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JonathanGoodwin New user London 8 Posts |
Hi everyone,
I'm doing some research into Houdini, and have found some differences in people's accounts, relating to his buried alive feat. Some people say that he planned and talked about it but never actually did it, and other people seem to suggest that he did it but, very few times. Does anyone know the reliable truth to this? Thanks in advance, Jonathan |
harry knight Loyal user 207 Posts |
I'll check in some notes and confirm later on.
Harry |
harry knight Loyal user 207 Posts |
I don't think Harry Houdini actually performed this 'buried alive feat' for public viewing, due to his untimely death in 1926. He did however have a metal casket made and did practice the effect and lasted an hour and a half submerged under water. This practice run was presentated at the Hotel Sheldon in New York city.
I check some more though. Harry |
Ian McColl Inner circle 1493 Posts |
A quote from the Kenneth Silverman book HOUDINI!!!
In Los Angeles he risked an escape after being literally buried alive, manacled. His attempt was not well documented, but he reportedly experimented first by having himself shackled and buried at shallow depths, clawing his way out of one, two feet of sandy soil. When fully six feet under, however, he tired fast from trying to clear the suffocating ceiling of earth. For a moment, by this account, he panicked. Breath running out, he tried to holler, clogging his nose and mouth with sand. But, calming himself down, he found strength to dig through, "completely exhausted".
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nucinud Inner circle New York, New York 1298 Posts |
Houdini never did the buried alive stunt. It seems he was talked out of it.
"We are what we pretend to be" Kurt Vonnegut, jr.
Now U C It Now U Don't Harry Mandel www.mandelmagic.com |
JonathanGoodwin New user London 8 Posts |
You see! some say he did, and others say he didn't. Do you know what the source is for Mr Silverman's comments in his book Ian, does it say?
JG Thanks for helping. |
harry knight Loyal user 207 Posts |
Jonathan, Have you looked at Frank Koval's research diaries to see if he has it noted anywhere?
Harry |
Kevin Connolly Inner circle New Jersey 1329 Posts |
Houdini did the buried alive. I'm almost positive he writes about in one his diaries. He did it the way Ian mentions it.
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dylan1961 New user 65 Posts |
Yes, He did do it. Definitely. It wasn't in a casket, but just literally buried, alive. He states in his diary, "The weight of the earth almost killed me." It was one-time thing. He may have planned to do a buried illusion, in a casket/coffin, but to my knowledge this did not come to be.
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Nell Loyal user Germany 265 Posts |
I'll add something I've heard, but have no hard evidence of mind you. Perhaps you may be able to find out more as this seems a bit far-fetched for me to latch on to:
As for the casket version of buried alive, Houdini was developing it when he died (not literally, of course). He did have the casket built and it was touring with him for when the time was right. Supposedly, he was buried in this casket. Like I said, it was just something I've heard. I can't remember where, but I've heard this more than once. Good luck with your research!
"A trick may be very good...but...the illusionist must be better than the trick." -René Lavand
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Mick Hanzlik Special user Mick Hanzlik 588 Posts |
I thought I'd join in! Houdini DID try ba buried alive escape, but not as a performance piece.
I found the following from an Associated press article which I think explains it all. Not too sure of the date, but this was published just after his death in 1926, so the stunt would. have been about 1919. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Houdini counted that he had had "four close-ups with death" in his career of more than thirty years as a mystifier. The closest was in California, where he risked his life on a bet and not as a public performance. Seven years ago in Los Angeles he made a wager that he could free himself from a six-foot grave into which he was to be buried after being manacled. He had first accustomed himself to the sensation of burial by more shallow interments. Scare Nearly Cost Life "The knowledge that I was six feet under the sod gave me the first thrill of horror I had ever experienced," Houdini was wont to say in telling of his hair-raising escape. "The momentary scare, the irretrievable mistake of all daredevils, nearly cost me my life, for it caused me to waste a fraction of breath when every fraction was needed to pull through. I had kept the sand loose about my body so that I could work dexterously. I did. But as I clawed and kneed the earth my strength began to fail. Then I made another mistake. I yelled. Or, at least, I attempted to, and the last remnants of my self-possession left me. Then instinct stepped in to the rescue. With my last reserve strength I fought through, more sand than air entering my nostrils. The sunlight came like a blinding blessing, and my friends about the grave said that, chalky pale and wild-eyed as I was, I presented a perfect imitation of a dead man rising. "The next time I am buried it will not be alive if I can help it." But Houdini did later permit himself to be "buried alive" in a hermetically sealed casket of zinc which was submerged in a pool at a New York hotel. He remained there for more than an hour and a half, bettering the record of the Egyptian fakir, Rahmin Bey. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hope this answers yur question Jonathan. I think I know where you're going here. Just be careful!!!! Mick H |
Mick Hanzlik Special user Mick Hanzlik 588 Posts |
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KingStardog Inner circle 2134 Posts |
"The knowledge that I was six feet under the sod gave me the first thrill of horror I had ever experienced,"
Nice....those don't come every day...;-)
...think not that all wisdom is in your school. You may have studied other paths,but, it is important to remember that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is always more to learn.
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JonathanGoodwin New user London 8 Posts |
Thanks for this guys. Perhaps we may never know for sure, as it sounds like there is no hard evidence, just Houdini's word, which, given his zeal for self publicity, may not be totally reliable.
Any further info welcome. JG |
Kevin Connolly Inner circle New Jersey 1329 Posts |
Nell..One of the caskets he travelled with was from the Shelton pool challenge. This is one he is buried in. I know he had other coffins from other challenges that he used in lobbby displays. I have one here. You can see it in the Silverman book or on the American Experience: Houdini.
Jonathan...Given that Houdini escaped from other challenges at least as hard as being buried alve, it might as well be very possible that he did it. I would guess that being chained inside an embalmed turtle would be equally as difficult as "Buried Alive".
Please visit my website.
www.houdinihimself.com Always looking buy or trade for original Houdini, Hardeen and escape artist items. I'm interested in books, pitchbooks and ephemera. Email [email]hhoudini@optonline.net[/email] |
BARNABAS New user Streamwood IL, USA 16 Posts |
Page 406. Silverman.
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