Harry Houdini – Escape Artist and Marketing Genius

This is the story of the success of a Hungarian boy who went to America and became one of the most successful entertainers of all times, known as the Master of the Escape. He was, of course, Harry Houdini – acrobat, contortionist, magician, escape artist, entrepreneur, film tycoon, debunker of occultists, maybe even a secret agent …???

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Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Arnaldo Teodorani
Producer - Jennifer Da Silva
Executive Producer - Shell Harris

Other Biographics Videos:

King Herod: Mad Tyrant or Misunderstood Hero?

Bernie Madoff: The Greatest Con in History

Source/Further reading:

[localloser]

One of the rare icons in history who was a genuinely good person

[calebwinfield]

This is legit my favorite channel on YouTube.

[troyschultz]

"Her applesauce means nothing to me" is far and away the most old-timey expression ever

[Nycrolieben]

"Her applesauce means nothing to me." - Absolute MadChad Houdini

[timsvea]

As a kid and aspiring magician growing up in Wisconsin, Houdini was one of my boyhood heroes. We also thought at the time that he was actually born in Wisconsin but that turned out later to be untrue, although it never affected our love and admiration of the man. To this day the phrase "to pull a Houdini" is still used to express one getting out of a tight spot or making an escape. You did a great job in this video, Simon!

[ignitionfrn]

1:15 - Chapter 1 - Erik
2:50 - Chapter 2 - Ehrich
5:05 - Chapter 3 - Harry
6:30 - Chapter 4 - Bess
8:25 - Chapter 5 - The king of handcuffs
12:05 - Chapter 6 - Death defying acts
18:40 - Chapter 7 - Halloween, 1926

[LeftyPem]

His adoptive home, Appleton WI, is one town over from where I am! We have a wonderful museum of his tools and tricks.

[nicktanner]

Pressing like before watching because you know it’s fire🔥

[BradGryphonn]

I really enjoyed this one. I was a childhood Houdini fan (no, not when he was alive...) and over the years read or heard so many conflicting stories about his rise to fame. This has put it all together in a very viewable package. Thank you.

[missalpha_essence]

I love your narrative voice. I enjoy your videos, your voice just makes them better. I can listen to you during the day or when I'm off to sleep.

[ArtisticlyAlexis]

As a young Jew I grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin. As I dealt with death threats and bullying because of antisemitism, it was always comforting that Harry Houdini's father had once been Rabbi of Appleton.

[camiloiribarren]

The man who inspired many future magicians and escapologists to be legends like himself

[dotdotdot]

Can you do one on Van Gogh sorry if you did this one already

[johnl]

You are absolutely, without a doubt, my favorite storyteller ever. Seriously, Simon... YOU ROCK !

[ADEpoch]

I think this might have been the most interesting one so far, though I've loved most of your other bio's too. I learn so much extra stuff about someone that I never knew before, and that most historians don't cover.

[josephrissler]

"You may have heard the theory that Houdini was actually the victim of a spiritualist conspiracy, but there's absolutely no evidence of that."

Spiritualists are pretty good at not creating evidence.

[cherylcampbell]

Great video! I was fascinated even as a teenager. His biography (I think it was "Houdini: A Magician Among the Spirits") was the first biography I even read. EDIT: I just looked it up. I got the title right, but it actually was his autobiography, published in 1924. Worth the read!

[Donald_Shaw]

Very well done and very informative. Great job to Simon and the entire research team.

[TheKoolbraider]

My brother worked with an aging magician who remembered seeing Houdini doing the hanging in the air stunt.

[kenxclout]

Do you think Houdini ever locked his keys in his car?