The Life And Magic Of The Real Harry Houdini | The Magic Of Houdini | Timeline
Alan Davies explores the extraordinary life of Harry Houdini, who against the odds was among the richest, most successful entertainers in the world, he was the ultimate showman and one of the first American celebrities. In order to understand why Houdini felt compelled to perform such terrifying death-defying stunts, Alan tries to hold his breath under ice cold water, lies on a bed of nails and is strung up upside down in a straitjacket, among other things.
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My Grandfather actually met Harry Houdini several times while working circus tours and acts on the road . I remember him telling me about him my gramps said in a nutshell he was a very intelligent ,mysterious man and when he spoke you wanted to soak up everything he said he really admired him a lot and he was quite approachable not snobbish I’ve read many of his books ever since!
@Vickie Lourenzo 1 hello :)
A Remarkable Man .....
That is so awesome ❤
Everytime I start to feel that Social Media is going to be the death of us, I find a story/comment like this that gives every single person that reads it a moment of “WOAH! That’s so cool!”, and that’s what we’re here for. Let’s hope that we can all use Social Media on this end of things rather than the constant hatred, disbelief, and disrespect we see commonplace
Wow!!
Well having recently had a ruptured appendix and the incredible pain there in Houdini is absolutely an inspiration to me. I love his saying "my brain is the key that sets me free ".... rest in peace Harry
Houdini ... a legend who truly deserved it.
@@coreyham3753 A ruptured appendix?
@@randomcomputer7248 Yes, the result of a freak punch to the stomach before he was ready to take it. Had he been ready, it very likely would have been a different result.
I was 6yrs old and my Appendix was close to rupturing, they got me to the hospital just in time and Illl never forget the horrible smell and effects of the anesthesia Ether !
Born in Eastern Germany behind the Iron Curtain, my Dad (born in 1915) told me about Houdini when I was a child. World famous! Thanks for this documentary :)
"He used ordinary EVERYDAY household objects." Goes on to list a straitjacket. I'm sure your average closet has a few hanging around.
@Slick Armor Wow I thought you wrote 'smacks' instead of 'snacks' It was different times either way...
Yours didn’t?
@@garyfrancis6193 Handcuffs but no straitlacket, LMAO.
@@KyleCowden Understandable, a decent straitjacket is really expensive!
@@KyleCowden If you've got a mother in law, believe me, a straightjacket is mandatory.
There are magicians, and then there’s Houdini. Houdini was and always will be the greatest
How do you figure? It was cool cause it was the first but in reality most his stunts were kinda lame... David Blain I think is the best ever
@@natecote1971 Blain? Well we will have to agree to disagree then. There will never be another Houdini. He is the one the rest of them try to emulate. You should read some books on Houdini. He was so intricate and advanced for his time. A genius. To each his own my friend
@@johnburrows1179 rite on
nah chris angel is 20 times better
@@redwave2126 😂😂😂😂😂
Harry once said that "his greatest escape was leaving Appleton Wisconsin". Being from Wisconsin, i find it my favorite quote.
But how about Piff the Dragon then.. surely....😊
It is Appleton after all.
@@adushack1982 i got drunk there a few times. The hangovers were nothing special.
Love this
Then I must be an escape artist too....I escaped Lorain, Ohio......the day I left....my life really began. Terrible town...useless...no future.....dead.
One of my mother's favorite sayings was "What do I look like, Houdini?". And then I watched an old movie about him.
I met Harry Houdini ones,
What did she mean by that??
@@Ohkeh640 I guess is something like "do you expect me to do magic or something" but not sure
Parents of a certain age, when asked for money or something requiring money, were fond of saying "You expect me to pull money out of thin air? I'm not Houdini!" It's similar to the old idiom "Money doesn't grow on trees!"
You’re a wizard harry!
Named my cat after him. He can escape the house .He can open doors with round knobs. Oh my drinks seem to just go empty.
