| Harry Houdini | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Erik Weisz |
|
Born |
March 24, 1874 |
|
Died |
October 31, 1926 |
Historical Background[]
Erik Weisz, known as Harry Houdini, was a Hungarian-American escape artist, illusionist, and stunt performer, noted for his escape acts. His pseudonym is a reference to his mentor in magic, French magician Robert-Houdin (1805–1871).
He first attracted notice in vaudeville in the United States and then as Harry 'Handcuff' Houdini on a tour of Europe, where he challenged police forces to keep him locked up. Soon he extended his repertoire to include chains, ropes slung from skyscrapers, straitjackets under water, and having to escape from and hold his breath inside a sealed milk can with water in it.
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Imprisoned with the Pharaoh (1924) - In Egypt in the year 1910, Houdini finds himself kidnapped by a tour guide, who resembles an ancient pharaoh, and thrown down a deep hole near the Great Sphinx of Giza. While attempting to find his way out, he stumbles upon a gigantic ceremonial cavern and encounters the real-life deity that inspired the building of the Sphinx.
- The Right Way to Do Wrong: An Exposé of Successful Criminals (1906)
- Handcuff Secrets (1907)
- The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin (1908), a debunking study of Robert-Houdin's alleged abilities.
- Magical Rope Ties and Escapes (1920)
- Miracle Mongers and Their Methods (1920)
- Houdini's Paper Magic (1921)
- A Magician Among the Spirits (1924)
- Houdini Exposes the Tricks Used by the Boston Medium "Margery" (1924)
- Imprisoned with the Pharaohs (1924), a short story ghostwritten by H. P. Lovecraft.
- How I Unmask the Spirit Fakers, article for Popular Science (November 1925)
- How I do My "Spirit Tricks", article for Popular Science (December 1925)
- Conjuring (1926), article for the Encyclopædia Britannica's 13th edition
Public Domain Film Appearances[]
Houdini in "The Master Mystery" (1919).
- Merveilleux Exploits du Célébre Houdini à Paris – Cinema Lux (1909) – playing himself
- The Master Mystery – Octagon Films (1918) – playing Quentin Locke
- The Grim Game – Famous Players–Lasky/Paramount Pictures (1919) – playing Harvey Handford
- Terror Island – Famous Players Lasky/Paramount (1920) – playing Harry Harper
- The Man from Beyond – Houdini Picture Corporation (1922) – playing Howard Hillary
- Haldane of the Secret Service – Houdini Picture Corporation/FBO (1923) – playing Heath Haldane
Public Domain Comic Appearances[]
- Hit Comics #29, 39
- True Comics #13, 58
- Mask Comics #1
- Kid Eternity #8
- True Comics and Adventures #1
Notes[]
- "Imprisoned with the Pharaohs" (called "Under the Pyramids" in draft form, also published as "Entombed with the Pharaohs") is a short story written by American fantasy author H. P. Lovecraft in collaboration with Harry Houdini in February 1924.
- Foodin, the Japanese name of the Pokemon Alakazam, who first appeared in Pokemon Red & Green (Blue & Red internationally), may be named after Harry Houdini.