Did Houdini really escape cuffs at Scotland Yard?

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JohnCox
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Did Houdini really escape cuffs at Scotland Yard?

Postby JohnCox » June 14th, 2013, 12:10 pm

It was 113 years ago today on June 14, 1900 that Houdini won his career-making engament in London by escaping from handcuffs at Scotland Yard police headquarters. But did it really happen?

I've tackled the question on my blog:
http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2013/06 ... id-it.html
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Bill Mullins
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Re: Did Houdini really escape cuffs at Scotland Yard?

Postby Bill Mullins » June 14th, 2013, 1:58 pm

The following passage is from an article, apparently syndicated, titled "The King of Handcuffs" that appears in many U.S. newspapers (such as this one) in the first half of 1901.
When Harry Houdini, the American king of handcuffs, arrived in England, he tried to arrange for an exhibit of his skill at Scotland Yard, but the authorities refused to allow him an opportunity of putting on or taking off official handcuffs, says London M. A. P. So, accompanied by a skeptical London manager, he paid an ordinary call as an American visitor to the police headquarters. Mr. Houdini, after making the usual remarks on everything he saw and heard, casually asked a question about a pair of handcuffs.

The guide took them down and answered: "Oh, these are handcuffs impossible to remove."

Houdini was greatly interested, and the incident closed by the American visitor requesting his guide to lock the handcuffs on his wrists. Then he turned his back and succeeded in getting them off in a couple of minutes.


From an interview in the NY Dramatic Mirror, 6/25/1904.
"I sailed from New York," said Houdini with a reminiscent look in his eyes, "and landed in England on May 30, 1900. I was under the impression that I had been booked at the Alhambra, London, but when I met Dundas Slater he informed me that he knew nothing of any contract for my services. It was up to me then to do something startling, so I made an appointment to astonish the detectives in Scotland Yard. They gave me a very severe test, and I came out of it so well, releasing myself from handcuffs and locked cells, that Mr. Slater at once engaged me for two weeks. My time was extended and I stayed at the same hall six months."


From an interview by Frank Morse in the Washington DC Times of Jan 7, 1906:

"Why did you go abroad?"
"To get a reputation. I tried to get into vaudeville here, but I couldn't make it go. I was practically starving – living in garrets while traveling around giving exhibitions. I offered to give the exhibition on the vaudeville circuit for $40 a week, but I was turned down. Now I get a thousand. I saw I had no chance in this country so I scraped up a little money and took a a chance at London. Manager Slater, of the London vaudeville house, gave me several private trials, and then agreed to sign a contract with me if I could break out of Scotland Yard. The detectives there had no fears about me getting away, and used easy locks. When I was ready I just shook the doors and walked out. After that I had nothing but big successes all over Europe."


So Houdini did use the basic story – escaped from Scotland Yard handcuffs (and/or cell) for publicity – during his lifetime. (And I think the basic story is true.) But your conclusion – that Kellock exaggerated – is probably sound.

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Re: Did Houdini really escape cuffs at Scotland Yard?

Postby JohnCox » June 14th, 2013, 2:10 pm

Oh, wow, great finds, Bill. I should have checked with you before I ran with the idea that the story didn't appear until Kellock. Don't know why it wasn't in the pitchbooks. But these also pretty much reinforce what I concluded happend that day. A minor test without drama. None of these mention Melville, the pillar, etc.

But interesting that Houdini says he escaped from a jail cell!
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Re: Did Houdini really escape cuffs at Scotland Yard?

Postby houdinisghost » June 16th, 2013, 12:42 pm

Houdini told the Scotland Yard story more times than the ones referred to--in one, he mentions escaping from a straight jacket as well.
In the seventies, Manny Weltman wrote to Scotland Yard about the incident. In their reply, they wrote, "We have no record of a 'Superintendent Melville.'"
Houdini and Melville came over on the same ship. Melville, an Irishman, was a gigantic figure at the Yard and in British Intelligence.
Houdini signed in when he visited the Black Museum, but, would he have signed in if he were visiting a friend at the Yard? It has occurred to me that when I have met with police officers or detectives at the LAPD, I didn't sign in. The person on the desk called the individual, and the guy came out to escort me in.
Downs told the Scotland Yard story and so did Bill Hilliar.
Houdini wrote about his three trial performances. Downs wrote that he was present with Hilliar at what he said was Houdini's opening at the Alhambra.
A few years ago, great doubt was cast on whether the Russian Carrette escape ever happened. Now we know that Houdini performed it at least three times.
It's just me talking, but, my theory is that Houdini and his friend Melville put one over on Slater. Those of you who have Houdini--the Key know how it all would have worked.

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Re: Did Houdini really escape cuffs at Scotland Yard?

Postby Richard Kaufman » June 16th, 2013, 10:41 pm

Welcome back, Pat.
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