His name seems to suit him quite well 🤣☺️
My mam has a Houdini cat too, she goes for walks with her, runs along the road, up on walls, it's lovely to see
That is a great name for a cat! As you say your cat is an escape artist. Most cats have that tendency!🐕🐈🐅text📬How many cats do you have? I have 2, Flpwer & Mittens.
Hahahaha that’s epic xx
That sword swallowing is really amazing, no trickery, it IS actually a real blade (obviously not sharpened on the edge), and it IS going where it looks like it's going. Getting it wrong can be fatal.
That's why I love sword swallowing and fire eating and acts of the like. It's real, there's no magic to it, just training your body with immense dedication and lots of practice
I have always been obsessed with Harry Houdini....he was a master of self mind control...
I'm always fascinated by Houdini and his dedication to his craft. I also very much enjoyed this program being narrated by Alan Davies :)
Alan Davies added immeasurably to the overall entertainment of this presentation.
Love the Loop coffin
No he didn't, he degraded it.
@@markhirstwood4190 Agreed.
Nice... I've got this great original book from the 40's called "The Secrets of Harry Houdini". The man was brilliant, is the only way to describe the level of thought that went into his work. Not only in terms of his theatrical work, but also the work he put into debunking and exposing charlatan 'spiritualists' that were praying on those gullible enough to believe them.
Very true about debunking spiritualists. His good friend Sir Authur Coonan Doyle tried to make a believer of Houdini but he would have none of it!!!
Well said !
I noticed Copperfield didn't talk about his prized possession a book on witchcraft. But then most people don't believe in real magic. Thanks for this show man who was without the aid of the supernatural
agreed.
I was most impressed with David Copperfield's collection of Houdini memorabilia. The only recording of his voice was awesome.
Always loved watching David Copperfield on television when I was a child back in the middle 90's. He'd guess the numbers right everytime.
@@princessinmittens4783 Me too, Princess. I'm sure Houdini would be proud of him for his skills.
Also check out Jim Steranko's collection of Houdiniana.
that was AWESOME 👌.. really good, istory.. Houdini was the real deal HUGE RESPECT.
Jesus Christ was a superior magician
@@mk-ee7vx what Jesus did was called (MIRACLES) no magic to it. He was real as it gets.
Houdini was the one every other magician measured themselves too!!
He still is.
Yes, Houdini was a poor magician but a great showman. Possibly the greatest. When I say poor magician I mean compared to the great magicians not average ones or normal people. He was obviously reasonable. But it's his showmanship that sets him apart. Who else can drag out an hour long look at a curtain while music plays for a 2 minute trick. Apart from the illusion half way of cutting his sleeves which made no difference he did almost nothing. That takes incredible showmanship and built up suspense. And who else could have a couple guys push a huge box on stage before an elephant enters, dissalpears, and then a dozen men struggle to push the box off stage. It's quite obvious where the elephant is. Houdini was the greatest showman of all time.
No one could possibly measure up to Erik Weiss! (his real name) Harry was truly one of a kind. He was a true artist who was expert at his craft. The story about the guy punching his stomach may be true, but I am pretty certain Houdini had very strong Abs. Also the appendix is pretty deep in lower abdomen, covered w/ strong muscles & the punch was higher on the Abs. It would be rather difficult to hit the appendix when someone gives you a "gut punch" I think the appendicitis/rupture were coincidental. I am a nurse, so I think I am right!
Fantastic timeline story!☺️🤗
Stonehenge is fake
@@donmega6687 Biden is fake
For sure one of the best history channels on YT👍🧠
Houdini was pure magic. An awesome force to be reckoned with.
Idk why but that lady swallowing the sword really got my attention.
She sounded like she was all Oxy'd up.
Promising talent alright.
BahHahahaha
A collapsible sword? Simple answer.
I know why Brice. Lol
This Man Was An Extraordinary Human Being That Was Born With A Gift Of Extreme Fortune To Be Not Just A Magician, But The Stardom That Came With It With Alot Of Class and Dignity! He Was A Star Before There We're Genuine Star Heros! Love You Always Harry! 💖💖🌟🌟💖💖
I so appreciate the host of this series how you got in to their real life and helps us understand where they're coming from you added and measurably to this show thank you for sharing...
