Showing posts with label The Magic Demon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Magic Demon. Show all posts

19 February 2024

[Guest post] February 2024 Genii Issue Features Canadians

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--

February 2024 Genii Issue Features Canadians


The current issue of Genii opens with a heart-felt tribute filling an entire page in their "In Memorium" section to the late Micky Hades written by Stephen Forrester.

"The Eye" section (featuring stories from around the world of magic) curated by Vanessa Armstrong has two Canadian references:

  • A photo of Gabriella Lester illustrates a short piece linking to a longer New York Times article on diversity in magic, highlighting three women performing today including Lester. Armstrong refutes some of its broader generalizations.
    Link - https://myqrcode.mobi/70e1232e

  • A second longer piece about the Magic of Tony Eng Exhibition opening in the Victoria BC Chinatown Museum includes several quotes from Tony's daughter (the Executive Director of Magicana Julie Eng) as well as a link to the CBC television report on the Exhibition's openinglast December.
    Link - cbc.ca/player/play/2290720323810


Finally, in Shawn McMaster's column "Knights at the Magic Castle" Murray Sawchuck is prominently reviewed for his December holidays appearance at The Magic Castle along with Lefty (Doug Leferovich.)

 

- The Magic Demon

 

 

Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

 

 

 

 

 

27 January 2024

CBC Radio: Jason Osler interviews Mel Jones and Julie Eng

Listen to Jason Osler interview Mel Jones and Julie Eng "Why aren't there many female magicians?" on the the January 10th episode of "Columnists from CBC Radio."


[via The Magic Demon]

 

 

 

 

09 September 2023

[Guest post] Attention Wallet Addicts: The Chamber of Wallets has opened!

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

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ATTENTION: WALLET ADDICTS!
THE CHAMBER OF WALLETS HAS OPENED


Exclusive to Canada's Magic
by The Magic Demon


Magicians and mentalists love their wallets.

Well, some of us do.

(An aside to any non-magicians/non-mentalists: And why shouldn't we love them? Nothing unusual about that or special about them. Some of us just love 'em, that's all.)

Depending upon who you talk to, they are a positive boon or an unnecessary crutch. Whatever your point of view, it is simply a fact that more and more are produced each year. It's hard to keep track of them all and decide how best to spend our hard earned dollars.

UK magician/mentalist Neil Turton has solved the dilemma by creating his new website, "The Chamber of Wallets." Containing reviews and descriptions of every known wallet - including 'The Informant' by Canada's own Bobby Motta - this impressive labor of love continues to grow and include more entries each month.

So if you are thinking of buying a new wallet or simply wonder which one might suit your purposes, why not visit The Chamber of Wallets?

http://www.chamberofwallets.com



DISCLAIMER: The author has received no remuneration or compensation in any way for reviewing this site. He does admit, however, to already owning four of the wallets reviewed on the site.

- The Magic Demon

 

 

Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

 

 

 

 

 

01 March 2023

ICYMI: CBC Vancouver remembers Houdini on the 100th anniversary of his visit to Vancouver

From the February 28th article "Houdini's daring Vancouver escape was 100 years ago this week" by Michelle Gomez and Andrew Kurjata, on the CBC website:

He "furiously struggled" for three minutes and 29 seconds, according to the paper's report, and when he showed he was free, "a cheer arose and swelled into a roar."

And while it may have been showmanship, Houdini had praise for the audience, as well, calling it "the greatest outdoor crowd I have ever seen."

Houdini's final years
The visit was a part of an East-to-West tour through several Canadian cities, according to Pellatt. A few days earlier, the magician had made similar headlines in Winnipeg.

At the time of his Vancouver show, Houdini was 49 years old. He died from a ruptured appendix just three years later.

...

"He was trying to tell us that you can escape the boundaries of your own daily limitations in different ways ... I think, in many ways, it was a metaphor for people's own humdrum lives."

"And I think people then and now still need that kind of hero to look at and to maybe aspire to."

Read more.

 

From CBC Radio One Vancouver (On The Coast):

Rod Chow and The Magic Demon speak with Kathryn Marlow about the famous magician's stop 100 years ago.

Listen to the interview online.


 

 

 

 

 

28 February 2023

Rod Chow and The Magic Demon to discuss Houdini in Vancouver on CBC Radio One Vancouver

Rod Chow will join The Magic Demon in studio today to discuss Houdini in Vancouver on CBC Radio One Vancouver (on line and locally at 88.1 FM and 690 AM) at 5:20 pm PT (8:20 pm ET)

[Guest post] 100th anniversary of Houdini appearing in Vancouver, BC

Edited at 8:30am to add the link to the article "Houdini's daring Vancouver escape was 100 years ago this week" by Michelle Gomez and Andrew Kurjata, published today on the CBC website.

 

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--

100th ANNIVERSARY OF HOUDINI APPEARING IN VANCOUVER BC

It was one hundred years ago today (Feb 28th, 1923) that the legendary Harry Houdini made his one and only stop over in Vancouver BC for three days and four nights of thrilling vaudeville shows which were prefaced by his awesome upside down straight-jacket release while hanging high above an outdoor street crowd estimated in the thousands.

Canada's Magic provided reconstituted coverage of the auspicious event on its 94th anniversary, which you can find here: [Guest post] Houdini in Vancouver: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, and part 7.

CBC Radio One Vancouver (on line and locally at 88.1 FM and 690 AM) plans to mark the memorable occasion with a brief interview about Houdini in Vancouver with our very own Magic Demon, author of our reconstituted coverage. It's scheduled for today, Tuesday Feb. 28th at 5:20 pm PT (8:20 pm ET) although it is subject to last minute changes as the CBC Radio One afternoon program, On The Coast, provides updated breaking news which may even pre-empt the irrepressible Houdini!

There has also been an accompanying on-line print interview by CBC Vancouver reporter Michelle Gomez about Houdini in Vancouver which will also appear on the CBC News site. You can also find it by googling the reporter's name and adding Houdini in Vancouver.
[Edited to add:  Here's the link to the CBC article "Houdini's daring Vancouver escape was 100 years ago this week"]

So happy 100th anniversary Harry! We trust you enjoyed your time visiting Vancouver as much as Vancouver enjoyed hosting you. I'm sure you'd be beyond pleased to know we remember you and we're still talking about you.

