MYSTERIES OF HOUDINI

(via macque.blogspot.com)

Based on new evidence compiled in our previous posts, we now believe we can fill in the chinks and discrepancies that have given Harry a bad reputation among some aficionados: many magicians and historians regard him as unreliable, even shifty, in matters of personal history.

Our research indicates the opposite. We believe that, by and large, he was scrupulous in telling the truth (as most magicians are, save when performing). The only exceptions were in matters that might cause harm to himself or his loved ones, particularly his father. Indeed, most of the ‘curious incidents’ of Harry’s life can be seen as efforts to avenge or protect his father.

Not Houdini's birthplace                                                                           (via viewsfromaboveonline.com)

“He lied about his birthplace,” is a common charge laid against Harry. It’s indisputable: he said he was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, but we know he was really born in Budapest. 


Apologists say, “Well, maybe he was trying to be more American, no more Old Country, etc.” Or maybe he was a Green Bay Packers fan?!

With the perspective established in our earlier posts we can see a more cogent reason for this lie:  he was trying to protect his father!

His father was on the lam, afraid of blood revenge, even at long distance, from surviving members of the family of "Prince Erich," the nobleman he had killed in a duel. 

"Sorry, wrong Erich Weiss. Our guy was born in Wisconsin." 

This accounts for why, in interviews with The New York Times, Harry even refused to divulge his real family name! Weiss? No Weisses here!

1918 interview in NY Times, refusing to give real last name    (copyrights Tom Interval/The New York Times)

This also clarifies the otherwise weird behavior of Harry’s siblings: his estranged brother Leopold, who nevertheless insisted Harry was born in Wisconsin; his sister Gladys who wrote a peculiar letter alleging that there was a “second” child named Erich, born in Appleton, named for the "first" Erich, who died (on an impossible timetable) in Budapest.  


Seen as intentional efforts to confuse Harry’s true story these make no sense.  But seen as common efforts to protect their own father, they suddenly click into place.

We'll wrap this all up in future posts.  But first -- something completely different!

NEXT:  The Houdini Whodunit

(Picture credits:  Google Images unless otherwise noted)