I disagree. He paints a picture based on his own assumptions and drawn conclusions. Artistic license is fine when you have accurate context for the liberties you take. He clearly doesn't. At least not in this video.
@@you_can_call_me_T I don't agree
Fascinating.
What a talented human being
Excellent! Thanks for posting!
I'd like to add #Houdini is also credited for giving Joseph Frank Keaton the nickname 'Buster,' after seeing him fall down the stairs in a hotel as a small boy. #TheMoreYouKnow #BusterKeaton
My mum called me buster as a nickname growing up. No idea why or what it means....
@@nvoid2597 it means you fell down alot
@@nvoid2597 but here in the USA it's also a general sarcastic term of endearment. Like you better watch it, Buster
This guy fascinates me
I love Alan doing or attempting to do some of the acts. Hats off to him for that.
I wonder how those two youths who punched him in the stomach felt when Houdini died.🤨
I was wondering the same thing I recently had a ruptured appendix and I could tell you right now just unbelievable pain that buckles you over
They should've been arrested for manslaughter
Two?
I enjoyed the episode. Nicely explained.
Great video!
Good video. Thank you!
I am watching from Papua New Guinea and I admired the feat of Harry Houdini. I have a book titled Magic and Spirit depicting Houdini's magic tricks which he claimed was physical and not spiritual.
I gave it a thumbs up for Allen’s cold bath! Serious business!
Great video..interesting always.
Each master has its masters, Harry was one of them 🙏
Wonderful - thank you! and thanks to David Copperfield for sharing your collection
God bless you Betty
Seance? Houdini spent a lot of time disproving quackery like this.
Someone please let Mr Davies know to get that lump on his back checked . and great episode!
This documentary was released in 2014
@@TomEarley ty . I realised my goof but I do hope he got it checked !
My great uncle is Walter B. Gibson They met on the boardwalk of Atlantic City, NJ in the early 10's (If I remember correctly). Walter was an aspiring magician and Harry became sort of a mentor. Walter was left with the role of Leader in the seance of Harry Houdini by Bessy Houdini. Walter held the mantle until retiring and handing it off too arguably the greatest female magician ever. Family friend of Bessy and Harry. He was in attendance for the Lincoln assassination trial as a court reporter. Created 'The Shadow' the first comic book super hero.
Fun fact houdini visited Australia in 1910 and made first powered Aircraft flight in exotic Diggers Rest Victoria stay safe cheers
We know that.
@@garyfrancis6193 I didn't!
Thank you! 😊👍
All those people taking pictures in Times Square must have been very disappointed when they figured out this guy was just demonstrating how Houdini looked in a straight jacked and not actually performing an escape 😂
With all these free loaders wanting to get a show for free, how did Harry Houdini make his money?
There performances for advertising. Lol. Things were different back then. Apart from newspapers you had to draw a crowd to make a name or when you your America selling out town hall after hall people pay more if your famous.
Very interesting well done 👍
i saw a while back some guy went into a pawn shop with the straitjacket that belonged to Houdini the one he used to escape from underwater.
Best I can do is $12. I'm taking the risk of displaying it until, maybe, someone buys it for $250k. Maybe $200k.
@@k.russell1713 🤣
@@k.russell1713 o
I am intrigued by Harry.
Lovely documentary
Wish I could escape all the adverts
Lol
but you are chained so AdBlock isn't an option I see
The guy was so genius
amazing facinating love it
Gostei desta biografia...um homem que no fim da sua vida pode dizer com orgulho ...Eu lutei, Eu Vivi, Eu Busquei, Eu Venci" ...Houdini buscou sonhos e ideias a palavra nunca existiu ...mas acabou afogado numa ilusão! A vida de um mágico muito há frente do seu tempo...viver e desafiar a vida na linha ténue com a morte!! Talvez desafios se todos os limites ...para ter as luzes da ribalta, perfeição e ocultar fraquezas e desilusão!!
shorter version please ?