- The Magic Demon

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Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

 

 

 

 

28 January 2023

[Guest post] Johnny Giordmaine in the "Scattering of Seeds" documentary

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--

Johnny Ould kindly reminds us of this link to the episode of the "Scattering of Seeds" documentary series on the life of the late, greatly beloved Canadian children's magician Johnny Giordmaine:

Watch the August 11, 2021 upload at Alfred French's YouTube channel:




Of course, should you wish to know even more about this wonderful magician, you can always check out the John Giordmaine tribute site at JohnGiordmaine.com
 

- The Magic Demon

 

Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

 

 

 

 

 

25 October 2022

[Guest post] Cabaretbijou Comes To Vancouver October 2022 to March 2023

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

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Cabaretbijou Comes To Vancouver October 2022 to March 2023

Their poster says it all.

"Immerse yourself in the wildly extravagant world of Cabaret Bijou.

"An intoxicating fusion of cabaret, comedy, and cuisine with world class Aerial Artists, Contortionists, Jugglers, Musicians, etc etc.

"It's Canada's only Gourmet Cabaret Sensation."

Vancouver Oct 28th 2022 to March 5th 2023.

Under the big (heated) tent in Vanier Park.

Magic too is promised so what's not to like? Food and cabaret in a high class circus-like environment sounds pretty much like ideal entertainment to me.

Details at www.cabaretbijou.com

- The Magic Demon

 

 

Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

 

 

 

28 November 2021

[Guest post] BLAH! BLAH! BLAH!

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

 

----

Random rants and/or raves by readers

Today's Guest Fulminator: The Magic Demon
Exclusive to Canada's Magic


Whatever happened to printed instructions when you bought your magic? I miss them!

With printed instructions on paper you always had something tangible to immediately refer to. You could read them, put them down, practice some, reread the instructions, put them down, practice some more and so on. You could add notes, add reminders to yourself, and even get them personally autographed at conventions by the inventors.  

Printed instructions - some with illustrations, some without -  would always be there to read today, tomorrow and into the foreseeable future. You didn't need any extra devices, technology or encumbrances to access them - just reading glasses, occasionally.

Then, along came video-instructions on a DVD. These often accompanied printed instructions and sometimes didn't. These were fine too if you had a suitable player and if it was convenient to use it. Some instructions on video were rudimentary and amateurish; eventually they got more sophisticated and professional.  

But the point is, both forms of instruction were in tangible physical forms that you could access at any time on your own and wouldn't accidently or deliberately disappear on you.

More recently, many tricks no longer seem to come with any form of physical instruction at all. I mean the more expensive ones too.

All you get are some props, frequently requiring further extensive DIY,  and a link to an on-line video.

What a rip-off!

A lot of the time, in my experience, the links seem to be expired or faulty or the website is down, or else my connectivity to the internet is down, or else my digital device is acting wonky or else there are technical issues at their end resulting in various 404-y error codes. Or else I'm not able to access my laptop or tablet or smartphone - or - just simply prefer not to spend even more time on them than I have already for work. Whatever.

But even when the links work I still feel the instructions at the other end could evaporate in a flash. And sometimes they do. Especially instructions for older effects no longer being aggressively marketed by their manufacturers.

How often, by contrast, did printed instructions work? Gosh - 100% of the time!

And DVDs? OK, so not everybody owns a player anymore. But guess what? Plenty of us still do. Well-treated DVDs should last a hundred years.

So how much are manufacturers saving? (1) Not providing printed basic instructions? Maybe a few cents per unit. (2) Not supplying a physical DVD? More but not much more, assuming they'd already shot something for on-line. Are they now so desperate that saving even a few cents per unit is necessary for them to survive? I honestly don't know.

If the absence of physical instructions is to somehow appeal to the digital generation, connected 24/7 to the internet continuously from first yawn until final slumber, this I most reluctantly at least can understand.

DVDs and printed instructions seem so 20th century.  

But then so are most of the good things we enjoy! Why not continue to always provide at least basic printed instructions for those of us who choose not to be always on-line? (And yes, I am aware of the intrinsic irony making this request via email on an on-line blog.) Is it too much to ask magic manufacturers not to turn their backs on the rest of us while continuing to appeal to the cool kids?

I don't really blame the manufacturers. They just figured they were doing what we, the magic consumers, wanted.

And I certainly don't blame the dealers, they just sell what they are given to sell, as best they can.

I blame all of us, the magic buying community. We've quietly allowed this infuriating degradation of our purchases to occur.

It's not long ago one of the regular reviewers in Genii bemoaned the fact that physical instructions no longer accompanied the items being reviewed. I've not seen that enlightened attitude in print since. I guess even the reviewers have accepted the absence of physical instructions as the way it is.

Well, I'm here to say I'm fed up with constantly being presented with no choice when buying an expensive effect! I'm fed up always having to spend extra time and excess energy trying to find the streaming instructions on-line each and every time I want to look at instructions. (Downloadable instructions are perhaps less problematic but can be equally frustrating for the reasons I have outlined.)

Please understand: I'm not advocating for the abolition of such links. They're great for more advanced stuff and they have their advantages. Of course DVDs do too. I just always want the option of having the basic, essential instructions in print again at the time of purchase.

I'm actually at the point I think twice about making purchases that don't include printed instructions. Do I really want it? Give me a book any day.

To recap, for those of you surfing and watching five screens at once: I miss printed instructions accompanying my magic purchases. Even occasional actual DVDs. But mostly printed instructions.

What say you? Am I the only one left in the reading room or are there any others out there who feel the same way?

If we all make enough noise perhaps some manufacturers might notice.

Who knows? Getting printed instructions again one day might even become retro-cool.

Retro-cool? Woo hoo!

I should only live so long.

 

----

We are also big fans of printed instructions.  Lovely to know we're not the only ones!

Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

 

28 April 2021

[Guest post] Thirteen tips for supporting your closest brick and mortar magic shop

Support your brick and mortar magic shops! 

