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The Masonic Temple | Fort Worth, TexasOctober 31, 2012

Harry Houdini in Texas

In January 1916, Houdini began his Texas Tour on the stage of the 1500 seat Majestic Theater in Fort Worth, Texas. His last performance in Texas in 1923 would take place on the same stage.

On January 9, 1916, Houdini’s picture was spread across the top of the entertainment section of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper. The photograph of Houdini showed him shackled and bound in automo-bile tires and chains. This particular photograph was used in nearly every Texas newspaper where Houdini would perform in 1916. The newspaper covered the history of Houdini with great fanfare mentioning Houdini as the originator of the Handcuff King Act. One of Houdini’s featured escapes during the tour was his Chinese Water Torture Cell, being billed as the most mysterious illusion that he ever performed. As additional publicity, Houdini executed a straitjack-et escape during a busy lunch hour for all to come out to see, being bound in such by Police Chief Bailey and Detective Chief Blanton. In front of the Star-Telegram

Building he was then hoisted 50 feet into the air, in an upside down position, where he quickly made his harrowing escape in front of the thousands of cheer-ing citizens who came to witness Houdini’s spectacle.

Closing out his Texas Tour, Houdini returned to Fort Worth in November of 1923 garnishing a rave news-paper review describing his show at the Majestic The-ater “as one of the best that has ever played in Fort Worth” and added Houdini was in a class by himself.

Excerpted from: “Houdini’s Texas Tours - 1916 & 1923” by Ron Cartlidge

8:15 ✧ Welcome ✧ “Understanding Houdini in the 21st Century” — John Cox

✧ Tribute to Sid Radner - Perpetuating the memory of Houdini — William Radner

✧ Entertainment & Magical Wonders — Jamie Salinas — Shel Higgens

✧ Houdini’s Voice

9:00 ✧ Intermission

9:15 ✧ The Official Houdini Séance®

After the conclusion of the Séance, all guests are inviteddownstairs to the Grand Ballroom for a “Meet & Greet”.

During tonight’s Séance spectators are requested to refrain from talk-ing. Please keep all extraneous noise to a minimum until our attempt is

completed. No flash photography unless by permission.

Program Of Events

William Radner West Springfield, MA Seance Director

Thomas J. Boldt Appleton, WI Seance Director and Houdinite

Derek Kennedy Fort Worth, TX Magic Collector & Historian

Arthur Moses Fort Worth, TX Houdini Collector, Archivist, Biographer, & Historian

Members of the Inner Circle* Members of the Inner Circle

Scott Wells Houston, TX Medium

John Cox Los Angeles, CA Screenwriter & Houdini Historian

Robert Somerdin Deerfield Beach, FL Houdini Collector

Fred Pittella Queens, New York Houdini Historian & Handcuff Authority

Larry Weeks Brooklyn, New York Houdini Historian

* Subject to change

Acknowledgements

Derek Kennedy — Collector and historian of all things magic related. He specializes in classic magic apparatus manufactured by the renown Petrie-Lewis Manufacturing Company.

Arthur Moses — As an avid collector amassing a world class col-lection of Houdini memorabilia, he has lectured about Houdini in the United States, Canada, and England. He has authored two books about Houdini, dozens of articles, and is considered to be a respected Houdini historian. The authentic Houdini ar-tifacts on display are from Arthur’s collection as well as many of the photographs used in the program.

We hope everyone will enjoy themselves and learn something new about Harry Houdini and his extraordinary career. We would like to thank The Masonic Center for all of their assistance

in staging this historic event.

Scott Wells — A magician for all seasons in high demand by many Fortune 500 companies across the country. Scott has twice been recognized by his peers as Houston’s “Magician of the Year”. He was a past president of the Texas Association of Magicians; and is a lifetime member of the Society of American Magicians, the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Magic Circle (London , England). He is an author, artist, speak-er, lecturer, performer, publisher, podcaster, producer, collector, designer and friend to magicians the world over.

Ash Adams — An award winning magician with over twenty years of experience performing for audiences across the country. The giant Houdini “straitjacket escape poster” seen as the stage backdrop is from his extensive magic poster collection.

The Official Houdini Séance 2012 hosts

Séance Medium

Master Of Ceremonies

John Cox — John is a professional screenwriter and Houdini historian. His fascination with Houdini began at age 10 when he first saw the 1953 movie, HOUDINI, starring Tony Curtis. Over the years John’s passion for Houdini has become a voca-tion. He has penned articles about Houdini in magic magazines, has lectured at special events, and is a member of The Magic Castle in Hollywood. In 2010 John launched the blog, WILD ABOUT HARRY (www.wildabouthoudini.com), which has be-come a popular hub for Houdini fanatics all over the world. He is currently researching a book about Houdini and his movies. Jamie Salinas — Having been featured on many television spe-cials, Jamie is an award winning performer in the art of sleight of hand magic. His magic has been featured at the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood California. The Magic Castle is a pri-vate clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts, a very special organization devoted to the advancement of the ancient art of magic. Jamie has performed his magic for royalty and celebrities, as well as American and foreign presidents.

Shel Higgens — A nonstop “tour de force” combining elements of magic, comedy, and unique daredevil stunts to his acts.

William Radner — Presenting the legacy of his father Sid Rad-ner and the Official Houdini Séance®

Michael & Tracie Stein — Michael has performed at Six Flags theme parks in Chicago, Los Angeles, and our own Six Flags over Texas. In addition to performing at the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood, Michael has performed for many Fortune 500 companies. Tracie has been seen in national TV commercials, national touring productions and several independent films. To-gether, Michael & Tracie present a unique blend of stage magic and illusions that delights audiences of all ages.

Volunteer Mark Miertschin, Vickie Pacek,Ushers: Jeffrey Seifert, Tim Baldwin

Organist: Michael Reed

Other: Thank you to Tom Interval for his video segment used in Houdini’s Voice.

Thank you to Fred Pittella for bringing Houdini’s Spirit Trumpet.

Thank you to Magic Etc for helping with all of the necessary audio & visual requirements.

Thank you Dave Gruentzel for the program design

Presenters & Performers Event Co-Managers