Houdini secrets revealed

Hi. I was just reading an article about a new exhibit at the Houdini Museum in Appleton, Wisconsin. It is called the "A.K.A. Houdini" exhibit and one of the highlights of it shows the Metamorphosis trunk trick complete with the secret side panel that allows the magician to switch places with the assistant.

The exhibit shows some of the secrets which are pretty much common knowledge even to the public. Some magicians, famous and not so famous have been calling or writing the museum in opposition to the display, saying that it violates the magicians code of ethics and that they should stop revealing the secrets to the public and close the display.

I do not know how many other tricks are in the display, but if I had the opportunity to get over there, I would just love to have the once in a lifetime chance to see how Houdini's tricks were constructed. My own opinion is that the display is a good thing as it would give others a rare chance to see something amazing and might spark interest in budding new magicians. Even though it is open to the public, I see it as a grand magic lecture. I think that only those that take the time to travel to Wisconsin to see the exhibit have a moderate to serious interest in magic or Houdini and that the 99% of the public who does not have such an interest in magic will not learn of the secrets. How many in the general population would find themselves at the Houdini Museum in Appleton, Wisconsin by chance? Practically none. Any visitors to the museum would have had a strong desire to be there.
I think that in the case of Metamorphosis most people who have an interest in magic have the basic idea of how the trick is done and that by seeing the panel in an open state does not violate too much of the ethics code. I also believe that the real secret is the timing, showmanship, and the practice that makes the trick work not just a secret panel.

Do you guys think that this is a good thing or is something that should be compared to the Masked Magician on TV from a few years ago? Does this break the code of ethics or is it of enough historical importance for all those interested to learn from?
There are lots of escape artists and magicians who frequent this web-site. I hope that each of you responds. m

Hi Mark, I don't know if there is or isn't a code of ethics on a magic displays. My own opinion is that it is just non necessary to reveal the secret. For those who wish to know about magic, there are many people willing to help and information is contained in many books.

To just show it out right because they can! and I assume to draw the public and therefore cash, is still not good enough.

regards

Ian

Hi. I was just reading an article about a new exhibit at the Houdini Museum in Appleton, Wisconsin. It is called the "A.K.A. Houdini" exhibit and one of the highlights of it shows the Metamorphosis trunk trick complete with the secret side panel that allows the magician to switch places with the assistant.

The exhibit shows some of the secrets which are pretty much common knowledge even to the public. Some magicians, famous and not so famous have been calling or writing the museum in opposition to the display, saying that it violates the magicians code of ethics and that they should stop revealing the secrets to the public and close the display.

I do not know how many other tricks are in the display, but if I had the opportunity to get over there, I would just love to have the once in a lifetime chance to see how Houdini's tricks were constructed. My own opinion is that the display is a good thing as it would give others a rare chance to see something amazing and might spark interest in budding new magicians. Even though it is open to the public, I see it as a grand magic lecture. I think that only those that take the time to travel to Wisconsin to see the exhibit have a moderate to serious interest in magic or Houdini and that the 99% of the public who does not have such an interest in magic will not learn of the secrets. How many in the general population would find themselves at the Houdini Museum in Appleton, Wisconsin by chance? Practically none. Any visitors to the museum would have had a strong desire to be there.
I think that in the case of Metamorphosis most people who have an interest in magic have the basic idea of how the trick is done and that by seeing the panel in an open state does not violate too much of the ethics code. I also believe that the real secret is the timing, showmanship, and the practice that makes the trick work not just a secret panel.

Do you guys think that this is a good thing or is something that should be compared to the Masked Magician on TV from a few years ago? Does this break the code of ethics or is it of enough historical importance for all those interested to learn from?
There are lots of escape artists and magicians who frequent this web-site. I hope that each of you responds. m

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I had the oppertunity to get in there Tues for a special supporter sneek preview and thought it was prett neat, there are numerous interactive displays.

There are exposure and non exposure related activities.

Among the exposures are the metamorphsis in which a stage is set up, two people go on stage and close a curtin, a video walks you through the escapes, the curtin opens and video prompts walk you through performing it in front of an audience of museum goers who are sitting on bleachers.

There is a padlocked "jail cell" door, in which you need to find a hidden key to open. There is a velcro strait jacket and a placquard explaining how the escape is done. In the seance room they show you how to do a seance "moving" table.