 

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

 

 --

  

THE MAGIC DEMON'S TOP THIRTEEN TIPS FOR SUPPORTING YOUR CLOSEST BRICK & MORTAR MAGIC SHOP

Whether in person, by curbside pick up or via Canada Post, you can...

  1. Buy something for yourself. Do so as often as you can.

  2. Buy something for a friend.

  3. Buy something for someone you know who is struggling.

  4. Buy something for your favourite nephew, niece or cousin.
    Or somebody else's favourite nephew, niece or cousin.

  5. Get together with magic friends and make a group purchase which you can buy or pick up in one lot and then safely distribute yourself.

  6. Tell your family and friends to give you their gift certificate for your birthday.

  7. Buy gift certificates for yourself, and for friends and family on their birthdays.

  8. Go to their website every week or so and check on their latest stock to see what is new and you might like to buy.

  9. Go to their website often and check on all their stock to see what you've missed and might like to buy.

  10. Check out Murphy's Magic site and special order something from your local brick & mortar.

  11. If in doubt what to buy, buy a book! If buying a book, buy another one.

  12. Check out and buy any special downloads or lessons available on their website.

  13. When you buy something let them know how much you appreciate them.

Don't wait.

Start today!

Use them or lose them.
 
Canada would be a whole lot less magical without our remaining brick & mortar shops!

 ~~~~


Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!



21 March 2021

[Guest post] A preview of Calculated Thoughts

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon. 

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HEADS UP - CANADIAN MENTALISTS!
(And magicians seriously interested in mentalism)

An exclusive preview for Canada's Magic

by The Magic Demon


Doug Dyment, longtime resident of Gibsons on the "Sunshine Coast" in beautiful British Columbia, has penned a magnificent new 398 page hardcover book containing 40 awesome routines that (in the words of Richard Webster) "will become a classic and will be read and studied by future generations of magicians and mentalists".

Entitled "Calculated Thoughts" and published by Vanishing Inc. (and retailing for $60 US) this is an impressive publication consisting of original material and material reworked from his legendary self-published manuscripts (some of which have had their original editions go out of print). Mr. Dyment has long been considered one of the foremost highly-regarded "underground" thinkers in the world of mentalism, and is a past president and lifetime member of the Psychic Entertainers Association (PEA).

Written in an erudite, precise, and clear prose style I don't believe this is a book for the casual beginner. Motivated beginners and more experienced performers will gain much, however, from its original effects and (in the words of Ken Weber) "Doug's dazzling insight[s] into some of mentalism's classic plots".

I won't waste any more space on its unanimously glowing reviews but by all means check them out for yourself on-line at (for example) The Magic Cafe or Genii forum as well as on Doug's own unique and informative website, www.deceptionary.com. (It's well worth a visit even if you aren't yet planning to buy the book.) Doug's site also has a password protected section of corrections and supplements for "Calculated Thoughts".

I'm calling this a "preview" because I don't feel I can properly review "Calculated Thoughts" yet. It offers too much to contemplate too quickly and I've only just very recently bought it - but I can tell you how happy I am that I did and why.

Not so very long ago I was more than willing to pay $50 CDN for one of Doug's acclaimed "underground" booklets, the one dealing with his ingenious solution to one of the "core tools of mentalism", the billet tear (which he called R2D2). I was disappointed to discover the original edition had gone out of print. How pleased and excited I was to discover that for only about 50% more (Browser's Den of Magic is currently selling "Calculated Thoughts" at a very reasonable $74 CDN) I would not only get a thorough and detailed chapter full of Doug's updated and revised best billet tear explanation - but also nine other thoughtful, innovative and powerful chapters with enough new ideas, musings and variations on numerous effects to keep me reading and busy for months and months... and months. Such a deal! Was I happy? Very.

Very very, in fact.

So if you're "into" mentalism, may I humbly suggest this could be your best purchase of 2021. I already have a good feeling that it is going to be mine.

Thank you Mr. Dyment for presenting us with such an inspiring collection of your finest work. It is very much appreciated.

-----

Alternatively to obtaining your copy from the Browser's Den of Magic (where it is currently in stock and listed on their website), this site's other sponsors might also be able to special order it for you. They may even already have it in stock since I last looked.

Full Disclosure: The Magic Demon paid retail for their copy from Clownin' Around (Canada's only brick and mortar magic shop west of the Great Lakes) on Granville Island in Vancouver, BC and has received no compensation for writing these words.


 ~~~~


Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

 

30 January 2018

Mayce Galoni on "What's so funny?"

The following was sent to me by a reader who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.
Hamilton-born, Vancouver-based 23 year old stand up comic Mayce Galoni was recently the featured guest on Vancouver Co-op Radio's (CFRO) "What's So Funny"? (Live broadcast: Sunday, January 21st, 2018). The very funny and very likable Galoni got his start performing as a strolling restaurant magician while still a very young teenager. A graduate of the Sorcerer's Safari, he transitioned to comedy when he started writing jokes for his magic act.

The podcast of the hour long broadcast will soon be available here:
www.wsf1027fm.blogspot.com and/or at www.coopradio.org. Check it out!


From What's So Funny?:
Our first guest of 2018 makes his semi-debut tonight. It's the New Faces edition of What's So Funny? tonight. Well, Newish Faces. Standup comic Mayce Galoni isn't even 25 but he's making quite a name for himself, even before he moved here last year from Hamilton. He's actually from a place called "Binbrook" that I don't even think is a real place, so we'll just say Hamilton because that's where he started out.

Read more and listen to podcast.

25 August 2017

[Guest post] Random thoughts about "UNBELIEVABLE! A Magical Experience"

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon. 

--
"UNBELIEVABLE! A Magical Experience"

Running nightly at 7:30 pm in the Pacific Coliseum at the PNE in Vancouver, BC until September 4th. Free with admission.  [The PNE is closed on Monday, Aug. 28th.]

Random Thoughts For Canada's Magic
by The Magic Demon



It's UNBELIEVABLE... that a whole year has gone by since the first edition of Unbelievable! debuted in 2016.

