Why has Houdini's name survived?
Many of his contemporaries were giants in their own way, yet none of their names has passed into the language - into all languages.
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| "The talk of the entire world!" |
Theodore Roosevelt sort of survives as the Teddy bear, not because of achievement but because of cuteness. Mark Twain is certainly remembered but no one ever says "he pulled a Twain," or "funny as a Twain."
"Houdiniser" in French is translated "houdinize" in English. Even during his lifetime Houdini's name had passed into German: as early as 1904 the sophisticates of Berlin were saying "Ha - Houdini!" and comparing him to Goethe. That, friends, is real magic, a transformation surpassing the Metamorphosis.
Houdini's name survives because Houdini matters! He is the man among men, the Homeric Hero who overcomes all difficulties by supreme development of his human faculties.
We're developing this theme for a lecture at the Library of Congress in the spring. Please add your comments so we can include them in the lecture and credit you, if you wish, by name.
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Houdini matters, because we are still talking about him and discovering new things about this amazing man. He is still relevant.
ReplyDeleteHe was an innovator, master of self-publicity, and showed if you put your mind to it, you can do anything you want and be successful. He is proof that we can live our dreams.
Besides going from rags to riches, part of Houdini’s mission in life was, he declared, “uncovering the natural explanation of feats that to the ignorant have seemed supernatural” [Miracle Mongers].
In addition, many of the illusions he made famous are still relevant today: changing places with his wife in a seemingly impossible manner, appearing to swallow a large number of needles, and making a sizable object (e.g., elephant) disappear in front of an audience’s eye.
Thanks, Joe. Well put. When did you first get interested in Houdini? And why?
ReplyDeleteI first got interested in Houdini when I a kid around 12 years old. I saw the Tony Curtis Movie and picked up some books on Houdini and the rest was history. My first books included Houdini on Magic, The Secrets of Houdini, The Man Who Walked Through Walls and The Untold Story. My favorite book was and still is The Untold Story by Milbourne Christopher.
ReplyDeleteHi David, I live fairly close to Washington D.C. and I'd love to attend this lecture and meet you. Please keep your readers posted on its progress.
ReplyDeleteWas Houdini the first to organize the All-Star Charity Benefit as we know it today? We know that he conceived and organized the benefit at the Hippodrome for the families of the Antilles sinking in early 1917.
Great question! Will try to find out.
ReplyDeleteThe LOC lecture will be in the spring, date still to be determined. Will definitely keep all blog readers informed.