini gave up on the film business. When not traveling, Harry and Bess lived in a large house they purchased in New York. The couple had no children, but Harry’s mother lived with them. Houdini was very close to his mother, and her death in 1913 was the greatest tragedy of his life. For weeks after her death, he made almost daily visits to the cemetery, sometimes lying on her grave to speak to her. “My mother was everything to me,” he said in a speech to the Magician’s Club. “It seemed the end of the world when she was taken from me…All desire for fame and fortune had gone from me. I was alone with my bitter agony…” Eventually, Houdini was able to return to work, but he continued to mourn his mother for the rest of his life. Spiritualism Partly as a result of his mother’s death, Houdini renewed an early interest in spiritualism, the so-called ability to communicate with the dead.

Houdini wanted to believe that such communication was possible, but after many years performing magic, he was familiar with the methods employed by phony spiritualists to fool the public. Passing up better-paying opportunities, Houdini lectured on the subject of fraudulent spiritualists and unmasked many in the cities he visited. In his act, Houdini demonstrated many of the tricks used by spiritualists and wrote a best-selling book, A Magician Among the Spirits, which detailed their deceptions. Houdini had a standing offer of $10,000 to anyone who could produce a psychic effect that couldn’t be reproduced by natural means, but no one ever collected the money. Houdini so strongly opposed the phony spiritualists that he testified against them before a committee of Congress. “Please understand that, emphatically, I am not attacking a religion,” he said.

“I respect every genuine believer in spiritualism or any other religion…But this thing they call spiritualism, wherein a medium intercommunicates with the dead, is a fraud from start to finish...In thirty-five years, I have never seen one genuine medium.” Because of his interest in spiritualism, Houdini developed a friendship with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, who was a firm believer in spiritualism. Conan Doyle was convinced that psychic powers enabled Houdini to perform his stunning escapes, and refused to accept Houdini’s denials and explanations. Eventually their disagreement over spiritualism and psychic ability led to an estrangement. The friendship ended as they attacked each other publicly. The Last Days In the fall of 1926, Houdini took a new show on the road. It was an elaborate, two and half hour performance, requiring Houdini to be on stage almost the entire time. The show featured magic, a section debunking spiritualism, and escapes from a coffin and a Chinese water torture, which had become one of Houdini’s most famous stunts.

In the Chinese water torture escape, Houdini’s hands and feet were bound and he was lowered, upside down, into a glass tank filled with water, which was then securely closed. In mid-October, the tour took a bad turn in Providence, Rhode Island when Bess contracted a case of food poisoning. Despite the presence of a nurse, Houdini was deeply worried about his wife and stayed awake all night at her side. By the time they reached the next stop, Albany, New York, Houdini had gone three nights without sleep, his only rest coming from brief naps. Then, during the Albany show, the frame holding his leg in place for the Chinese water torture jerked, causing his ankle to break. Used to performing with smaller injuries, Houdini refused medical care and insisted on completing the show, but was awake all night from the pain. The tour nonetheless proceeded to the next stop in Montreal, Canada. Ignoring a doctor’s advice to stay off his foot, Houdini stuck to his schedule, including a lecture at McGill University. While there, Houdini met an art student who presented him with a sketch he had made of the great escape artist.

Houdini invited the student to visit him backstage before the afternoon performance of his show. The next day, the student and two friends were chatting with Houdini in his dressing room when one of the students, an amateur boxer, asked if it was true that Houdini could withstand any blow to his body above the waist, excluding his face. Houdini admitted that it was true and, despite his weakened state due to his injury and lack of sleep, gave the student permission to test him. Houdini began to rise from the couch where he was seated, but before he had time to tighten his abdomen muscles, the student punched him three times in the stomach. Houdini fell back on the couch, his face white. Although in pain, Houdini performed his show that afternoon. The pain was worse in the evening, but Houdini refused to consult a doctor. The next day, October 24, despite chills and sweating, Houdini performed two more shows before the company moved on to Detroit, Michigan. Once there, Houdini finally saw a doctor, who urged that he immediately go to the hospital.

