Friends said he could hold his breath underwater for ten minutes or more. I know how hard he trained, both physically and mentally-he speaks of it often, and others often cite his almost super-human regimen. Note from Harry Houdini to Bess Houdini, undated. I know how strong he was physically-just trying to lift one of his ball and chain props was difficult. “SNAP SHOT PHOTOGRAPH OF ME LOOKING FOR YOU!!” The letters and notes between he and Bess were particularly dear, and Houdini’s sense of humor often shines through. Well, through the many boxes of his personal correspondence that live in the Ransom Center, I know how he interacted with his wife Bess, his mother, his siblings, his friends, acquaintances, fellow magicians, rivals, and enemies. Letter from Harry Houdini to Bess Houdini, 15 December, 1907. But how well is that really? What do I really know? He wouldn’t have liked it.) I do feel like I’ve gotten to know him, and certainly I could argue that I know him as well as I can know anyone I’ve never met. In my many months of exploration of Harry’s life, (May I call him Harry now? Probably not. But how to turn Houdini’s papers into a picture of Houdini the man? My task, as artistic director of The Hidden Room theater, was to dive into the treasure trove of the Ransom Center’s Harry Houdini collection, and see what secrets lay waiting to be told on stage. The Harry Ransom Center is declaring October the month of Houdini, and the Center is marking the ninetieth anniversary of his death (October 31, 1926) with a display in his honor, a cooking class dedicated to some of his favorite Hungarian dishes, a screening of his film The Grim Game, and indeed a piece of theater illuminating at least one aspect of his fascinating life. Gelatin silver print, 20.3 x 25.4 cm.Or “activate the Houdini collection through performance.” Same thing, basically. Let us hear him speak, watch him make his magic, feel his presence among us, let Houdini live again!
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