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John Cox Elite user Studio City, CA 494 Posts |
Hey gang,
Thanks to the miracle that is Ask Alexander, I've uncovered some nice information about Bess Houdini's only movie, Religious Racketeer (aka Mystic Circle Murder). Enjoy. When Madame Houdini spoke |
houdinisghost Loyal user 287 Posts |
Hey, John,
Let me digress and tell you that this blog: http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/search/l......in%20ice About Bessie presenting Freezing a Man in a Block of Ice, quotes me as saying, in Tao of Houdini, that the indian Bess froze in the block of ice was Ed Saint who would later become her manager and life companion. I am now almost positive the man was not Ed Saint. In fact, I think Kalush told me who it really was. The man who told me that it was Ed in the ice was a good old friend, Ray Muse, who is mainly remembered today for having mentored Marvyn "Mr. Electric" Roy. He also told me that Ed Saint and Bess Houdini were married. That has not proved to be the case--so far. Most of what Ray told me about Houdini was wrong, but, he was working from what was known in his day: what Bessie Houdini told people in her biography of her husband (written with Harold Kellock, 1928), and what she and Ed Saint told them in person. And the old guys who recalled Ed and Bessie for me each remembered the stories his own way. Gerry Kosky and Lenn Gunn were the clearest of the bunch. I touch on the Freezing a Man illusion as well as the infamous Arthur Ford seances and messages on this web page: http://www.houdinisghost.com/bess.html |
John Cox Elite user Studio City, CA 494 Posts |
Oh, thanks, Patrick. I'll put in an update/correction.
Too bad. I liked the idea of that being Saint. |
John Cox Elite user Studio City, CA 494 Posts |
While doing research for this post about Bess's movie, I came across something that I think is a real bombshell. Secretly recorded private telephone conversations between Bess Houdini and the "leading magicians of the day"? Does anyone know what happened to these?
The secret recordings of Bess Houdini |
houdinisghost Loyal user 287 Posts |
The Freezing a Man was 1928.
According to James Matthews, who wrote a fun and informative little book--"Dr. Edward Saint--or Sinner?"--Bessie met Ed Saint in 1930. "Bess Houdini met Edward Saint in 1930, when she acquired a summer house in Rye, New York. In an article 'Recollections of Bess Houdini' by Marie Hinson Blood, Houdini's niece and frequent guest in the Houdini household, she recalls the following. "'Aunt Bess bought a cottage in Rye Beach, NY. We used to walk to Playland each evening. There was a large administration building there where Bess met a (man) named Edward Saint. He had been in show business all his life. He had lots of connections and knew all the ropes. He was a magician and a mentalist. Bess loved mentalism (especially palm readers) and became good friends with Edward. He was a fine man and we liked him very much. He was good for Bess and became her manager. He watched out for her and kept people from persuading Bess to invest in their business ventures.'" I don't want to muddle up this thread which is very interesting. Tell us more, John. Patrick Culliton http://www.houdinisghost.com/ |
John Cox Elite user Studio City, CA 494 Posts |
You know, I don't have that Dr. Edward Saint--or Sinner? booklet, and that kills me. Recently one came up on eBay, but it went past my limit. The Bess-Saint story fascinates me because I think there's still a lot of be discovered (like these phone recordings). And, of course, there's the suggestion that they were married.
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Slim King Eternal Order Orlando 18012 Posts |
I think Saint was a con man... Charles David Meyers, Professor Sesrad, Sir Edwars St. Raw-Diem, and eventually Dr. Edward Saint..... I don't believe he was a Dr.
When Bess said .. "Ten years is long enough to wait for any man" she'd already been with Saint for six years ...
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS.. The Worlds Foremost Authority on Houdini's Life after Death.....
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Slim King Eternal Order Orlando 18012 Posts |
I've just purchased the movies from The Miracle Factory (Tod is sending a bonus) ... just missed the big sale. I'll be on the internet and radio with some open discussions about the Houdini situation. It seems some interesting things began happening once Bess and Saint hooked up in 1930.
I just read that the initial release was stopped (At least in part of New York)because Saint refused to return a telegram from the theater owners regarding the Houdini Code. Perhaps that is why they changed the name? Posted: Mar 1, 2015 11:52 pm I also purchased the book Dr. Edward Saint...or Sinner ...
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS.. The Worlds Foremost Authority on Houdini's Life after Death.....
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Slim King Eternal Order Orlando 18012 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 17, 2011, John Cox wrote: Do you want me to send you my copy?
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS.. The Worlds Foremost Authority on Houdini's Life after Death.....
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