It's UNBELIEVABLE... how fast the 90 minute coliseum-size magical extravaganza whizzed by.

It's UNBELIEVABLE... again how good it was.

Performance viewed on Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017.

Murray Hatfield and Teresa have returned to the annual summer PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) with their second incarnation of Unbelievable! - a  magical phantasmagoria of illusion, pyrotechnics, music and sheer wonder.

Joining them on stage are American magicians Chipper Lowell and Danny Cole and Canada's own Shawn Farquhar - all performing at the top of their games, combining unique energies to synthesize an evening's worth of spectacular visual entertainment.

I don't propose to review the show element by element  but I would like to refer to a few hastily scribbled notes and mention a few memorable highlights.

Murray and Teresa  - first and foremost and as always, magnificent performers, classy and compelling to watch. I love all their often fire-enhanced big box illusions. At one point they featured three big box illusions at once on stage (which must be some kind of world record!) Later they also did a show-stopping, breathtaking up to date version of "Metamorphosis." I've not seen it done in person since Doug Henning and his version for me was the one to beat. I think I can honestly say that they have finally done so. I was also truly impressed by Murray's innovative and suspense-filled variation of an effect familiar to some of us. I won't give away which one -- but when I saw it I marveled at his sheer brilliant audacity for turning such a classic close up effect into a coliseum-sized miracle. Murray, I salute you!



Chipper Lowell. What does one say about such a comedic phenomenon? He quickly won the audience over with his outrageous antics. We were soon laughing at all his seemingly spontaneous frenetic presentations. His very verbal style is ideally suited to such a massive forum (seating 10,000 at full capacity). It is hard to describe -- it's very "over the top" and somewhat "camp" but extremely focused even when it looks like he's made a mistake. (Hint: He doesn't.) It's hard to combine magic and outright comedy. To make it also look so easy and effortless as Lowell does is the mark of a real pro.

Another impressive talent is American Danny Cole. His silent act (done to the pounding beat of contemporary Latin dance music) assisted by his graceful wife, borders on the poetic. His suits change colour, his ties take on a life of their own, coat hangers behave most mysteriously, chairs defy gravity, CDs multiply, appear and disappear. Throughout these visual impossibilities appearing right before our eyes (and magnified by the two huge screens to each side of the stage) Cole remains the epitome of stylish, sophisticated elegance. This is a magician's magician.

For me, perhaps the most enjoyable moments of the evening were courtesy Canada's own Shawn Farquhar. His opening effects performed from the audience directly to the cameras were stunning card manipulations done to cleverly mirror the lyrics of an accompanying song. The audience loved it. But where he really excelled were his interactions with audience members. His version of "Topsy Turvy" bottles was a genuine delight because of his interaction with his audience volunteer. And it was his "Dancing Hankerchief" routine with a cute little five year old girl picked from the audience to assist him that so won everyone's hearts and unconditional appreciation. You could tell his volunteers really liked him and trusted him and the audience picked up on that. It was an invaluable lesson for all performers.

TIP: Bring earplugs unless you want to go partially deaf early in life. The music is loud.

I said it last year and I see no reason not to repeat myself again this year. Good advice is good advice!  If you are in or near Vancouver run (do not walk) to the PNE and see "Unbelievable! A Magical Experience." You will not regret it.

