Search found 434 matches

by houdini's ghost
April 13th, 2014, 3:22 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Medical Magic and Houdini NY Post
Replies: 13
Views: 4202

Re: Medical Magic and Houdini NY Post

"Most historians got it wrong because they blindly accepted Bernard Ernst's version put together to garner Beatrice Houdini the double indemnity. That would include Milbourne Christopher, Gresham, James Randi, Doug Henning (Charles Reyonlds), Kenneth Silverman, etc." You left out some name...
by houdini's ghost
April 13th, 2014, 3:15 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Medical Magic and Houdini NY Post
Replies: 13
Views: 4202

Re: Medical Magic and Houdini NY Post

Houdini never performed an illusion using a Crookes tube.
by houdini's ghost
April 11th, 2014, 1:51 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Medical Magic and Houdini NY Post
Replies: 13
Views: 4202

Re: Medical Magic and Houdini NY Post

I read the good doctor's recapitulation of Houdini's final illness and death. Everything he says about Houdini is wrong. I hope he knows more about medicine. He missed on so many of the facts that Brookz and Dietrich think he's right on the money.
by houdini's ghost
April 7th, 2014, 4:21 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Teller and Posner's The Tempest
Replies: 0
Views: 501

Teller and Posner's The Tempest

It's 64 years since I saw my first play--Jean Arthur as Peter Pan and Boris Karloff as Hook--and I have see a lot, a great many, wonderful productions of plays. All kinds of plays. William Shakespeare's The Tempest, Magic by Teller, directed by Teller and Aaron Posner, with magic design by Johnny Th...
by houdini's ghost
November 29th, 2013, 1:54 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Roland Hill: RIP
Replies: 1
Views: 1251

Re: Roland Hill: RIP

And Roland, and his father before him, were notable art directors in movies and TV. A lovely guy.
Roland's extremely incomplete IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0384012/?ref_=fn_al_nm_2
His dad's equally incomplete IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0384632/?ref_=fn_al_nm_3
by houdini's ghost
November 20th, 2013, 1:57 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: See You In Court!
Replies: 0
Views: 831

See You In Court!

When New York Life denied the Houdini Estate's claim for double indemnity, Bernard Ernst sent them a sample of what they'd be up against if it went to court.
http://www.houdinisghost.com/ernstcook.html
by houdini's ghost
October 21st, 2013, 6:39 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Is this really Suzy Wandas?
Replies: 25
Views: 18576

Re: Is this really Suzy Wandas?

I began trying to find out who this young woman was about a year ago. I posted on about four forums including this one. A student of Suzy Wandas told me right off it wasn't she. SO WHO WAS IT? She's either a good magician or well coached. If Genii had been around when "Starlit Days At The Lido&...
by houdini's ghost
November 23rd, 2012, 9:31 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini's lost levitation
Replies: 3
Views: 1305

Re: Houdini's lost levitation

I mentioned that Houdini and Bessie performed a levitation and may have even included a quote about it from someplace on the first page of Houdini--the Key which finally saw the light of day on 10-30-2010. Bruce's book is full of material that nobody has covered. The other books sail through this cr...
by houdini's ghost
October 25th, 2012, 2:37 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
Replies: 121
Views: 34926

Re: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol

Rolf, Houdini tried to get Franz his citizenship and could not. When England and Germany went to war, Houdini planted a story in a theatrical news journal that Franz had been called up to take up his commission in the German Army and--get this--had immediately left to serve his country. Franz wanted...
by houdini's ghost
October 25th, 2012, 2:35 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
Replies: 121
Views: 34926

Re: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol

Rolf, Houdini tried to get Franz his citizenship and could not. When England and Germany went to war, Houdini planted a story in a theatrical news journal that Franz had been called up to take up his commission in the German Army and--get this--had immediately left to serve his country. Franz wanted...
by houdini's ghost
October 25th, 2012, 2:35 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
Replies: 121
Views: 34926

Re: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol

Rolf, Houdini tried to get Franz his citizenship and could not. When England and Germany went to war, Houdini planted a story in a theatrical news journal that Franz had been called up to take up his commission in the German Army and--get this--had immediately left to serve his country. Franz wanted...
by houdini's ghost
October 24th, 2012, 7:56 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
Replies: 121
Views: 34926

Re: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol

I believe that Franz had to register as a non-citizen for the draft. That's how they did it when I was in the service. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.houdinisghost.com/draftregistrations.html">http://www.houdinisghost.com/draftregistrations.html</a><!-- m --> <!-- m --><a class="post...
by houdini's ghost
October 23rd, 2012, 6:30 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
Replies: 121
Views: 34926

