Kevin Connolly Collection

We had a couple of Houdini imitator posts on the blog over the last few days, so let’s see what Harry did to thwart them. Houdini starts with a counter punch and publishes this book, “Handcuff Tricks Exposed” in 1910.  With copycat acts coming from all sides to cash in on Houdini’s success, something had to be done. Houdini came up with this book to stem the tide he was up against. This would be his first salvo towards all that wanted to cash in on his fame.

One hundred years later, this scenario has repeated itself time and time again. It happens in magic and entertainment in general. When an act, TV show, movie etc. are very good, it’s just a matter of time till someone will want to try to reproduce the formula. As we all have seen in our lifetimes, these knock-offs of the originals rarely work. In my opinion, they cheapen the original concept by doing it. Maybe Houdini was right to take the steps he did?

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Kevin Connolly Collection

This is the newest game on the Internet, it’s called “Name That Houdini”. The objective of the game is to identify all thirteen people in the photo. Anyone stating that they are not all Houdinis will be banished to the “Sorcar, The Happy Years” website. My rules.

Please click on the photo for a close-up of the image. Also, please limit yourself to identifying one person a day.

Here’s how to identify them. We’ll start from left to right.

1- Lady standing – Sadie (Glantz) Weiss – Answer by Tracy Peterson

2- Woman hidden behind older woman. If you know this one, you’re related to the Houdinis. Gladys Weiss – Answer by John Cox

3 – The older woman – Cecilia Steiner Weiss – Answer by John Cox

4- Lady sitting in small car -Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner Weiss Houdini – Answer by Tracy Peterson

5- Woman to right of the “hidden” lady – Elsie Weiss Hardeen – Answer by John Cox

6-  Round man – Nat Weiss – Answer by Tracy Peterson

7- Tall woman

8- Young child(female?) – Constance – Answer by Eric Fry

9- Young Boy – Toddles – Answer by Eric Fry

10- Man with hand by face – Leopold Weiss – Answer by Tracy Peterson

11 – Balding Man – William Weiss – Answer by John Cox

12 – Guy with a short tie – Ehrich Weiss aka HOUDINI – Answer by John Cox

13- Man on extreme right – Theodore Weiss Hardeen – Answer by John Cox

So there you have it. I hope you know  one or two. If you don’t, you’re on the right website. If you know them all, you have to get out more often. Just follow the instructions below on how to post. Good Luck!

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Kevin Connolly Collection

101 years old, that is; not an April Fools either. This is a small bi-fold 1909 program from the Alhambra in Paris. The program is slightly larger than a playing card. What is pictured above is the back cover of the program. The inside of the program has a list of all the acts that were appearing at the time, including Houdini.  What more could you ask for? Paris and Houdini!

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Kevin Connolly Collection

This is one of the more famous of the Houdini imitators. You can read about Houdini’s encounters with Mysto in either the Ken Silverman book, “Houdini!!!” or “The Secret Life of Houdini”. Houdini took no prisoners. Please click on the image to see a better view of the postcard.

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This pitch book is available for trade. The book was published around 1908. As you can see, it is inscribed by Beatrice Houdini. It also has an Edward Saint stamp on the inside. It has 63 numbered pages with many classic Houdini images and stories contained within. If you need more details, just let me know.

I’m looking for ANYTHING in Houdini-era material. They can be photos, postcards, books or ephemera. I would like to trade for this items, but I will consider cash offers. Thanks!