Congratulations to Murray and Teresa for masterminding another outstanding success.
 

 ~~~~


Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

03 March 2017

[Guest post] Houdini in Vancouver: part 7

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--


March 3rd, 1923 (Saturday)

Houdini's Final Day in Vancouver
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic.


Houdini has his final two vaudeville appearances today (a matinee and an evening show) of his seven in total this week at the Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Reviews have been superb.

His outdoor publicity stunt of hanging upside down and escaping a straitjacket in full view has been major front page news (actually getting more column inches than reviews of his vaudeville show).

What more could one ask?

Well, I had hoped today for an editorial summing up of his impact or at least some kind of "goodbye and thanks Harry" - but neither The Sun nor The Province refer to him at all. (They do, however, both run a final Orpheum Theatre advertisement for his shows).

It's as if they have nothing more to say. (I guess they didn't).

And as if Houdini has no further need for continuing coverage. No doubt he was busy this weekend accepting via telegram another "unique challenge" from the chosen newspaper ally in the next city of his vaudeville tour.

But what I did find, Houdini-related, in The Province on its front page was this curious story:
"Doyle Sure of Ectoplasm"

Subtitled:
"Twenty Three Austrian Professors Said to Have Been Convinced"

and
"Famous Writer Thinks Controversy Should Now Be At End."

What better timing could this have had than the end of Harry's Vancouver visit? I wonder what thoughts raced through his mind as he read this (as I'm sure he must have done).

The story recounts a letter published recently in The New York Times, in which the famous author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries and an ardent spiritualist, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, tells of a "demonstration of ectoplasm" (which he himself apparently had not actually witnessed) by mediums in front of multiple distinguished Austrian scientists which, in his mind, "puts an end to the whole debate so that anyone who reopens it is inexcusably ignorant or willfully perverse."

Gee. I wonder to whom he might he be referring?

The next paragraph is headed,
"Houdini Is Wrong."

Doyle is quoted as writing:
"We are publicly assured. . . I am sorry to say, by my friend Houdini, that this was all what they called 'bunk' and that [the ectoplasm] was really regurgitated food. . ." [but according to Doyle it could not be as it was often the wrong colour.] "Criticism is most welcome and helpful, but I would beg our opponents to exercise some restraint in it, or they will make the subject and themselves rather ridiculous."

And of course, as we know, Houdini would show no restraint in exposing fraudulent mediums to the end of his days and this public campaign (as well as comments like those expressed above by Doyle) would put an effective end to their trans-Atlantic friendship.

----

This was to be Houdini's first and only professional visit to Vancouver. Just over three and a half years later he would once more be front page news but for quite a different, unexpected reason. (His death.)

It's been fun reliving day by day Houdini's triumphant appearances in Vancouver during this week in 1923. I wish I could have been there but I guess this was the next best thing.

I hope you enjoyed reading about it as much as I enjoyed researching it for you.


-
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic. With thanks to the Vancouver Public Library and The Vancouver Sun. The VPL and its staff are awesome!
--

Thank you to
The Magic Demon for guest posting this fabulous Houdini series at Canada's Magic!




02 March 2017

[Guest post] Houdini in Vancouver: part 6

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--

March 2nd, 1923 (Friday)

Houdini Continues Triumphantly in Vancouver, B. C.
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic.


Houdini continues to thrill citizens of Canada's west coast "third city" twice daily at the local Orpheum Theatre. Two shows are scheduled today; the final two tomorrow (Saturday).

Reviews have been universally complimentary for this, his first (and only), appearance in the city.

Today's front page Houdini story in The Sun, however, deals with the publicity stunt he performed outside the newspaper's office around 137 West Pender Street at high noon the previous day. The paper had been building it up with great flair and deceptive hyperbole in previous issues.

I'd like to be able to tell you exactly what is on page one of The Sun. I really would.

Unfortunately, to paraphrase Apollo 13 - Houdini, we have a problem.

No front page exists today!

Despite every attempt to locate the front page in both the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) microfilm collection and the official  Vancouver city archives, no extant copy has been found. Perhaps it will turn up elsewhere another day.

However, we can certainly piece together what must have been a triumphant page one headline story about Houdini's upside down straitjacket escape from surviving photographic evidence and from the story as it is continued on an inside page of the paper.

Both the Vancouver Archives and VPL have public domain photographs of the stunt, at least one of which might have appeared on the missing page one. I've also attempted to photograph the same location in 2017. My photo re-creation of the scene as well as original 1923 photos will accompany this post.

As for the feature story, an inside page headline screams, "Houdini Free in 3 Minutes (Continued From Page 1") - so I think we can conclusively rest easy that all went well!

Bess Houdini is referenced for the first (and only) time, "a comely, shy little woman," making her way through "the dense crowd" with traffic "inspector Hood" to talk with Houdini before he began his "perilous attempt."

A theatrical embellishment or was it genuine concern for Harry? He was after all approaching age 49 in just three weeks. Or did she secretly pass to him some hidden device? He'd done this kind of stunt thousands of times but it is impossible to know for sure at this point. "There was. . . anxiety mirrored in Mrs. Houdini's eyes" reports the anonymous scribe, who felt such alarm genuine and who felt that her concern really "amounted to something" quite apart from the free show about to commence.

Harry Houdini preparing to hang upside down from The Sun newspaper building.
W.J. Moore's photo, Vancouver Public Library 70208A.


But events quickly moved forward as Detective Ricci (as announced yesterday) with Traffic Inspector Hood (who appears to have replaced Detective Sinclair, reported yesterday) quickly confined Houdini into the awaiting straitjacket.

The Sun records:
"Strong men lifted him from the truck. In another few seconds he was swinging from his ankles above the heads of the multitude... inch by inch, foot by foot he was hoisted aloft."

Harry Houdini hanging upside down from The Sun newspaper building.
W.J. Moore's photo, Vancouver Public Library 70208.

Then,
"Houdini furiously struggled to escape..."
Harry Houdini hanging upside down from The Sun newspaper building.
W.J. Moore's photo, City of Vancouver Archives AM54-S4-: Port N100.


Edited to add this close-up of the above photo Tweeted by the Vancouver Archives:


And,
"Three minutes and twenty nine seconds later he tossed the jacket to the ground"

Houdini was free!
"A cheer arose and swelled into roar" from the crowd.

And what a crowd it was that had assembled.
"Perhaps no greater outdoor crowd ever assembled in Vancouver than the one in front of the Sun office yesterday" boasts the breathless reporter, taking time to praise the Vancouver police force's foresight in arranging details of diverting "motors and other vehicles, which left no room for discussions or even a chance for accident."

I'd love to know what those other (non-motor) vehicles were.  But I'd be afraid to ask police who left "no room for discussions!"

And how did Houdini feel about it?