Houdini refused and, despite a temperature of 102, went on to give his usual performance that night. Only after completing the show did Houdini finally agree to enter the hospital. When doctors operated, they found that his appendix had burst, causing peritonitis, a usually fatal disease in this age before the development of antibiotics. Another operation was later performed, but Houdini was given little hope of surviving. Bess, meanwhile, still suffering from food poisoning, was checked into the same hospital. Believing he was near death, Houdini reportedly shared a secret message with Bess to be used as proof that he was communicating with her from beyond the grave. She would know it was really him if she heard the words “Rosabelle, believe.” “Rosabelle” was the name of a song that Bess had sung at Coney Island in the period when she met Houdini. Houdini’s brother Theo was at his side when Houdini spoke his last words: “I’m tired of fighting…I guess this thing is going to get me.” Harry Houdini died on the afternoon of Halloween, October 31, 1926.

Houdini’s funeral was held in New York City, where thousands of mourners lined the streets as the funeral procession passed. A representative of the Society of American Magicians broke a wand at the services, beginning a new tradition that has been used for Society members ever since. Houdini was buried at the Machpelah Cemetery in Long Island, New York, beside his parents. Beneath his head was placed a pillow containing his mother’s letters. Houdini’s collection of over 5,000 books was bequeathed to the Library of Congress. His brother Theo received most of his magic equipment and memorabilia. Theo continued to work as a magician under the name Hardeen; he died in 1945. The bulk of Houdini’s estate went to Bess, who, after paying Houdini’s extensive debts, had enough to live comfortably. For many years Bess tried to contact Houdini through a séance on the anniversary of his death, but died in 1943 without succeeding. Photographs Selected photographs courtesy of the Outagamie County Historical Society and The Post-Crescent An example of a challenge performance. Sidney H.

Radner Collection, Houdini Historical Center, Appleton. Courtesy of Outagamie County Historical Society HE IS CERTAINLY A WONDER Back in Place of His Birth After Visiting Many Countries-Has Made Reputation and Competence. In Great Demand Imagination pictures a Sampson, massive, towering with enormous hands and feet, a great shaggy head perhaps, and a voice that roars and bellows and shoulders and limbs like pillars of rock. The reality is a medium sized, unassuming, pleasant faced, young fellow, with blue eyes that are very much inclined to twinkle. This is Harry Houdini, or rather Ehrich Weiss, as he talks pleasantly and very interestingly dressed in the conventional light grey summer suit, oxfords, flowing tie and sailor hat. One would never think him of the "profesh" unless maybe, his diamond shirt stud might speak. But then, Armour wears diamond shirt studs too. Houdini, who left this noon for New York, arrived in Appleton, his birth place, Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by his brother Theodore, who travels with him and assists him in his performances. He spent the time here looking up old friends and renewing old associations.

In August he will sail for Europe where he has a two years' contract and will give no performances while in America. He is resting here and one can see how he needs a period of quiet when one talks to him, for he is a quick nervous chap, inclined to jump when an unexpected noise is heard and to shut his eyes until they are almost closed; when speaking under excitement. "My first performance? Well I remember it well as if it had taken place yesterday. I am earning now, from $900 to $2000 a week, but my first performance brought me slightly less than that. It took place in an old field across the track in the Sixth Ward and I did a contortionist act, giving three performances, for which Jack Hoeffler, who was managing them, as now, paid me exactly 35 cents. "Houdini threw back his head and chuckled reminiscently and thought of the $2000 per. "What was your most difficult feat, the most difficult escape you ever made?" was asked. "I think my escape from the Siberian Transport was my most difficult performance.

I was placed in the great vault usually assigned to political prisoners, and when the great door was shut, I had the hardest time of my life, perhaps, in releasing myself. But nevertheless, it took me 18 minutes to walk out, and face the dazed officials. "I think that in a year I may retire. I cannot take my money with me when I die and I wish to enjoy it, with my family, while I live. I should prefer living in Germany to any other country, though I am an American, and am loyal to my country. I like the German people and customs. Why don't I go then? Why it is too far away from my mother, who lives in New York City with a couple of my young brothers." And right there you have the whole charm of Ehrich Weiss. It is worth all the sermons in the world to hear him speak of his mother. All his plans, all his successes, he weaves about that mother of his. The fortune he has made within the past ten years, he does not speak of as benefiting himself, "My mother can have everything that she wants," he says.

