We've posted extensively about Houdini's five months in Russia during the spring, summer and fall of 1903. That Harry planned to visit Russia a second time is unimpeachably clear. The above letter to Curtis Guild, the U.S. Ambassador to Russia in 1912 - 13, shows intent and timing. (It is marred by Harry's carelessness in saluting Governor "Giles" instead of "Guild," who had been governor of Massachusetts before becoming Ambassador. It's not as dumb a mistake as it appears: the Governor's name was pronounced "guiled.")
The letter is dated the fourth of July, and we can establish the year as 1912 by the stationery. Harry did, in fact, sail for Germany in August.
If Harry was in Russia semi-secretly during this period, in order to undermine Rasputin, as alleged, it would coincide precisely with the lowest point in Rasputin's career as advisor to Nicholas and Alexandra. Rasputin himself was said to be doubting his own powers: according to the secret police files he had even begun to take lessons in hypnotism! Could Houdini have been drafted into being his "teacher?" If you examine the penciled notation in the upper right corner of the letter to Guild, you'll read "Houdini is said to have instruct (sic) Rasputin."
Harry told his lifelong friend and confidant Joe Rinn that he had indeed been in Russia during Rasputin’s tenure, which would explain the persistence of the story about Houdini's ringing the Kremlin Bells, and would perhaps explain the cryptic notation about "instructing Rasputin":
"Just think, Joe," he once said to me, in a reminiscent mood, "the nobles were actually willing to knuckle down to me—a Jew. They said they were more willing to take their chances with me if I could control the Empress than with a crazy charlatan like Rasputin, even if it gave me control of Russia. But I couldn't imagine myself in the part of a psychic faker. I promised to consider the proposition, got out of Russia as quickly as I could, and never returned."
-- from Sixty Years of Psychical Research, by J. Rinn
(Thanks to William Kalush of the Conjuring Arts Research Center for the lead on Curtis Guild.)
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This is wild stuff. Could Houdini have been planning to go to Russia but the trip was cancelled when his mother died? But then there's that playbill... But could that just be someone using Harry's name?
ReplyDeleteAgain, wild stuff.
BTW, I've seen that stationary being used as late as May 1913 (Christopher Pictorial Life page 73).
ReplyDeleteGood questions. There are two time windows that would work with this theory: he could have slipped in a visit to Russia in 1912 or 1913, possibly on his return to Europe after Cecilia died. Maybe after that curious trip to Monte Carlo? The ticket could be for an impostor,though the appearance of Pantzer's name and the annotations in the variety arts yearbook indicate that it might well be genuine. And there is Harry's own explicit statement to Rinn. Once again, as with the story of his father, there is a lot of corroboration for Harry's admittedly out-there story, and no real proof to the contrary.
ReplyDeleteI know that Bess Houdini did a radio program called "I Was There" in October 1942 that related an incident that occurred in Russia that involved Houdini and Rasputin. Unfortunately, I can't locate a recording of it. Do you know if this had to do with the Ringing of the Bells or some other incident?
ReplyDeleteDon't know the answer offhand. Trying to locate script or recording of "I Was There." Got a good lead, will report as soon as something develops. Thanks for the clue!
ReplyDeleteTo Joe Notaro: I’ve located a full set of scripts for “I Was There,” but there is no Bess Houdini appearance in October 1942 (nor anything else related to Houdini or Russia). Also checked October 1941. Could it be some other date? Any other scrap of info that might be pertinent?
ReplyDeleteSee Genii October 1942 Vol 7, No. 2 page 61
ReplyDeleteSo it looks like it may have been September 21, 1942 as opposed to October 1942
DeleteSo it looks like it was September 21, 1942 as opposed to October 1942. My apologies.
DeleteRight, got it. That date would be a Monday, which was the regular broadcast date. Checking. Will probably have to wait until after the weekend. Thanks for your help!
DeleteSee Thursday's post for details on the I Was There broadcast featuring Bess Houdini.
DeleteThere are four unaccounted for weeks from Nov. 18 to Dec. 15, 1912 where this could fit.
ReplyDelete