"It was the greatest outdoor crowd I have ever seen. . . I have never seen a more orderly crowd. . . it was a pleasure to work for them and a double pleasure to have such an enterprising newspaper as The Sun to vouch for my efforts..." Could the paper have asked for a better endorsement for their week long publicity efforts on his behalf? He then went on to thank the local Vancouver police for their help. (Especially "decent and gentlemanly officers as Inspector Hood and Detective Ricci. . .") Harry knew exactly what to say at these occasions having done so many in the past.

The rest of the article describes with some quiet awe all the still photographic and silent film coverage of the event. ("Nothing like it has ever been seen before in Vancouver.")

Cameras from every major news reel service were in evidence. To accommodate the most important of them, The Sun had erected a platform above their illuminated sign. You can see it if you look closely at the photograph of the event. On the ground, thousands of amateur photographers snapped away as Houdini "wiggled and twisted himself out of the straitjacket:"

And so did The Sun feel that Houdini had honoured their "unique challenge?"
"The Sun's challenge. . . melted as the immense crowd faded, not unlike a February snowstorm before a gentle chinook wind."

Uh, I'll assume that as affirmative.

Taking advantage of the new medium, Houdini arranged that footage of his Vancouver straitjacket escape would be projected during that very evening's Orpheum performance (and possibly at all remaining performances). Clearly his fascination for the relatively new medium continued unabated, as the reporter noted

"Houdini himself was an interested spectator. . . he came down from the stage. . . while they were being [projected] on the screen. The film was evidently pleasing to the magician, for at its conclusion, he faced the audience with a smile of satisfaction, exclaiming 'Isn't that a wonderful crowd?'"

I'm sure most of Vancouver felt the same way about him.

A paid Orpheum Theatre advertisement similar to the first also appears in this issue.


What the site of the Houdini escape looks like in 2017. Photo by The Magic Demon.
The actual Vancouver Sun building at this location (137 West Pender Street) was demolished many years ago.




TOMORROW: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Says "Houdini Is Wrong"!



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Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic. With thanks to the Vancouver Public Library, The Vancouver Sun, and the City of  Vancouver Archives.

--

Thank you to
The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

01 March 2017

[Guest post] Houdini in Vancouver part 5

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--

March 1st, 1923 (Thursday)

Houdini Is In Vancouver, British Columbia!
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic.


Houdini is major front page news in today's The [Vancouver] Sun.

His local Orpheum Theatre appearances are well underway. His unparalleled sense of publicity is producing impressive results in the local press.

Today's page one story, accompanied by a photo of Harry, takes up well over a quarter of the front page. When is the last time you can recall a magician taking up that much space on page one of a major city newspaper?

The headline:
"Houdini In For Tough Time; Detectives Ricci and Sinclair Bind Him."

In smaller letters:
"Magician Will Have To Wiggle To Get Out Of Jacket for These Two Expert Ropers Promise to Make It Burglar Proof."

Found in the Vancouver Public Library's microfiche of the March 1st, 1923 edition of The Vancouver Sun.



Today is the day (at high noon) that Houdini has agreed to The Sun's "challenge" to escape a straitjacket (they always spell it "straightjacket") while hanging upside down outside of The Sun office building.

But this morning's edition has gone to press long before the noon deadline.

So today they can only report on events leading up to the dramatic public spectacle.

The Sun's reporter, known only by his initials "J. K." has the memorable front page story of the day with his report of meeting up with Houdini the day before (Wednesday). This he did along with Orpheum manager Bill Hart to look over The Sun building on West Pender from where Houdini was to hang outside noon this day.

When they took Houdini to the rooftop of the building, he writes that they "slid through the hatchway like a couple of eels."

But when it was Houdini's turn, the "genius of escape" had "a tough time making the grade." In other words, he had trouble getting through the aforementioned hatchway! One can only imagine Houdini's chagrin. He must have carried it off with his usual calm charm as "J. K." concedes this might have been due to Houdini's "heavy overcoat." But it still leads him to wonder in print if Houdini would also "make the grade" the next day escaping the confines of the straitjacket. (I sometimes wonder if Houdini ever felt too old for such antics. He was just over three weeks away from his 49th birthday). Of course this was all designed to build up and hold the readers' interest.

After examining the building, the three went into The Sun's new "washroom and shower" to "dust ourselves off."

The article goes on to report that the Vancouver Police detectives Ricci and Sinclair promise to make his confinement in the straitjacket the next day "burglar proof."


Vancouver Police Chief James reports that he expects a big crowd to watch the public event. The Sun says that it expects "at least ten thousand."

In response to The Sun's previous exhortation for Houdini to award prizes for the best spectator pictures of his noon "hanging" (as he had graciously done elsewhere) which might be useful "to find out just how he does it", Houdini has agreed that he will give a First Prize of $15, s Second Prize of $10 and a Third Prize of $5. W. J. Moore, staff photographer of The Sun, will judge.

To "up the ante" and reader interest once more, the article concludes, mock-combatively:
"Well, Mr. Houdini, The Sun is ready for you. . . if [we've] made it a little difficult for you to pull your stunt that's The Sun's business." 

Elsewhere in the paper is The Sun's first review of Houdini's premiere evening performance the night before.

Headlined, "Genius of Escape Shows His Prowess; Vaudeville Programme is Pleasing" the anonymous reviewer describes Houdini's Orpheum appearance as "out of the ordinary" and "just a bit different" than Vancouver theatre goers had been used to seeing.

Furthermore, according to the review on an inside page of The Sun, Houdini "amazes, mystifies and really gets on the nerves of his audience - until, of course - he emerges from his cell of torture." Houdini is without question, "the one big feature of the week's entertainment." The review then goes on to list and describe the other performers, the supporting members of Houdini's evening performance.

Of note is a mention of the young comedian Jack Benny, back "again with his violin, also with some new jokes. Some not so new. Still. . . not so bad."

[Note to younger readers: Jack Benny was destined to become a major star in radio and early television and some films. Google him.]

A paid Orpheum Theatre advertisement similar to the first also appears in this issue.

Today is also the first time a reference to Houdini appears in the other major Vancouver newspaper, The Province.

Either because Houdini was favouring The Sun with his exclusive interviews and straitjacket publicity stunt - or else by nature more conservative and thus less likely to engage in such advance publicity - The Province had until now appeared to shun any mention of Houdini's arrival.

They made up for it with a major review on an inside entertainment news page.

Headlined,
"Houdini Headlines Fine Orpheum Bill."
 It was subtitled,
"Seen in Series of Clever Mystifying Turns - Show of High Standard."

The Province's anonymous reviewer describes the show with Houdini as headliner as "undoubtably one of the best of the season."

We get more details of Houdini's  performance. His Water Torture Cell features ("his own invention") as does his version of the Indian Needle trick.