Re: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol

Rolf, I'm Patrick Culliton. Have you seen this thread?
http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubb ... Post209310
by houdini's ghost
October 23rd, 2012, 6:25 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
Replies: 121
Views: 34926

Re: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol

The third man in the photo is Jimmy Collins--when he still had hair. Franz was a theatre organist, a musical director and a composer.
by houdini's ghost
October 22nd, 2012, 10:59 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
Replies: 121
Views: 34926

Re: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol

I, too, have been searching for Franz. I believe he is in the footage of Hardeen performing the Metamorphosis which is 1928--I think. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.houdinisghost.com/franzfrank.html">http://www.houdinisghost.com/franzfrank.html</a><!-- m --> Kukol,I think, may have b...
by houdini's ghost
October 18th, 2012, 8:52 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: The Chinese Water Torture Cell at 100
Replies: 61
Views: 23262

Re: The Water Torture Cell at 100

The Houdini birther matter is settled now. I have made the observation that the cell is referred to in Houdini's advertising and interviews as the Chinese Water Torture Cell far less oten than as simply the Water Torture Cell. And "Chinese" does not come up in the patter recordings we have...
by houdini's ghost
October 12th, 2012, 6:58 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Houdini's Original Metamorphosis Trunk
Replies: 5
Views: 1814

Re: Houdini's Original Metamorphosis Trunk

Greg, I knew Ed Fowler quite well because we both worked at 20th Century Fox for years. I was trying to remember his seance name--E. Raymond Carlyle. Milbourne was crazy to get his hands on that trunk. By the time I sold it, I felt like that Knight Templar covered with cobwebs who guarded the grail....
by houdini's ghost
October 10th, 2012, 1:44 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Houdini's Original Metamorphosis Trunk
Replies: 5
Views: 1814

Houdini's Original Metamorphosis Trunk

I never really owned Houdini's trunk. I guarded it for forty-five years. During that time, I gathered some excellent documentation on it, and I proved conclusively to myself (and Joe Long) that this was Houdini's original Metamorphosis Trunk. That he had created it with his own hands with a man name...
by houdini's ghost
September 3rd, 2012, 8:11 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini And Monkey Gland Transplants
Replies: 16
Views: 5305

Re: Houdini And Monkey Gland Transplants

It says on my list Gary Frank bought #36.
But you told me to save #26 of the second printing for you.
At least I think you did.
by houdini's ghost
September 3rd, 2012, 1:13 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini And Monkey Gland Transplants
Replies: 16
Views: 5305

Re: Houdini And Monkey Gland Transplants

He was blind and deaf for many years, but, he still attended all the Paramount board meetings--I think right up to his death. His role in the creation of the motion picture business was enormous. He lived in the same neighborhood as Houdini--during a period when Houdini wasn't there a lot, they were...
by houdini's ghost
September 2nd, 2012, 11:47 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini And Monkey Gland Transplants
Replies: 16
Views: 5305

Re: Houdini And Monkey Gland Transplants

Listen, John, Kevin, but, it's an old Hollywood story that Houdini's fellow Hungarian, Adolph Zukor, the man who created the motion picture industry, is reputed to have had monkey gland transplants and--get this--he got older and older, he went blind and deaf--but he seemed unable to die! For a long...
by houdini's ghost
July 31st, 2012, 6:43 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini's house of treasure
Replies: 4
Views: 1433

Re: Houdini's house of treasure

How exciting! Thank you, Andrew Beer!
Didn't Houdini also write about Evanion in Mahatma?
I think his reminiscences about Evanion are among Houdini's very best writings.
Oh, thank you, too, John!
by houdini's ghost
July 26th, 2012, 3:29 pm
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: Houdini on 'Fractured Flickers'
Replies: 21
Views: 5850

Re: Houdini on 'Fractured Flickers'

They showed the packing box escape from Terror Island--or was it the now missing packing box from Haldane--and Tony under the ice.
by houdini's ghost
July 26th, 2012, 2:02 pm
Forum: Alternative Media
Topic: Houdini on 'Fractured Flickers'
Replies: 21
Views: 5850

Re: Houdini on 'Fractured Flickers'

My brother Joe and I were big Silent Movie buffs. We went to John Hampton's Silent Movie Theatre every Wednesday night. We never missed a single episode of "Silents Please." By that time, we had seen all 15 episodes of "the Master Mystery" twice--and every episode was complete wi...
by houdini's ghost
July 20th, 2012, 12:28 am
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Making of THE GREAT HOUDINIS
Replies: 13
Views: 3838