R.I.P.🙏❤
I wonder how the boy that punched him to death felt
With all the places used for this video, it is surprising that at no time was there a sequence at Houdini’s grave. Especially so since it is in. Glendale Queens, at Machpelah cemetery and visible from the public street. The seance used to be held there on Halloween. And urban legend has it that it still does. While it is not true, it still. Brings forth many that want to witness it. I can attest to this as I served on the NYPD Auxiliary and served a tour on Halloween at his grave. During that evening, the patrol. I was with we’re not allowed a key to the main gate, so I put the lock in to make it appear closed and locked. During the evening, we would tour around the entire cemetery grounds also insuring that nothing untoward would happen to any of the mausoleums with stained glass Tiffany windows would be disturbed either. When returning back to the chapel building around midnight we heard a group of people at the gate. We secured ourselves behind a maintenance building and waited. We. Then heard the distinct sound of the gate opening, they had discovered the unlocked lock. The proceeded to enter the cemetery, came through the carriage way of the chapel and just as one started to step on the grass of The Weiss family plot,II a commanding voice called out” Stop Right There!” This. Caused the group to begin acting as though they were the “Scooby Doo “ cartoon characters. While most were able to be restrained quickly, one decided o try to run. I ran after and caught him before he could reach the gate. I then had to. Call through. The police command central for backup assistance from the regular Police force members. In calling this in, at first the dispatcher was understandably surprised as they were not informed of the detail, and asked me to repeat the request. And the location. While I did not have the street address, I gave the exact name of the cemetery, and the exact location of the entrance. Not only did the Auxiliary patrol lieutenant ( who had the gate key) show up but two patrol. Ars and the local civilian observation patrol. Naturally, I charged all of them with trespass and while I could not directly ticket them on the crime, my brothers in the force including the watch Sargent did. I can only think that how this happened was inspired by Harry and in his way made sure that his family was taken care of. It also gave me the best Halloween story ever. Thanks Harry.
Normally I don't read lengthy comments, but yours was very interesting.
@@margaretmurphy9498 I hope you found it as amusing as I intended. Considering Harry’s advocacy in exposing fake mediums, which I am certain that he found very satisfying, this incident would have bent to his liking.
Obsessed with Harry Houdini
@Broc felix awwwwwwww snap!!!
@Jamie dont forget he was a leading expert and whistleblower on parlor tricks that false fortune tellers used to trick others out of $. He would regularly expose these crooks to the public. He was a hero.
@@daBEAGLE1017 Thanks for bringing that important information.
Amazing showman was his greatest difference. Plus he would smash his equipment before anyone could find the secret. After all his opposition are tricksters and illusionists. Houdini was far ahead of his time. Good luck in your career.
Makes light to the reality that behind the camera nothing is impossible .the value of shock and awe are gone .moon shots best example of our new semi realty
AMAZUNG
Lmao nice spelling
24:30 Alan Davies is that guy that just asks his smartest friend everything when he doesn’t know the answer
the ice bath made me lmfao
I mistook it for an episode of Jonathan Creek.
Love Harry Houdini !
its amazing how general population connects instantly name Houdini with magic, while magicians dont at all, and last tghingts that comes to their minds in connection with Harry Houdini is magic. And thats ANY form of magic, not big in mentalism, in stage illusions, and especially close up, magic, he had nothing to do almost with cards, coins, ropes etc. Perhaps you can call some of his routines stage illusions but they are not that. All he did was escapology, in all kind of formats.
Good grief it's absolutely crammed with ads!!!
A lot of YT shows are the same. Here's how to get rid of them. Fast forward to the end by moving the slider. Then restart the video. The ads will disappear.
@@jaz1551 it worked Thnx :)
His father was a rabbi? Didn't know that.
#THETRUTHSTANDSALONE🌹🌹🌹 Thanks4sharing ❤️❤️❤️
The guy who punched Houdini should have served time in prison , such an A** !
Biography that gave me an insight of the greatest magician.
Timeline is taking over my life. Please send help
Sorry, there is no help.. I’m hooked too...LOL
you need to run.. faster than time...
