17 blog articles found.
Laying a ghost
We look at a magazine feature on Joseph S. Dunninger, a friend of Harry Houdini's who continued with his work after he passed. It is an interesting insight into just how some paranormal 'tricks' were performed.
Houdini jumps into Melbourne
In February 1910, Houdini took Melbourne by storm with a performance at the now-demolished Melbourne Opera Theatre followed by a death-defying jump in front of 20000 onlookers into the murky Yarra River. It even spawned its own urban legend!
The secret word is .......
Halloween also marks the anniversary of Harry Houdini's death. Before he passed, he had given his wife Bess a secret 'password' that he hoped he would be able to communicate and perform his final escape .... from death. Yearly seances were held, but did the secret word ever come through?
Houdini the star ghost breaker talks about spirits
An insightful interview was published with Harry Houdini who talks of his belief in the afterlife, and his belief in his failure to find evidence of it. After all of the deception he exposed, he was still hopeful that one day he would find true evidence of the afterlife, but was it right in front of him all along?
Houdini does congress
In 1926, Harry Houdini testified in front of congress in Washington to push through a proposed bill aimed at regulating the act of fortune-telling. While the bill never passed, the proceedings were described as an 'uproarious hearing' with plenty of revelations.
Houdini - Investigations Wise and Otherwise
I have recently been re-reading A magician among spirits by Harry Houdini. Chapter 12 of the book is titled Investigations Wise and Otherwise. While the book was written in 1924, I couldn't help but apply the following to the current modern-day field of paranormal investigation. I have often wondered what Houdini would think of paranormal investigation in the 21st Century and perhaps this is the closest we will get.
Houdini's final seance
Every 31st of October, for 10 years, Bess Houdini held yearly seances to contact her husband Harry using a secret code. In 1936, she participated in her final seance. Listen to the final seance!
Houdini and the ghostly photo
Houdini was involved in debunking many spiritualists, including those who practised spirit photography. There was however one photo that supposedly had him stumped. Is this the photo Houdini couldn't explain?
Spiritual Q & A With Harry Houdini Vol 2
A reader wrote to Harry Houdini via The Washington Times asking how an impromptu visit with a psychic deliver such personal information they "couldn't have known!". Harry responds citing the oldest trick in the 'blue' book!
Spiritual Q & A With Harry Houdini Vol 1
A reader wrote to Harry Houdini in the Washington Times with his thoughts on Houdini's approach to spiritualism research in which Houdini responds.
How I unmask the spirit fakers by Harry Houdini
Article first published in 1925 in which Harry Houdini demonstrates some of the techniques used by mediums to deceive with items such as spirit slates and spirit trumpets.
Harry Houdini and the art of disguise
Harry Houdini would often attend seances and psychic demonstrations in costume in an attempt to expose those who were frauds. His favourite disguise was that of a Mr F.Raud
Ladies of Paranormal's Past: Rose Mackenberg
Rose Mackenberg worked for Harry Houdini as an undercover plant to help Houdini in his quest to expose fake psychics. In two years, she investigated 300 psychics and did a lot of significant work for Houdini as his right hand woman in his fight against the spiritualists.
Can the living converse with the dead? By Harry Houdini
On the 16th of November 1924, Harry Houdini wrote an article for the Canton Daily News titled "Can the living converse with the dead?" Houdini goes into detail on his dealings with Eva Carriere and the claims she could produce 'ectoplasm'. It is a fascinating insight into his relationship with the spiritualist world and how he was able to decipher their deception.
Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
An unlikely friendship between a world-renowned magician and a famous author brought together and also torn apart in their search for paranormal truth!
Harry Houdini and the record breaking Australian first flight!
In the early hours of the morning on March 18th, 1910, famed magician and paranormal debunker Harry Houdini made the first controlled, powered flight in an aircraft for the first time in Australia.
Harry Houdini - Magician AND Paranormal Debunker
Harry Houdini is most well known as one of the world's greatest magicians and escape artists. Did you also know that he had a passion for debunking paranormal frauds?