Harry Houdini: Master Magician
The life, times and tragic death of the world's greatest master of magic and illusion
Famous Magicians
Early Years
Born in Budapest, Hungary on March 24, 1874, Erich Weiss was the son of a rabbi. The family immigrated to Wisconsin when Erich was just a toddler. Times were hard and young Erich took a number of odd jobs, including apprentice locksmith, where he learned all about locks. Whenever he wasn't working, he was staying in shape, winning awards in boxing, track and swimming. At the age of fifteen, he read the autobiography of French magician, Jean Robert Houdin, which changed his life forever. He added an "i" to give the moniker his own individual stamp. From where he got Harry, is anyone's guess.
Coney Island and Bess
From April of 1891, Houdini was a working magician. Coney Island became the perfect matrix for his magic act. Houdini performed with his brother, Theodore, aka Dash aka Hardeen. Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner, who had been part of another singing and dancing act, replaced Dash as Houdini's assistant. They fell in love and were soon married in three different ceremonies; one civil, one Catholic and one Jewish.
The Houdinis
Despite Houdini's reputation as the "Handcuff King", jobs were scarce. Houdini strayed into the realm of a href="http://wsrv.clas.virginia.edu/~jwf8f/med_show.htm"the medicine shows and Spiritualism where he performed magic tricks to help pay bills and sustain his family. In 1899, vaudeville tycoon, Martin Beck, offered him a spot on the Orpheum Circuit, encouraging Houdini to concentrate on escapes and illusions rather than magic tricks. His career blossomed and soon Houdini was earning a whopping $2,000 per week!
Later Years, Spiritualism and Death
Houdini's escape techniques were unique and brilliant and the public adored him. In 1919, he entered the world of silent films, becoming one of Hollywood's first action heroes. During the 1920s, Harry Houdini drifted into the world of spiritualism and at this time, met and befriended English author, Arthur Conan Doyle
While on tour, Houdini was approached in his dressing room by a fan and asked if he could withstand a punch in the stomach. He wasn't given enough time to prepare and it is thought that this blow ruptured Houdini's appendix. He died on October 31, 1927, at the age of 52.
Houdini's fame has endured, even his name becoming a word in the dictionary. Houdini's spirit lies just below the consciousness of us and lives with the souls of all who dare to dream.
See also:
"Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Brilliant English Author"
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