Category Archives: Family

When Harry Met Larry: Was this man Houdini’s assistant?

Posted on June 30, 2019 by Houdini

By Tom Interval Blogcast #10 is live! This one’s about a man who claimed he was Houdini’s assistant for 33 years, but I cast some doubt on that. It’s based on a blog I wrote a few days ago, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Escapes, Experts, Family, Gladys, Imitators, Larry Lewis, Leopold, Multimedia, Nathan, Patreon, Patrick Culliton, Podcasts, Siblings, Straitjacket, Theodore (Hardeen), Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Houdini

By Tom Interval This man claimed to be Harry Houdini’s assistant and stand-in for 33 years. It just ain’t so. Read more at the Interval Magic blog: https://intervalmagic.wordpress.com/2019/06/25/when-harry-met-larry/ # # #

Posted in Bess, Escapes, Gladys, Imitators, Larry Lewis, Leopold, Myths, Nathan, Other Escapologists, Patrick Culliton, Straitjacket, Theodore (Hardeen) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Leo’s Connecticut Mansion 360-degree Picture

Posted on April 23, 2019 by Houdini

LINK: Harry Houdini’s Brother Leo Owned This Connecticut Mansion By Tom Interval Are you a Houdini geek? A Connecticut history buff? No? Then the video below probably isn’t for you. It might sound kinda silly, but Houdini enthusiasts like me … Continue reading →

Posted in 162 Old West Mountain Rd., 286 Webb's Hill Rd., Buildings, Homes, Homes, Leopold, Siblings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blogcast #2: The Houdini Grave

Posted on February 23, 2019 by Houdini

By Tom Interval Blogcast #2: The Houdini Grave is now live on YouTube. I discuss my 1990 visit to Houdini’s gravesite in Machpelah Cemetery in Queens, New York.

Posted in Bess, Cecilia, Death, Dick Brookz, Dorothy Dietrich, Family, Gladys, Grandparents, Grave, Herman, Leopold, Machpelah Cemetery, Mayer, Nathan, Parents, Podcasts, Siblings, Theodore (Hardeen), Videos, William | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blogcast #1: Harry Houdini’s Dad Fired for Not Speaking English?

Posted on February 20, 2019 by Houdini

By Tom Interval Last June I wrote an article asserting that Harry Houdini’s father, Rabbi Mayer Samuel Weiss, was not fired by his congregation simply because he couldn’t speak English. I’ve decided to make that blog the first in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Bernard C. Meyer, Bess, Biographies, Books, Cecilia, Family, Gladys, Herman, kenneth silverman, Leopold, Letters, Life Phases, Mayer, Nathan, Parents, Podcasts, Siblings, Theodore (Hardeen), William, Youth, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rabbi Weiss’s Farewell Sermon

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Houdini

By Tom Interval Listen to/watch this blog entry in video format → When Rev. Dr. Mayer Samuel Weiss arrived in the United States in 1876, doubt likely plagued his mind. At 47, he wasn’t a young man anymore, but he … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Bernard C. Meyer, Bess, Biographies, Birth, Books, Cecilia, Collections, Digital, Family, Gladys, Herman, Homes, kenneth silverman, Leopold, Literature, Mayer, Nathan, Parents, Siblings, Theodore (Hardeen), William | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Legends and Lore Persist in Houdini Miniseries

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Houdini

By Tom Interval It’s the dead of winter. Thousands of gawking spectators flood a bridge spanning the frozen river below. The crowd braves the bone-splitting cold for only one reason: to see a man die. Of course, they might not … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Bernard C. Meyer, Bess, Cannon, Cecilia, Death, Escapes, Literature, Mayer, Milk Can, Movies, Parents, Portrayals, Siblings, Straitjacket, Television, Theodore (Hardeen), Water Torture Cell | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Did this man live at 278 W. 113th St. before Houdini?

Posted on May 17, 2014 by Houdini

By Tom Interval We know a few things about Harry Houdini’s New York City home at 278 W. 113th St. and even got a glimpse inside last year when the New York Daily News interviewed Fred Thomas, the current owner. … Continue reading →

Posted in 278 W. 113th St., Bess, Buildings, Family, Homes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Happy Birthday, Houdini!

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Houdini

By Tom Interval On March 24, 1874—140 years ago today—legendary escape artist and magician Harry Houdini escaped from his mother’s womb in Budapest, Hungary. Born as Erik Weisz in a room at Rákosárok utca 1. sz. (a street now known … Continue reading →

Posted in Birth, Buildings, Cecilia, Mayer, Parents, Rákosárok utca 1. sz. | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Houdini’s Stamford Home Identified: 286 Webb’s Hill Road

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Houdini

By Tom Interval Listen to/watch this blog post on video → One of Harry Houdini’s better-known homes was (and is) located at 278 W. 113th St. in Harlem, his permanent residence. However, unless you’re a Houdini geek, you might not … Continue reading →

Posted in 278 W. 113th St., 286 Webb's Hill Rd., Bess, Buildings, Homes, Leopold | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments