tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47327215534188785472026-06-09T10:10:07.850-07:00WILD ABOUT HARRYWhere Houdini LivesJohn Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.comBlogger6002125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-87827656875898383952026-06-09T06:44:23.169-07:002026-06-09T08:30:44.215-07:00Join the 100th Anniversary Séance at Houdini's homeHow would you like to spend the 100th Anniversary of Houdini's death at a séance inside his actual house? For the first time in over 50 years, a series of séances will be held inside Houdini's private New York home (278) on Halloween. Click the ad below to go to the dedicated website houdini.nyc for more information and to purchase a ticket. Participation is very limited.I am honored to be part John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-77474760800810629242026-06-07T07:05:00.626-07:002026-06-09T08:31:16.196-07:00Three-part "Dynamo Vs Houdini" coming to SKYThis weekend, the magician Dynamo performed a death-defying escape that saw him bound in a straitjacket, locked inside a burning car, and suspended 100 feet in the air against the New York City skyline. It was a stunt worthy of Houdini, and that was the point.Moments after the escape, Sky officially announced Dynamo Vs Houdini, a three-part series that sees Dynamo traveling across America, John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-8442835348246463872026-06-06T06:30:00.412-07:002026-06-06T13:01:54.241-07:00FREE international shipping on Escaping ObscurityOne of the big problems in the world of specialty magic publications these days is the cost of international shipping, especially for books the size and weight of Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini, 1897-1899. That's why I'm excited to share this incredible offer from publisher Mike Caveney's Magic Words:An Unprecedented Offer from Mike Caveney's Magic Words. Free John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-85923683634468086722026-06-05T08:07:15.965-07:002026-06-05T08:34:46.045-07:0050 years ago: A new Houdini biopic in the worksLast month marked a different kind of anniversary. It was 50 years ago that Melville Shavelson and his crew filmed The Great Houdinis on location around Los Angeles and at the 20th Century Fox studio in Century City. Filming commenced at the Wilshire Ebell Theater on April 28 and wrapped at the Malibu Pier on May 24, 1976. I learned about the movie in the July 1976 issue of The Magic Magazine. John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-40398754711672106062026-06-03T02:36:52.566-07:002026-06-03T02:36:52.674-07:00Steve Baker's Houdini tributesHere's an ad for Steve Baker's Houdini Tribute show in Eugene, Oregon, on Halloween 1974. I especially like the juxtaposed images of Steve and Houdini. Steve Baker once said in an interview that he was inspired to become an escape artist after reading Walter Gibson's Houdini on Magic at age 8. The Register Guard, Oct 31, 1974.The Register Guard, Oct 25, 1974.While Steve would sometimes boastJohn Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-91730528212790399452026-06-01T14:05:51.851-07:002026-06-02T04:07:53.237-07:00American Pinball releases Houdini Centennial gameBack in 2017, American Pinball released its acclaimed Houdini-themed pinball machine. Now the company has released an updated version to mark the centenary of Houdini's death. Below are details and a pic of the first machines awaiting shipment. Rumor is that one of these games will be available to play at the upcoming SAM convention in Appleton. For more information or to buy a game, John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-17379075816416932682026-05-29T18:33:40.632-07:002026-05-31T09:51:45.918-07:00When dreams come trueThis week I received my copy of A Strenuous Career: The Personal Challenge and Advertisment Scrapbook of Harry Houdini by Dr. Bruce J. Averbook and David Haversat. It's a beauty. In fact, I hated to take it out of the plastic!
Not to play favorites, but this is the 2026 book that I was most excited to receive. That's because I knew this important scrapbook existed, but I had never seen it. It wasJohn Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-68894724553437629182026-05-29T08:49:00.000-07:002026-05-31T12:09:25.664-07:00Charles Greene III on Exposing Houdini (update)Our friend Charles Greene III is the guest on Adrian Tennant's excellent The Magic Book Podcast. Charles tells the full story of how he acquired these unpublished Houdini images, which are featured in his new book, Exposing Houdini: 52 Lost Glass Plate Images. Click the image below to have a listen.Exposing Houdini: 52 Lost Glass Plate Images is available now.UPDATE: There has been some confusionJohn Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-60593755798718124422026-05-28T18:21:00.000-07:002026-05-29T18:22:14.845-07:00Talking Houdini on The AP Strange ShowI recently had the pleasure of being on The AP Strange Show podcast. We had a great talk about you-know-who.On this week's episode of The AP Strange Show, Houdini historian John Cox joins AP for an in-depth discussion about the legendary magician, escape artist, and arch debunker of Spiritualist phenomena, Harry Houdini.
