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Pawn Stars straitjacket

15 visible archived posts · 15 preserved total · topic ID 4045

John Cox 10 May 2011

The "Houdini straitjacket" authenticated by magician Murray Sawchuck on last night's episode of Pawn Stars has hit eBay with an asking price of $149,000. What do we think? The real deal?

http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2011/05 ... -ebay.html

Joshua 10 May 2011

Well, I have to give Murray a little credit this go around. He seemed to be on the mark and provided photographic proof to back it up. It seems legit and and awesome oppurtunity for someone with deep pockets. I heard that John Bushey is thinking about it.

Joseph Fox 10 May 2011

OK, I gave Murray the benefit-of-doubt about his previous "DARCI handcuffs" goof on a previous episode of Pawn Stars...

...but this latest episode just PROVES to me/us how LITTLE Murray knows about Houdini, nor cares about.

First, Murray is NOT any sort of recognized "Magic Historian"...he's a stage illusionist, period.

As I stated in the original thread...Murray only cares about one person...Murray! He doesnt give a damn about Houdini.

Murray is a self-promoter (and obviously, good at it). He mangaged to land himself a regular gig on a popular national TV program...yes, he's a smart guy.

But about Houdini---he ONLY knows what has been written or told to him....and YET HE STILL GETS IT WRONG.
________________________________________

Errors in last night's program:

* Houdini's brother: "Theo HOUDINI" (!!!!!!)

(although Murray didn't utter this name...both the "Straitjacket's owner" (owner-ha) and Rick from the store did. If Murray was the "Magic Consultant" for this segment...then HE would be responsible for the information & factoids during this segment. Apparently, Murray saw nothing erroneous about the brother of Houdini being named "Theo Houdini".

* Factoid text on screen: Stated that the jacket escape was revealed in Houdini's 1910 book: "Handcuff Escapes"....it was "Handcuff SECRETS", you dumb ass!

...Again, Murray our "Magic Consultant" failed to correct this error for the Producers (why?--cause he probably didn't know any better).

The ONLY good thing about this segment was seeing the jacket up-close (on loan from Geno Munari in Vegas?)

---Joe Fox

Damon Shields 10 May 2011

I know much of each Pawn Star segment is edited but wouldnt one of the first considerations been the size of the jacket? Was it the right size for Houdini?

The original jacket did not appear to have a crotch strap which is similar to some photos I have seen of Houdini wearing one. There was no mention that the jacket for sale has had the support cross strap moved and a crotch strap added.

Value-for an authentic piece that has been altered and in tired condition maybe the pawn shop offer was fair!

Damon

John Bushey 10 May 2011

Hey, I am interested in this item, but only if they drop a few zero's off the price.
I have not seen the episode yet, but Joe Fox certainly has the title of Houdini's book
correct, and Houdini's brother had many names; Hardeen, Dash, Theo, but certainly not
HOUDINI. Although, he did sign many pieces, "Hardeen brother of Houdini", and even signed one
photo of Houdini, "Houdini brother of Hardeen". I look forward to seeing this episode. The item I'm sure came from the Vegas auction, or possibly the Butterfield's auction. Both had strait jackets which were sold as Houdini's. Joe - any word on which sale it came from?
Best, John Bushey

Kevin Connolly 10 May 2011

I was contacted about the jacket around Christmas and gave my opinion on it. I won't devulge what I said, but I answered the questions the guy John visited last month.

Was there any mention of repairs with red cloth supposedly by the owner's grandmother?

Since the seller said he would take $30K for it on the show, you know have place to negotiate.

I'm surprised they didn't run across town and see if DC wanted it.

lauher 10 May 2011

The episode is on again on Friday night. I have set my machine to record it. The jacket does seem to match the pictures well. Might even be the same one, of course if you are making a copy it is good to have a good set of photos as a guide.

I would like the jacket. It would look nice in my close next to the rest of the collection, but I also have trouble with all those zeros behind the $149.

Joe

houdinisghost 13 May 2011

But who was the grandfather?
The s-j on pawn stars (I've only seen photos) does look very much like the photo. The photo, I believe, is from 1923. I used to know. . .
The s-j at the Skirball looks very much like the one Hardeen is wearing in the photo in the link.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/ ... 61859.html

Holey Moley! the photo appeared in the preview!

Unresolved image reference ↗

Ron Spitz 13 May 2011

When you watch the repeat of the show Friday night, notice near the end, Murray is walking out of the shop and is carrying the jacket out with him. The shot goes back to Rick and the "owner" and the jacket is still on the counter. Real magic or poor editing?

Ron

Dorson 13 May 2011

#10

I distinctly remember seeing Murray walk in with a the photo's and another jacket that looked in much better condition than what the guy brought in. I think there was another jacket of the same era in better condition they used for comparassion.