In escapology we finish off with a cut away milk can which does not show how the escape was done but an audio explains how "people think it was done" and a hands on display by Mark Lumblad (SP) showing how a Darby split key works and a cut away padlock shows how a key pick works.

Other things include a sideshow room with fake strong mans barbell and some acrobatic feats.

There is a lot more, if anyone is interested in a written walk through I can type a full one up.

Shawn

Hi. I was just reading an article about a new exhibit at the Houdini Museum in Appleton, Wisconsin. It is called the "A.K.A. Houdini" exhibit and one of the highlights of it shows the Metamorphosis trunk trick complete with the secret side panel that allows the magician to switch places with the assistant.

The exhibit shows some of the secrets which are pretty much common knowledge even to the public. Some magicians, famous and not so famous have been calling or writing the museum in opposition to the display, saying that it violates the magicians code of ethics and that they should stop revealing the secrets to the public and close the display.

I do not know how many other tricks are in the display, but if I had the opportunity to get over there, I would just love to have the once in a lifetime chance to see how Houdini's tricks were constructed. My own opinion is that the display is a good thing as it would give others a rare chance to see something amazing and might spark interest in budding new magicians. Even though it is open to the public, I see it as a grand magic lecture. I think that only those that take the time to travel to Wisconsin to see the exhibit have a moderate to serious interest in magic or Houdini and that the 99% of the public who does not have such an interest in magic will not learn of the secrets. How many in the general population would find themselves at the Houdini Museum in Appleton, Wisconsin by chance? Practically none. Any visitors to the museum would have had a strong desire to be there.
I think that in the case of Metamorphosis most people who have an interest in magic have the basic idea of how the trick is done and that by seeing the panel in an open state does not violate too much of the ethics code. I also believe that the real secret is the timing, showmanship, and the practice that makes the trick work not just a secret panel.

Do you guys think that this is a good thing or is something that should be compared to the Masked Magician on TV from a few years ago? Does this break the code of ethics or is it of enough historical importance for all those interested to learn from?
There are lots of escape artists and magicians who frequent this web-site. I hope that each of you responds. m

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Hello All

We are in the Age of Information OVERLOAD!!, where everytghing is handed out on the " Silver platter" , I personaly think it Important to have & Closely guarded secrets, Tis the age of the Almighty Dollar Where women shamlesly sell them self themselfs on such "Pablum for the masses" , as "Who wants to be a Zilloonare. ...Is it out of Love ? Well I think that ANY one with half a Brain knows the Answere to this ? One well known TV host described it as a "Bunch of Whores graveling over the 'gold Cash Cow", Thru out history VERY little has Changed...Very Little.

As A Professional Performer, Collector, & Historian on the Allied Arts, The Houdini Museum should be ashamed of its actions!!!, Magic/Escapes has had enough Expousure to last 50 Life times., Again the Age of Information Overload/Lets get em in the door mentality.
Lets look at this even further...

While Houdini did Expose Early in his career, out of necessity, A new wife, hunger etc. Well your possibly Thinking (Which is a rariety these days) ...What about his Expousures of Fraud Mediums??....It Goes with out saying that Harry was a "Mama's Boy" When she departed, Well how can you express a Mothers Death??? Harry considered his Attact /Expousure of these SOB a TRUE benefit to society, but another motive still exist as it kept the name " Houdini" out there, kinda Like Pam Anderson & PETA, only without the Implants....Hmm.

When we can pay such "Brainless Actors" !!! as Jennifer Aniston of "Friends" a Million dollars an eposode mean while Education in this country suffers & The Countrys Homeless Veterans are having there next meal At ...Well out of a Trash Can!!!! it Is indeed time to Question Our prioritys.

Is expousure good? , Well the Basis of my Art is Secrecy, but the other side of the Coin is there mission to keep the Houdini Museum open at what point is the public Simply NOT made prevy to such Inside Information. I am sorry to report that We have gone from the Age of "Da Vinchi" to the age of "Da-Capario" in less than 300 year's.

I personally thought I saw the beginning of the End When the Genius's @ FOX TV gave the 'Masked Moron" a Number of NOT so specials, Specials, But my friends Culture as we know it has taken Even a Further step backward , If that is indeed posible.. .....YES friends you guessed it .The newest Slap in the face , You stupid people will watch the worst you Crap & did I forget to mention your an Idiot if you watch this...... "Who Wants to Marry a MIDGET Zillionare"

Gee I am so happy to see such "Love" fluorishing in Todays Society HHU (Heaven Help Us)



Michael Lee