Houdini also appears to have incorporated the latest technology into his act as the reviewer describes what can only be silent film footage of Houdini shown "in a thrilling airplane race and collision." This might have been footage taken many years earlier in Australia where Houdini had made history as the first person in that country to fly - as there is a nebulous reference to "the other side of the Pacific." On the other hand, it sounds much more like footage from one of his more recent adventure serials, "The Grim Game" released in 1919 which featured an accidental actual mid air collision (although with a stunt double pretending to be Houdini). This writer believes it to be the latter.

The review concludes with references to the other acts supporting Houdini on the bill. Jack Benny is given a more positive review than he had had in The Sun, this reviewer noting "for twelve minutes he holds the attention of the audience" with his "original patter," "fine voice" and "engaging natural smile."


TOMORROW: Public Triumph - or - Disaster?



-
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic. With thanks to the Vancouver Public Library and The Vancouver Sun.


--

Thank you to
The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

28 February 2017

[Guest post] Houdini in Vancouver part 4

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--

February 28th, 1923 (Wednesday)

Houdini to Perform in Vancouver

Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic.



Finally! H (for Houdini) - Day, at long last.

Houdini is to appear tonight at the Orpheum Theatre headlining in his first vaudeville appearance ever in Vancouver, British Columbia. It will be followed by a matinee and evening show on each of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Excitement must have been tangible in the city.

But it is too early for newspaper reviews to appear just yet.

Instead, a playfully combative article giving an exciting final burst of advance publicity appears in the lower front page of The Vancouver Sun on this date entitled, "Houdini Defies Police; Ditto Their Hangman."

What makes this article, the fourth, unique is that is is an unsigned editorial personally addressing Houdini in the first person.

It begins,
"Alright, Houdini!"

It goes on to restate the conditions of its "challenge" to have Houdini escape from a straitjacket upside down while hanging outside their office the next day at noon.

I'm not sure how accurate that headline was. His defiance of the police simply would take the form of having them truss him up. As to their "hangman," well, that was a bit of literary hyperbole to be sure. It might not have been strictly accurate but it definitely made you want to read on!

But they were not done. The Sun knew how to "up the ante."

They wrote:
"Just to make it snappy, Mr. Houdini, The Sun expects no less than ten thousand to be outside The Sun office to watch your antics."

In this way, The Sun itself would soon become part of the news it was reporting; it would become part of the Houdini legend.

Then an unexpectedly humorous boast:
"This newspaper has . . .  for its own and your benefit . . . put a couple of new storeys on its building."

I take this as a sly wink to its readers paying close attention. In effect, it's a reminder to them that, hey, this is all good fun! Don't take any of this too seriously! We don't!

It concludes with an exhortation to Houdini to provide a prize for the best snapshot spectators might take of the outdoor event (as he had done elsewhere) "successful or otherwise."

Were they now suggesting his stunt might not be successful? An element of doubt certainly was dropped into the "mix" for the first time. Which was very clever. What better way to entice spectators to come out and see for themselves?

The tone is playfully combative as I said. It was as if they were daring him not to show up - to an event to which he had already agreed (and indeed probably originated). A master stroke of publicity. Having enthusiastically proclaimed his greatness, at this last minute the newspaper was now hinting at his possible fallibility and the fact that - good heavens - he might even renege, the "challenge" they had offered being so great.

What a laugh seen from today's perspective. Houdini and The Sun could not have been better allies.

The Sun concludes:
"You said you would be here at noon Thursday. Well, you keep your end of the bargain and never fear that The Sun won't be there with everything it has promised."

It was positioned almost like a gunslingers shoot out! Who could possibly resist attending it?

A paid Orpheum Theatre advertisement similar to the first also appears in this issue.


TOMORROW: "Houdini in for Tough Time; Detectives Ricci And Sinclair Bind Him."


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Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic.  With thanks to the Vancouver Public Library and The Vancouver Sun.

--

Thank you to
The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

27 February 2017

[Guest post] Houdini in Vancouver part 3

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--

February 27th, 1923 (Tuesday)

Houdini to Perform in Vancouver
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic.



It is now H (for Houdini) - Day Minus 1.

Houdini appears to be coming from performing in Winnipeg (in what appears to be a cross-Canada tour heading west). No doubt he (and his supporting acts including a young comedian named Jack Benny) will appreciate Vancouver's milder weather having experienced Winnipeg in mid-February.

Window advertisements for a Houdini performance and shows at the Orpheum theatre.
Vancouver Public Library 86870.

The public must have been eagerly awaiting the first appearance ever in Vancouver of this legendary "genius of escape" who's exploits they have read about (and possibly even seen dramatized on the silent screen) without ever a hope of actually seeing him in person.

Until now - during his triumphant "return to vaudeville."

The Vancouver Sun, our primary source for continuing coverage, is doing an incredible job ratcheting up public interest in the Houdini story and in doing so has become very much part of his eternal legend.

In the lower left corner of page one on this date is the headline,
"Sun Planning to Make It Tough Job For Friend Houdini."

It first recapitulates the news about his latest sensational stunt, the water torture cell, which he will perform at the Orpheum.

The report at this point is a bit confusing. That is, it is confusing from our point of view today. It describes the water torture cell as both his "original" as well as "self-constructed" escape stunt but then mentions that Houdini will escape from "the can filled to the brim with water" - which surely sounds more like Houdini's old classic milk can escape?

My guess is the writer of this article, not having ever seen the act, has simply confabulated details of the two different escapes into one. Or that he is sloppily referring to the water torture cell as a can. It is unclear. Not that contemporary audiences of the day would know or care.

Given equal prominence in this third article is a reminder of Houdini's "acceptance" of the challenge purportedly issued by The Sun "to liberate himself from a straight jacket [sic] wrapped about him. . . suspended by the ankles, head downwards, from a beam in front of The Sun office, at a height of at least thirty feet."

The Sun enthusiastically concludes,
"This will probably be one of his greatest efforts. . . a wonderful chance to show his genius. . ."

I know if I were alive at the time and living in Vancouver I'd've already bought multiple performance tickets. And for sure I'd be outside The Sun office on Thursday at high noon to see Houdini escape from his straitjacket confinement.

How about you?

A paid Orpheum Theatre advertisement similar to the first also appears in this issue.



TOMORROW: "Houdini Defies Police; Ditto Their Hangman."



-
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic. With thanks to the Vancouver Public Library and The Vancouver Sun.

--

Thank you to
The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

26 February 2017

[Guest post] Houdini in Vancouver part 2

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--

February 26th, 1923 (Monday)

Houdini to Perform in Vancouver
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic.



It is now H (for Houdini) - Day, Minus 2.

Excitement is mounting.

The publicity for Houdini's first ever Vancouver, British Columbia vaudeville performance is gearing up.

It is assuming the status of genuine news; coverage of his upcoming visit is indeed carried as front page news in The Vancouver Sun, our primary source for continuing and developing coverage .