In this conversation, he and AP discuss some of the lesser known John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-39213191890459435742026-05-27T06:10:27.739-07:002026-05-27T06:10:27.919-07:00More "Mystery & Wonder" NYPL events in JuneThese events at the New York Public Library keep sneaking up on me! Below are two more events coming up in early June. These are part of the NYPL's ongoing Mystery & Wonder: a Legacy of Golden Age Magicians exhibition. Click the headline links to get tickets and more information.The Art of the Illusion: Collecting and Conserving Magic Posters at NYPLNew York Public Library for the John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-50065990348042153102026-05-25T07:06:10.590-07:002026-05-25T07:06:10.707-07:00Harry Kellar: The Magician Who Inspired HoudiniHere's an excellent new documentary from PBS station WQLN about Harry Kellar. Great interviews and good Houdini content as well. Enjoy.
In the reenactments, Houdini is played by Howard Lang. Kellar is played by Aaron Pacy.
Related:
Copperfield shares Houdini and Kellar
Harry Kellar visits The Grim Game set
Letter from Kellar to Houdini sells for $32,500
John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-11634048326492335412026-05-23T08:12:27.659-07:002026-05-23T08:12:27.830-07:00'Houdini Speaks to the Living' at House of Magic in Glenside, PAJust a reminder that the acclaimed play Houdini Speaks to the Living will be at the House of Magic's Smoke & Mirror Theatre in Glenside, Pennsylvania, May 28-30. Click for tickets.In Houdini Speaks to the Living, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini debate the true nature of magic, science and faith through a historically based, largely verbatim play from writer-director Beth Burns and John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-86489583548403786542026-05-22T06:29:09.761-07:002026-05-22T06:29:09.872-07:00'They Come To Watch Me Die' with Humphrey CornthwaiteMagician Humphrey Cornthwaite will perform a one-man show, They Come To Watch Me Die, at Smith’s Alternative in Canberra, Australia, on May 27, 2016. Below are details.They Come To Watch Me Die is a solo theatre performance by Humphrey Cornthwaite based on the life of Harry Houdini. During the performance Humphrey as Harry will break the fourth wall and perform routines madeJohn Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-10923926161368012482026-05-21T06:37:46.333-07:002026-05-21T06:37:46.436-07:00LINK: HHCE highlights from Magic Collector ExpoOur friend Joe Notaro has a full report on this year's Magic Collector Expo, with all the Houdini highlights. Click the headline or the image below to have a read of Harry Houdini Circumstantial Evidence.
Related:
Magic Collector Expo 2024 aboard the Queen Mary
A five star Magic Collector Expo in Cleveland
LINK: HHCE highlights from Magic Collector Expo (2025)
John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-48174058027759037192026-05-19T06:37:37.712-07:002026-05-19T06:44:21.802-07:00Fred Pittella's Houdini key bookmark and lapel pinOur friend and collector, Fred Pittella, has released two new pieces of Houdini merchandise memorabilia. The first is a high-quality bookmark with a replica Bean Giant Handcuff Key. "So your next page doesn't escape you!" says Fred. A mini trading card also comes loose in the package. With so many new Houdini books this year, a good bookmark is a must!Next is a high-quality lapel pin depicting John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-46178493319166832592026-05-18T06:50:25.297-07:002026-05-18T06:50:25.395-07:00How about a review?My new store and publishing imprint, Wild About Harry PRESS, is doing well. I've sold out of my stock of signed and sealed Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini, 1897-1899. Thank you to everyone who bought their copy from me. Copies are still available from Mike Caveney's Magic Words, but if you still want to buy a signed or discounted edition from me, let me know by clickingJohn Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-14299787986596653612026-05-16T07:25:34.133-07:002026-05-16T07:30:55.811-07:00'A Strenuous Career' available now from 1878 PressThe centenary books keep coming! David Haversat has announced the publication of A Strenuous Career: The Personal Challenge and Advertisement Scrapbook of Harry Houdini. Below are details.For the first time in history, A Strenuous Career: The Personal Challenge and Advertisement Scrapbook of Harry Houdini places in your hands a breathtaking, full-color facsimile of one of the most significant