Search found 434 matches
- April 13th, 2014, 3:22 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Medical Magic and Houdini NY Post
- Replies: 13
- Views: 4216
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...
- April 13th, 2014, 3:15 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Medical Magic and Houdini NY Post
- Replies: 13
- Views: 4216
Re: Medical Magic and Houdini NY Post
Houdini never performed an illusion using a Crookes tube.
- April 11th, 2014, 1:51 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Medical Magic and Houdini NY Post
- Replies: 13
- Views: 4216
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.
- April 7th, 2014, 4:21 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Teller and Posner's The Tempest
- Replies: 0
- Views: 508
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...
- November 29th, 2013, 1:54 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Roland Hill: RIP
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1260
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
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
- November 20th, 2013, 1:57 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: See You In Court!
- Replies: 0
- Views: 839
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
http://www.houdinisghost.com/ernstcook.html
- November 18th, 2013, 5:16 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: The Sworn Statement of J. Gordon Whitehead
- Replies: 0
- Views: 739
The Sworn Statement of J. Gordon Whitehead
A most interesting document.
http://www.houdinisghost.com/whiteheadaffidavit.html
http://www.houdinisghost.com/whiteheadaffidavit.html
- October 21st, 2013, 6:39 pm
- Forum: General
- Topic: Is this really Suzy Wandas?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 18607
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&...
- November 23rd, 2012, 9:31 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini's lost levitation
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1315
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...
- October 25th, 2012, 2:37 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
- Replies: 121
- Views: 35052
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...
- October 25th, 2012, 2:35 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
- Replies: 121
- Views: 35052
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...
- October 25th, 2012, 2:35 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
- Replies: 121
- Views: 35052
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...
- October 24th, 2012, 7:56 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
- Replies: 121
- Views: 35052
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...
- October 23rd, 2012, 6:30 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
- Replies: 121
- Views: 35052
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
http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubb ... Post209310
- October 23rd, 2012, 6:25 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
- Replies: 121
- Views: 35052
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.
- October 22nd, 2012, 10:59 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
- Replies: 121
- Views: 35052
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...
- October 18th, 2012, 8:52 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: The Chinese Water Torture Cell at 100
- Replies: 61
- Views: 23337
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...
- October 12th, 2012, 6:58 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Houdini's Original Metamorphosis Trunk
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1819
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....
- October 10th, 2012, 1:44 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Houdini's Original Metamorphosis Trunk
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1819
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...
- September 3rd, 2012, 8:11 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini And Monkey Gland Transplants
- Replies: 16
- Views: 5325
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.
But you told me to save #26 of the second printing for you.
At least I think you did.
- September 3rd, 2012, 1:13 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini And Monkey Gland Transplants
- Replies: 16
- Views: 5325
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...
- September 2nd, 2012, 11:47 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini And Monkey Gland Transplants
- Replies: 16
- Views: 5325
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...
- July 31st, 2012, 6:43 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini's house of treasure
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1444
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!
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!
- July 26th, 2012, 3:29 pm
- Forum: Alternative Media
- Topic: Houdini on 'Fractured Flickers'
- Replies: 21
- Views: 5865
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.
- July 26th, 2012, 2:02 pm
- Forum: Alternative Media
- Topic: Houdini on 'Fractured Flickers'
- Replies: 21
- Views: 5865
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...
- July 20th, 2012, 12:28 am
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Making of THE GREAT HOUDINIS
- Replies: 13
- Views: 3848
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'...
- July 19th, 2012, 9:34 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Making of THE GREAT HOUDINIS
- Replies: 13
- Views: 3848
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.
- July 19th, 2012, 8:58 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Making of THE GREAT HOUDINIS
- Replies: 13
- Views: 3848
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.
- June 10th, 2012, 6:00 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: This man looks as if he studied Marvyn Roy!
- Replies: 2
- Views: 879
Re: This man looks as if he studied Marvyn Roy!
There's a better chance my cat could get me to perform like that.
- June 10th, 2012, 3:39 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: This man looks as if he studied Marvyn Roy!
- Replies: 2
- Views: 879
- June 2nd, 2012, 7:58 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Houdini's stunt dummy and the eBay mystery papers
- Replies: 2
- Views: 735
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.
- June 1st, 2012, 10:27 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: BLATANT RIP-OFF
- Replies: 121
- Views: 21660
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.
It is Dean Dill's entirely original approach to a Paul Curry idea.
- May 22nd, 2012, 3:33 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Dean Martin doing card sleights?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 3450
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."
- April 17th, 2012, 12:50 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini's right hand man, Franz Kukol
- Replies: 121
- Views: 35052
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...
- March 28th, 2012, 12:35 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Can you do the "coin roll?"
- Replies: 1
- Views: 879
- March 7th, 2012, 9:51 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: Houdini's Height
- Replies: 68
- Views: 13515
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 ...
- February 18th, 2012, 10:33 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Movie Illusions
- Replies: 27
- Views: 6745
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."
I remember Dennis best for "Wonderama."
- February 18th, 2012, 9:06 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Movie Illusions
- Replies: 27
- Views: 6745
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 ...
- February 18th, 2012, 4:23 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Movie Illusions
- Replies: 27
- Views: 6745
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...
- February 4th, 2012, 3:33 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Houdini, reincarnation, and a magician named Von Treck
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2531
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...