Of his father, Rabbi Weiss, who died, he speaks just as affectionately and reverently and in these days of rush and hurry and often disrespect for old age, it is pleasant to hear such filial words. Houdini's parents formerly resided here and three of the five brothers were born in Appleton. The father was at one time the Jewish rabbi here, before the Temple was built. The meetings used to be held above one of the stores on College Avenue, between Oneida and Morrison streets, and this morning Houdini made visit to the familiar place and the little office which used to be his father's and "where I used to get my spankings," he said. "Where do you receive the best treatment? What people are the most cordial?" "Oh, the world is alike. When they are pleased they laugh and are pleasant and when they think they are being cheated and are displeased then they scowl and jeer and hiss. They do this, you know, whether they are French, German, Russian or English, for after all they are all human beings and governed by the same impulses.

I make the most money, I think, in Russia and Paris, for the people of those countries are so willing to be amused, so eager to see something new and out of the ordinary." "Now, don't you exaggerate just a little bit when you are giving your performances? Don't you make is a trifle worse that it looks? And is it a feat of strength, or a trick that you resort to?" All these were put inquisitively to the young man. "Well, I fail to see how any exaggeration would help me," replied Houdini good naturedly, "the chain and bolts and bars and handcuffs are of iron and steel, and I shouldn't care to exaggerate those. My secret? Well certainly it is a trick of my own. No house or bank would be safe from prying hands if I revealed it to the world. I should be doing a great wrong to give it up, for nothing would be safe. Why when I was in England I was offered an enormous sum of money if I would consent to establish a school of burglary there.

Noted thieves and bank robbers came to me with the request." The reporter was allowed to feel his forearm, which is amazing, as massive and hard as a granite pillar. His neck too, is large and corded. Houdini carries with him an enormous book, wonderfully interesting to look at, containing hundreds of newspaper clippings from papers all over Europe, from England, Scotland, France, Prussia, Austria, Russia, everywhere, with cartoons, pictures, cuts, telegrams, challenges, bills and interviews. They go to show the furore the man created in foreign countries and one clipping Houdini proudly exhibits is that taken from the London Times, the most conservative paper in the world, which never gives a professional a voluntary notice and which gave Houdini half a column in flattering comment. Houdini not only breaks chains and handcuffs, he writes, writes entertainingly and well. The New York Mirror, for which he is traveling correspondent while in Europe, prints whole pages of his letters, which are very chatty and readable. He is well paid for this work.

Houdini was married when but a little over 19 years of age, and his wife, for whom he had a great affection, is staying now with his mother in New York. Mrs. Weiss accompanies her husband everywhere in his foreign travels, and assists him in his performances. Though only 30 years of age, Ehrich Weiss has made his own fortune and from a poor fatherless boy has grown to wealth and ease, both of which he shares with his mother and brothers. Other Websites How Harry Houdini Defied The Laws Of Science - ShowMeTheScience.net How Harry Houdini Defied The Laws Of Science Born Ehrich Weiss, Harry Houdini (1874-1926) was a Hungarian-American illusionist and stunt performer known for his sensational escape acts. Thousands watched Houdini perform the seemingly impossible and his name soon become a household name in the world of magic. But just what made Harry Houdini arguably the greatest magician/escapologist of all time? A magician never reveals his secrets – but that doesn’t mean his team won’t after his passing.

Here is everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the great Harry Houdini: Harry “Handcuff” Houdini Harry Houdini Circumstantial Evidence Harry Houdini first rose to prominence as a handcuff escape artist in American vaudeville. While astonishing at the time, any amateur handcuff escape artist can tell you that Houdini used an easy trick to “magically” escape – all he had to do was access a hidden set of keys. But what made Houdini special wasn’t so much that he was able to escape the cuffs, but rather how fast he was able to do it. Houdini invented a belt made out of flexible steel with special compartments that he used to store any tool he would need to escape. Over his lifetime Houdini performed hundreds of successful cuff tricks, escaping within mere seconds of having been handcuffed.

Question: Illusionist Ehrich Weiss was better known by what name?
Answer: Harry Houdini