John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-7244603688758413632026-05-15T06:42:52.519-07:002026-05-15T06:53:32.129-07:00The Truth About Houdini on its 5othI've already talked about how I was bitten by the Houdini bug in late 1975 after the one-two punch of seeing Houdini (1953) and Doug Henning's first magic special. As we entered 1976, I was officially "into" Houdini and started searching for more. That's when the universe seemed to conspire to turn me into a Houdini fanatic by feeding me a steady stream of new Houdini gems. One of those was the John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-11939078116613750922026-05-13T06:19:58.542-07:002026-05-13T06:19:58.713-07:00Bruce Averbook to receive 2026 Milbourne Christopher AwardOur good friend Dr. Bruce Averbook will receive the 2026 Milbourne Christopher Award for Magic History Preservationist. This is certainly deserving. Bruce owns one of the best magic collections in the world and houses it in one of the best private museums, The Averbook Magic Art Museum & Library. Last year, Bruce allowed the publication of Houdini's first travel diary from his collection. TheJohn Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-40492322974238877032026-05-11T06:35:00.000-07:002026-05-11T17:44:53.711-07:00The Grim Game will screen in New York, May 15Houdini's best silent film, The Grim Game (1919), will screen this Friday, May 15 at 6:30 PM, at the New York Public Library's Bruno Walter Auditorium. The screening will include live piano accompaniment by Makia Matsumura and be followed by a discussion with Dorothy Dietrich. This is part of the programming for the New York Public Library's ongoing "Mystery & Wonder: a Legacy of Golden Age John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-90624704968816586582026-05-10T08:09:00.000-07:002026-05-10T08:09:04.177-07:00Pateron double reward in MayEvery month, I offer my patrons a special reward as thanks for their support. This month, I'm offering a double reward. The first is the Third Quarter 1993 Mystifier newsletter as a searchable PDF. It's an interesting issue with an insightful article on Houdini's physical fitness routines by Zen Karate author Randall Bassett, the first printed interview with Houdini's assistant Dorothy Young, andJohn Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-14493319550145570422026-05-08T06:41:00.000-07:002026-05-08T06:44:45.501-07:00Houdini concludes his first "3 Shows in One" tourIt was 100 years ago today that Houdini completed the first tour of his full evening "3 Shows in One" in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This was the second half of a split week. The show played two days in Akron before moving on to Harrisburg for the final three shows. The below from the Harrisburg Telegraph gives a nice taste of the show.Harrisburg Telegraph, May 8, 1926.This piece also provides someJohn Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-80746936991719562652026-05-08T06:30:00.000-07:002026-05-08T12:58:45.279-07:00Houdini Historia De Una Muerte in Valencia, SpainA new play, Houdini Historia De Una Muerte (Houdini: Story of a Death), opens tomorrow, May 9, at the Flumen Theatre in Valencia, Spain, and plays through May 17, 2026.Harry Houdini defied everything: chains, prisons, water, and even logic.
In this show, Houdini presents himself to the public in what appears to be his final confession. A fascinating journey through his life, his achievements, John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-64882803044188643542026-05-06T06:51:00.000-07:002026-05-08T15:51:41.996-07:00EXPOSING HOUDINI now shipping!Charles Greene III's new book, Exposing Houdini: 52 Lost Glass Plate Images, is available now from his website ioniasecrets.com. Charles debuted the book in Paris last week. He tells me he will start shipping pre-orders this week. Charles didn't do a huge print run, so you don't want to delay on this one. Also, the price of $75 is good until after the Magic Collector's Expo (May 12-14), then it John Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732721553418878547.post-8778888994436300992026-05-05T06:39:00.000-07:002026-05-05T06:39:06.225-07:00Photos from David Haig’s MAGIC Here is a collection of photos from David Haig’s Magic, which is currently playing at the Chichester Festival Theatre until May 16, 2026. The play features Haig as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Hadley Fraser as Houdini, and Jenna Augen as Bess.You can see more images and buy tickets to Magic at the Chichester Festival Theatre website.Related:See MAGIC at theJohn Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391313393222271260noreply@blogger.com4