Lol I know it wasn't intentional but I enjoyed the 4000 people plus 100 journalists remark.
Harry Houdini the greatest illusionist of ALL time
i remember same 1970's doing card trick's
I've always admired the man. Named my jeep after him
The movie was great whit Tony Curtis I love it
Was that Bath part really necessary..?
In our current Tik Tok video era, he'd be the archetypal overnight success.
Can someone tell me what the heck Tik Tok is supposed to be and do? What I have seen is just people under 25? doing silly things. I would guess it was created for people under 25 to 30, maybe even younger! If that's the intent, I shouldn't watch as I am a grandma! If someone wants to educate me, feel free. I am a retired nurse and Civil War historian. That's how I spend my time! Norma Jean ☆☆☆☆
@@normajeanmorrissey2903 it's for everyone! Most of the users are quite young and doing dances and stuff, but it really depends on what you tell if you like to watch, pretty much like KZhead except for short videos :)
great
@20:00 how is the bath bot over flowing! Lol
I'm so jealous of that guy with houdinis original artifacts. I would do almost anything to just be in there for a day 😩
The ads keep getting interrupted by Houdini Documentary so annoying as l really love those forthright American bland US adverts
he was quite the showman.
With fine Docs like this one, 1 hr isn't enough. Nice coverage. I thought it was a funny moment, just before they were going to prepare him for an escape or the straight jacket, he was having trouble getting his shirt unbuttoned. No one's perfect!
Love the video you know I had a friend who passed away a couple of decades ago but when we were adolescence and when I went to his promise his grandfather or great grandfather was there and he was a man who was known as The mighty Adam I think he might have been in his 90s with talking about 1972 and he took a man put him on a chair lifted the man into the air with one hand using one leg of the chair sky was in his 90s he used to be able to bite nails in half break chains with his chest yes the mighty Adam but what I wanted to say was I would have thought I would have liked to have seen David Blaine as a person who they would have introduced as the modern day Houdini more so than the David Copperfield although I think David Copperfield was more you know like they said with the huge sign with his name on it you know more into that kind of a presence where David Blaine I think his magic was better but not as gigantic as far as props go sincerely us, above the blind bedroom guitarist
Harry Houdini did the first on screen Crowd Surfin
7:10 what a Goddess!
Everyone I know has a human sized milk can and a straight jacket, totally everyday things... Still the man certainly new how to make a show.
knew
@@jeanieherron7706 yhea my dyslexia jumping out again. I can be blind to the occasional missing letter...
Great magician
It's the podcast guy!
Harry Houdini died at my age.. so young.
What is it about that salesman at the start of these videos that is so annoying?
Dan Snow is more known in the UK.
@@destubae3271 yyyyy_
TheJapanChannelDom In England he is known as would be "working Class Bloke" but is an upper class spoilt yuppie ,we have loads of them who come from Public Schools trying to be so Cool but the falseness sticks out a mile . I never did get to shake Jonny Rotten`s hand ,he hated these fakes
While watching the Houdini video, it was interrupted twice by an ad saying. "If you want bigger balls use this product"! I thought this was truly gross! Please do not show such gross material. It was offensive!!!!
they can’t control what type of advertisements are shown.
Um, I use an ad blocker so, unfortunately, I didn't get to see the ad for the bigger balls product. Do you remember the manufacturer's name? I'm asking for a friend - a friend with very tiny balls. 🍒
WHY IS NOBODY TALKING ABOUT HOUDINIS ABSOLUTE CAKES IN THE PHOTO
Harry Houdini looked like Marco Pierre White.
Thumbnail Houdini lookin identical to Cole Hauser from Higher Learning.
I very much enjoy Copperfield's work, but every time I see the "museum", I get angry that this stuff isn't displayed publicly. That seriously needs to change at some point.
How does David Copperfield have such dark hair. I think it’s “magic”
Or Grecian Formula.
How do y’all find this information?
Magic Johnson got lucky. His name could have been Houdini Weenie
I jumped off 🌙 once landed on my feet. No film of it but I did