Jack.Tanis 28 May 2011

#11

Dear Mark,

I just finished viewing the Pawn Stars episode with the straightjacket, "The Great Escape". (It is now in Comcast's On Demand section for the History Channel.) I recall in a previous thread your recounting how the three items you evaluated, although shown on different episodes, were recorded in one session.

What is the likelihood this also holds for Murray SawChuck's evaluations of the maybe-Houdini straightjacket and the maybe-Houdini handcuffs and leg irons, i.e., that they also were recorded in one session and aired in two episodes?

Incidentally, to Ron, Dorson is correct. Murray indeed entered and left the shop with a different straightjacket. To whatever purpose it was put ended up on the cutting room floor instead of the final programme.

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm

MICHAEL LEE 29 May 2011

#12

Congrats to Mr.Joe Fox for telling it the way it is .. re. Murray.

"But about Houdini---he ONLY knows what has been written or told to him....and YET HE STILL GETS IT WRONG. "

Yes Murray still has a Great deal of research to do ! ...Very strange that Munari did not appear ?

ML

Mark Lyons 29 May 2011

#13

Hi Jack,

It is possible that the improvised, error ridden, fictionalized, and otherwise distasteful episodes were created all in the same day.

It is not uncommon for 2 or more TV shows to be taped in a single day. For instance, the David Letterman show tapes 2 shows on Mondays, and if memory serves me well, one of Monday shows is aired on the following Friday. They must use some caution not to discuss anything relevant to Monday's news as it will already be 5 days old by the time it airs.

Most game shows will also tape at least 2 shows a day. Contestants are asked to bring several changes of clothes to make it appear as though they are returning to the studio on different days. Taping 2 or more shows in a day is economically advantageous as there are numerous behind-the-scenes people that need to get paid and this maximises their efficiency.

As this Murray resides in Vegas, it is possible that his heretical and fabricated episodes are actually taped on different days as he is able to return to the Pawn Shop much easier than a REAL expert who may need to travel from another city.

Another belief which supports the idea that he taped at least 2 shows in one day, lies with the fact that he was not afforded ample time to study his material and disseminate it accurately. An extra day or two would have allowed him to relay some genuine information. It is obvious that he read his material just minutes before the cameras started rolling which, unfortunately, resulted in the 2 counter-factual and defective episodes we witnessed.

If studied in detail, one could compare all the objects hanging on the walls or in the display cabinets against both episodes and see if there are any changes. If an item was sold after the first episode, the second episodes would show that item missing which would give indication that some time elapsed between the two.

If you notice in my Ball and Chain episode, as I was walking towards the door to exit, the lobby was devoid of anything in my path. A moment later, Chum Lee picked the ball and chain up and walked in the same direction as I did, but now he had to walk around a rack of Chum Lee T-shirts in the middle of the lobby. This indicates that when he dropped the restraint through the glass counter top, it was taped at a different time from when I was there.

mark
O--O

Tom Gross 30 May 2011

#14

I have revered The History Channel for many years. I could not begin to quantify the ways in which that channel has increased my knowledge on innumerable topics and entertained me while enriching my mind. Can it be, however, that The History Channel is running out of history? I suppose there are only so many shows that can be produced about Gettysburg, or the Roman Empire, or the Third Reich or the Middle Ages or other historical eras and events. But, in searching for new and novel subjects, how could that channel have reduced its standards to the level which we observe today?

I was blissfully ignorant of the existence of the show Pawn Stars before reading about it on this forum. I have never watched an episode on television and never intend to. I have, however, watched a brief video excerpt on that show's web site; about 90 seconds worth. This showed me everything I need to know.

Is this "history"? The antics of a retrograde clan whose income hinges on exploiting the misfortunes and the desperation of others?

If you people choose to degrade yourselves by watching this white-trash extravaganza, at least have the good grace not to then bitch about what you have viewed.

That's the sermon for today.

Jack.Tanis 30 May 2011

#15

Dear Tom,

From The Universe to Pawn Stars practically defines culture shock. I've watched five Pawn Stars episodes: the ones about restraints, because they were mentioned on the Forum. As to your message, I am in accord with you. Look at what happened to the A&E channel. Once so innovative and creative, it now is but another rerun-broadcaster. I never have watched an episode of American Idol and never will.

It's all about the money. Always. A Pawn Stars costs less than a penny on the dollar to what a The Universe costs, and, for better or for worse, probably has hundreds or even thousands of times more viewers. I remember Michael Moore asking some pointed questions to the producer of Cops, who gave straight-forward, factual answers, in the film Bowling for Columbine.

That said, the heart of what was the History Channel seems to have been transferred to a related channel named History International, which now has the quality programming, especially documentaries and specials.

PBS/NPR are poised on the brink of extinction from government funding cutbacks, whilst cheap and enormously popular reality -- without arguing whether it actually is real -- shows are making easy fortunes. They are accessible to the dumbed-down mentality permeating, to the point of controlling, today's society.

Again, it's all about the money. History, if not the History Channel, has valuable lessons to teach about that, if there remain any who want to learn.

Happy viewing.

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm