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“

Audiences are far from being as dumb as some performers seem to think. - Theodore Annemann

”

Featured article Harry Houdini (March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926) was a Hungarian American magician, escapologist (widely regarded as one of the greatest ever), and stunt performer, as well as a skeptic and investigator of spiritualists, film producer, and actor. Biography Harry Houdini Initially, Houdini's magic career resulted in little success. He performed in dime museums and sideshows, and even doubled as "the Wild Man" at a circus. Early in his career, Houdini focused on traditional card tricks. At one point, he billed himself as the "King of Cards". But he soon began experimenting with escape acts. In 1893, while performing with his brother "Dash" at Coney Island as "The Brothers Houdini", Harry met and married fellow performer Bess (Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner). Bess soon replaced Dash in the act, which became known as "The Houdinis", and in 1894 they were married. For the rest of Houdini's performing career, Bess would work as his stage assistant. He had changed his name to Harry Houdini because the French conjurer, Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin was one of his biggest inspirations. Read more about Harry Houdini... Did you know... From MagicPedia's random pages: Spook shows … Chuck Martinez opened Halloween stores across the country? … The Houdini Code was used by Bess Houdini every Halloween? … Theatrical Seance’s are popular on Halloween? … Bill Neff was primarily known for Spook shows? … Phantasmagoria was a pre-cinema projection ghost show? See also Recent changes. Featured Tip Use the Discussion tab at the top of an article to add comments or make a suggestion. Send News Items and Upcoming Events here. If the front page content is out of date purge the cache Subscribe to MagicPedia updates MagicPedia RSS feed for new articles MagicPedia RSS feed for latest changes Follow @MagicPedia on Twitter Collaboration requests Help MagicPedia by: Selecting a Random page and reviewing it. Making an article from the Wanted Page list. Adding public domain pictures to articles. All you need to do is join (free) and click "Edit"

On this day October 31... Harry Houdini 1861 - Professor Herwinn, inventor of the Thumb Tip, was born William Humpage in Birmingham. 1901 - Russell Swann, a successfull comedy magician, was born William Russell Swann in Washington D. C., the first of 10 brothers. 1926 - Harry Houdini dies of peritonitis secondary to a ruptured appendix. 1936 - Lou Lancaster, who worked with Mark Wilson, is born. 1958 - National Magic Day. Phil Graham (Mr. Fantastic, The Psychadelic Prestidigitator) of S.A.M. Assembly 22 was appointed chairman for this year's activities by S.A.M. Pres. Hugh Riley. Search for all articles with the date: October 31 In the news Magic Castle Vanishing Inc. burns, but undaunted. Eminem discusses Houdini with Blaine. Good review for the floating castle. Recent deaths: |Andrew Galloway| |William Rauscher| |Tony Shiels| |Jon Racherbaumer| Featured Video Tommy Wonder Upcoming Events 2024 Yankee Gathering November 7th – November 9th Nashua, Maine Friends of MagicPedia Sites which have been useful to MagicPedia or are linking to MagicPedia articles: Conjuring Arts Research Center Wild About Houdini blog Magicana Magic Detective Blog Gordon Meyer's Chicago Magic Studio Denis Behr's Conjuring Archive Genii Magazine forum Find a Grave Canada's Magic Blog Conjuring Credits Abracadabra project on Geni.com The German language MagicPedia, Zauber-Pedia Potter and Potter Auctions Quicker Than The Eye

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