Re: Making of THE GREAT HOUDINIS

If Arthur doesn't have it, it must be here. I distinctly remember looking at the title, "the Great Houdini," and asking Mel about it and he telling me the title change came about when Sally came onto the film. It didn't surprise me then when later releases of the film reverted back to Mel'...
by houdini's ghost
July 19th, 2012, 9:34 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Making of THE GREAT HOUDINIS
Replies: 13
Views: 3838

Re: Making of THE GREAT HOUDINIS

I've been looking for the script Mel personally handed me. It had purple covers and I think it was titled "the Great Houdini." If I sold it, and i think I may have, it would have been to either Kevin Connolly or Arthur Moses.
by houdini's ghost
July 19th, 2012, 8:58 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Making of THE GREAT HOUDINIS
Replies: 13
Views: 3838

Re: Making of THE GREAT HOUDINIS

You didn't mention that the script was titled "the Great Houdini" until Sally Struthers' reps made the change to "the Great Houdinis" part of her deal.
by houdini's ghost
June 10th, 2012, 6:00 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: This man looks as if he studied Marvyn Roy!
Replies: 2
Views: 874

Re: This man looks as if he studied Marvyn Roy!

There's a better chance my cat could get me to perform like that.
by houdini's ghost
June 2nd, 2012, 7:58 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Houdini's stunt dummy and the eBay mystery papers
Replies: 2
Views: 726

Re: Houdini's stunt dummy and the eBay mystery papers

Could it have been Jon Oliver? A very dedicated Houdini researcher, he flew from Michigan to attend Manny's memorial at the Magic Castle, and was talking about the book he was writing about Houdini at that time.
by houdini's ghost
June 1st, 2012, 10:27 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: BLATANT RIP-OFF
Replies: 121
Views: 21552

Re: BLATANT RIP-OFF

It isn't Stewart James' Sefalaljia (and a couple of other of James ideas).
It is Dean Dill's entirely original approach to a Paul Curry idea.
by houdini's ghost
May 22nd, 2012, 3:33 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Dean Martin doing card sleights?
Replies: 11
Views: 3432

Re: Dean Martin doing card sleights?

My uncle, Ted Haworth, was the art director on "Who Was That Lady" with Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, and Dean. Ted told me that Dean Martin was the best card magician he'd ever seen. He told me "Dean can do anything with cards."
by houdini's ghost
April 17th, 2012, 12:50 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
Replies: 121
Views: 34926

Re: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol

Some of the big missing pieces of the Kukol story are: after he left Hardeen's act, where did he go? When did he die? What became of his wife and two children. From Joe Pecore: I just stumbled across a reference to Frank Williamson in an old Swann's Auction Catalog (Public Auction Sale 1875, October...
by houdini's ghost
March 7th, 2012, 9:51 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Houdini's Height
Replies: 68
Views: 13437

Re: Houdini's Height

Excellent work by David Byron. In the Christopher book, Milbourne showed the cropped photo of Houdini and Downs and said in the caption, "Houdini was not aware he was being photographed from head to toe"--or words to that effect. Only when Houdini published that photo himself in MUM, they ...
by houdini's ghost
February 18th, 2012, 10:33 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Movie Illusions
Replies: 27
Views: 6712

Re: Movie Illusions

A fellow I've run into at the Castle wrote "Now You See Him" on Columbo. He's Michael Sloane. I later worked on some "Kung Fu--the Legend Continues" episodes that he produced and wrote.
I remember Dennis best for "Wonderama."
by houdini's ghost
February 18th, 2012, 9:06 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Movie Illusions
Replies: 27
Views: 6712

Re: Movie Illusions

The Bill Taylor I was remembering is at the upper left of this photo of the guests at Bessie Houdini's 1934 Christmas party at 2435 Laurel Canyon Blvd. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.houdinisghost.com/laurelcanyon.html">http://www.houdinisghost.com/laurelcanyon.html</a><!-- m --> He ...
by houdini's ghost
February 18th, 2012, 4:23 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Movie Illusions
Replies: 27
Views: 6712

Re: Movie Illusions

That was me. It was 1975 and I was actually making my living lecturing on Houdini in the colleges, but, always trying to get acting roles or actor/singer roles. Getting that part on that Columbo was a very happy thing for me. The cast was dynamite--all real method guys. I got to watch Falk and Cassi...
by houdini's ghost
February 4th, 2012, 3:33 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Houdini, reincarnation, and a magician named Von Treck
Replies: 12
Views: 2522

Re: Houdini, reincarnation, and a magician named Von Treck

"I must have had other incarnations on this earth plane, the memories of which are stored up in my subliminal self and bubble up to the surface at times in my waking consciousness, else how could I have gone into the ancient prison in Moscow, Russia, every step along its intricate corridors fam...

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