Houdini on WTIC radio (1925)

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JohnCox
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Houdini on WTIC radio (1925)

Postby JohnCox » December 15th, 2010, 11:40 am

Heres something I think is pretty darn cool. This is the full transcript, from my own collection, of a radio address Houdini gave on station WTIC-CT in 1925. You can really hear his voice in this.

Houdini did a lot of radio in the final years of his life. What Id like to know is whether any recordings exist? Or was ALL radio done live back then? But even live broadcast could have been recorded, no?

Anyway, enjoy.

http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2010/12 ... dress.html
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houdini's ghost
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Re: Houdini on WTIC radio (1925)

Postby houdini's ghost » December 15th, 2010, 1:38 pm

This is a terrific page.
Two things: there is another Water Torture Cell speech which Louis Rachow played for me at the Players Club in 1976 in which Houdini says, "I don't expect any sort of accident to happen, but, we all know, accidents WILL happen--and when least expected."
Gave me goosebumps. Spine-tingling.
I've never heard that recording since.
Dorothy Young told me that when she worked with Houdini, his stage speech was much more conversational than the recording from 1914.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Houdini on WTIC radio (1925)

Postby Richard Kaufman » December 15th, 2010, 2:31 pm

I assume the recording you heard, Patrick, is now in Copperfield's collection.
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Brad Jeffers
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Re: Houdini on WTIC radio (1925)

Postby Brad Jeffers » December 15th, 2010, 2:40 pm

What Id like to know is whether any recordings exist? Or was ALL radio done live back then? But even live broadcast could have been recorded, no?
[/quote]
The best source for vintage radio shows is Jerry Handegis. Go to www.otrsite.com

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JohnCox
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Re: Houdini on WTIC radio (1925)

Postby JohnCox » December 16th, 2010, 10:58 am

Thanks for the link, Brad, but I expect if any Houdini recordings exist they are buried deep and undiscovered in some radio archive. But I'll contact Jerry and alert him to my article -- maybe get him on the sent. He sure seems to know his stuff. Thanks again.
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JohnCox
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Re: Houdini on WTIC radio (1925)

Postby JohnCox » December 20th, 2010, 2:53 pm

UPDATE: I've just exchanged emails with the very helpful Chief Engineer of WTIC who is going to make a search of their archives. He says it's a long-shot as only a handful of recordings from 1925 still exist, but WTIC does archive special and historic broadcasts such as this. He also said he believes the WTIC guestbook contains Houdini's signature. How cool is that?
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Leonard Hevia
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Re: Houdini on WTIC radio (1925)

Postby Leonard Hevia » December 21st, 2010, 6:43 pm

Any word yet, John?

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JohnCox
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Re: Houdini on WTIC radio (1925)

Postby JohnCox » December 21st, 2010, 7:13 pm

Nope, not yet. Might have to wait until after the holidays. But if I haven't heard anything after the 1st, I'll check back.
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