A headline on this day (near the bottom of page one) screams in huge letters, "Houdini To Hang Downwards". Then in smaller lettering, "Strapped in Straight Jacket, Will Swing from Sun Building Thursday."

It goes on to state:
"Houdini, genius of escape, has accepted a unique challenge. . . he offers to free himself from a straight jacket wrapped around him by any member or members of the Vancouver police force, and while suspended in mid-air, head downwards, in front of The Vancouver Sun newspaper office on Thursday at noon."

So it would appear that The Sun had chosen to play along with the Houdini legend with its "unique challenge."

Astute readers will, of course, recognize the fact that Houdini would perform a similar free public stunt in almost every major town or city he played in order to generate publicity for his local theatre appearance. He usually did it outside of the local newspaper office to achieve maximum exclusive coverage by same. It was guaranteed to stop traffic and become a newsworthy event all by itself. One can only bow to Houdini's highly developed sense of self-promotion and ponder what wonders of publicity he would have achieved in today's Twitter-verse?

This second article goes on to describe the nature of his confinement in a straitjacket. By enlisting the local police to truss him up, Houdini once more ensured that no "funny business" would mess up his stunt and that it would be enhanced in the public's imagination by his implied challenge to local police to confine him.

A paid Orpheum Theatre advertisement similar to the first also appears in this issue.

TOMORROW: "Planning to Make It Tough Job For Friend Houdini."


-
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic. With thanks to the Vancouver Public Library and The Vancouver Sun.

--

Thank you to
The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

25 February 2017

[Guest post] Houdini in Vancouver: part 1

Updated February 28th, 2023 to add:

 

Updated February 25th to add:




The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--


February 25th, 1923 (Sunday)  

Houdini to Perform in Vancouver
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic.


Houdini was coming to Vancouver!

Hard to imagine the excitement such news would have generated on the narrow streets of Canada's "third city", Vancouver, British Columbia, back in February of 1923 or some 94 years ago today.

Houdini was then one of the world's most famous entertainers. He had never been to Vancouver before. In an era long long before the internet, before television, with radio in its infancy and silence being the only sound coming from film, vaudeville was still attracting the masses. It may well have been on its "last legs" although its audiences would never have suspected it with a major headliner like Houdini coming at long last to entertain them.

It was still news worthy of reporting.

The first published references extant about Houdini's first (and only) upcoming appearance in Vancouver appears in The Vancouver Sun on this date.

A two column wide by five inch paid advertisement by Vancouver's Orpheum Theatre on an inside page announces, "Attractions Coming. Wednesday Evening. February 28th. Four nights and three matinees. First Appearance Here of 'The Genius of Escape' Houdini (In Person) - Who Will Startle and Amaze."

Found in the Vancouver Public Library's microfiche of the February 25, 1923 edition of The Vancouver Sun.



I would posit that the "In Person" line was to distinguish his live appearance from any filmed appearances or that of any imitators.

A list of accompanying support acts (there are a half dozen or so appearing on the same vaudeville bill) includes a young comedian Jack Benny ("Wit, Music and Patter"). Prices noted: "Matinees: Thursday, Friday, 15 cents to 40 [?] cents. Saturday 15 cents to 55 cents. Nights 25 cents to $1.00."

A similar ad would run every day for the duration of Houdini's three day, four night Orpheum Theatre visit.

The Orpheum Theatre featuring Houdini's appearance in 1923 was an earlier incarnation of same; it is not the structure named the Orpheum Theatre still standing elsewhere today (which was constructed much later in 1927). Houdini's Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver is long gone. It was located where what is now the downtown's Pacific Centre Mall.

A two column wide by six inches photo of Houdini (entitled "Wizard of All Wizards Defies Strongest Shackles") dominates an inside page.

An eight inch deep column accompanying it is headlined "Houdini, Genius, Tops at Orpheum. Noted Master of Escape Will Make Appearance Here Next Wednesday."

It begins:
"Houdini, the marvellous, will make his first big vaudeville appearance in Vancouver next week. Houdini, known as the "Genius of Escape", will thrill and mystify Orpheum audiences beginning next Wednesday."

The article goes on to lavishly praise Houdini by reminding its readers of his numerous accomplishments in the entertainment field. One must wonder how much copy was generated by Houdini's own advance publicity machinery and how much was originated locally, designed to whip up newspaper and theatre ticket sales? 

Houdini was a master of obtaining free publicity for his shows. His antics sold newspapers and they in turn sold theatre tickets. What newspaper would therefore not love him? Especially as the theatre he was to appear in was a major advertiser. And so The Sun was either chosen - or had decided for itself - to become the primary vehicle for promoting and thereby documenting Houdini's once in a lifetime appearance.

This initial article reveals a couple significant facts once we get past the enthusiastic hyperbole.

First, it refers to Houdini's "return to vaudeville". Had Houdini returned happily or reluctantly to headlining such a show? We get no clues. We do know as he matured that he had attempted to master a new, less arduous performance methodology: the capturing of his incredible escape abilities via the brand new medium of silent film. It had not been the overwhelming success for which he had hoped.

Says The Sun:
"It was believed the motion pictures - which showed Houdini thrills, eclipsing anything ever portrayed via the innumerable possibilities of the camera - would reach the acme of his supernatural ability; but he himself says not."

So even Houdini acknowledged that silent film to that date for whatever reason had failed to capture the essence of his charismatic style. And if you've ever seen any of his films you'd know he was understating it. Houdini on film just didn't live up to his potential. His acting was somewhat wooden. He had too much competition on the silver screen to ever become its primary star. So what could Houdini do to make his return to the live vaudeville circuit a memorable triumph? Why, do what he always did best, of course. And that was to come up with a spanking new live performance of a "genuine novelty."

Says The Sun:
"[Houdini] says his latest sensation, liberating himself after being locked in a water torture cell, which he does in full view of the audience, is the most difficult feat he has ever accomplished in his varied and strenuous career."

Houdini comes through yet again! Who could resist seeing him escape something called a "water torture cell?"

Curious that they used the expression "supernatural" when referencing his abilities given his latter day fight against those claiming fraudulent "supernatural" abilities. I will assume in this instance that the writer was just using it as a contemporary superlative and wasn't implying any abilities to communicate with the dead!

Of historical interest, the article then goes on to describe the acts supporting Houdini's "return to vaudeville" which includes a reference to a young comedian named Jack Benny - who "will offer a few moments on his violin. He plays a little, gags a great deal and keeps the audience thoroughly amused."


Found in the Vancouver Public Library's microfiche of the February 25, 1923 edition of The Vancouver Sun.


TOMORROW: "Houdini Accepts A Unique Challenge."

-
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic. With thanks to the Vancouver Public Library and The Vancouver Sun.


--

Thank you to
The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!