The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

FINALLY!!!!!!!

14 visible archived posts · 14 preserved total · topic ID 955

Mark Lyons 29 Oct 2005

It has been exactly a year when the Radner/Great Houdini auction was held in Las Vegas. Those of us who attended this magical event were told that the entire event was being videotaped and would appear on the History Channel in February 05. Well, Feb. came and went without a trace of this program being aired. I was considering contacting the folks at the History Channel but now there is no need to do so. The show, Houdini: Unlocking the Mystery is going to air this Monday at 6:00 pm and again at 10:00 pm. If you miss this date, another airing will appear on Saturday the 5th at 3:00 pm. Lance Burton is hosting the show and the press release described the show as " an examination of a rare collection of Houdini's personal artifacts, many of which were used in some of his most famous tricks. Included: the famous water-torture cell: a milk can used in an escape trick; straitjackets; lock picks; handcuffs."

Just about every documentary that I have ever seen on Houdini has been about his life and times. This one should be unique as this appears to be more about his tools of his trade. This should appeal to those that frequent these pages. I wrote a little story about this auction a year ago and it can be found on the home page of this web-site. Hopefully, there will be some familiar faces when this documentary is aired. If this looks good, I plan on purchasing a professional DVD from the History Channel. I will be Tivoing it as well. If any of our international friends would like a copy, please contact me here or in private. (does a US DVD work all over the world?)

The TV show is 1 hour in length and I am happy that they did not try to do it in a half hour format.
The event lasted for about 4 hours, so an hour should do this some justice. I expect this to very well produced and can hardly wait til Monday!

mark
O--O

p.s. Did anyone see any media coverage from the Cannon Escapecon? I was hoping to see some of that too.
I too have an overwhelming urge to buy cuffs, especially from Michael Griffin.

Mark Lyons 29 Oct 2005

I checked with the History Channel web-site and found that the documentary is 2 hours long....not the 1 hour that I reported. Also, the time that the show starts is different from the above post. They stated that the show starts at 8:00 on Monday. They also provided this synopsis:
In one of magic history's rarest events, a private collector auctioned off the largest collection of personally-owned Harry Houdini artifacts and memorabilia, providing an unprecedented peek behind the curtain at the world's great showman and magician. In a 2-hour special, hosted by renowned magician Lance Burton, we explore the life and magic of the great escape artist through his most prized possessions: the Chinese Water Torture Cell, the Milkcan, his straitjackets and handcuffs, and lockpicks that were "key" to his handcuff escapes, revealed to the public for the first time. We also unlock secrets of the man--brash showman, fierce competitor, loyal son and husband. With expert commentary, including a great-nephew and the last surviving member of his magic troop.

I believe the last member of the troop was a lady named Dorothy Young. She was at the auction and even wrote a small booklet titled; Touring with Houdini, in 2003. It told of her times that she worked the Vaudeville circuit and other shows as an assistant for Houdini.

If you want to tape this show, please check your local listings as the times vary from one source to another. Actual DVDs from the History Channel will not be available until 12-12-05.

mark
O--O

Ian McColl 30 Oct 2005

Hi Mark, please put me down for a DVD and yes American format can be played on our machines. ( well here at least)

very cool, I might get to see you again and many other familar faces.

thanks for letting us know.

Ian

Jack Tanis 30 Oct 2005

Dear Mark,

Would 12-12-05 be December 12, 2005 or 12 December 2005?

Cheers,

Jack

Mark Lyons 30 Oct 2005

Jack,
The company said that they will sell one to you on either date....your choice.
They said that anyone can order one on any of those two dates at 12:00, but they would not release a copy of it to you, since you are such a smart alec until 12:12. Sorry.

mark
O--O

p.s. They also said that you can order it early, in the eighth month (which should be October) or in the tenth month (which should be December) September should be the seventh month but it is really the ninth. Now, daylight savings time just ended. What in the world is going on here? No wonder the show will air this month and not in February like it was supposed to!

Jack Tanis 30 Oct 2005

Dear Mark,

Will the History Channel accept an early order placed on 31 November?

Cheers,

Jack

Monica 30 Oct 2005

..."does a US DVD work all over the world?"

Not necessarily. In the UK and other parts of Europe, you will need a "meant for region" DVD (and DVD player). U.S. DVD's won't work on UK machines.

Mark Lyons 30 Oct 2005

Monica- Thanks for the info. I thought that might be the case. Sorry that it might be difficult for those in Europe to see this program. Of course, I invite any of you to come visit me and we can watch it at my house.

Jack, yes you may order it on the 31st. The timing of it would be critical though. They say no such date exists but I bet you can fool them if you place your order at 13 O'Clock. You may also shoot for Feb.30th as well. (or 30-02-05 if you prefer)

mark
O--O

Jack Tanis 30 Oct 2005

Dear Mark,

"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen." That is the first sentence of one of my favourite books. (Everyone knows the title.)

I will shoot for 30-02-05 if I can get my time machine back up and running.

Cheers,

Jack

Anonymous 30 Oct 2005

#10

Jack, my curiosity had the best of me.

I was going to guess H.G. Well's Time Machine but a google search found the answer to be Orwell's 1984.

I wonder if the Eloi can order the DVD even though they don't have a zip code.

mark
O--O

Jack Tanis 30 Oct 2005

#11

Dear Mark,

The History Channel does not discriminate against Earthlings of the future, yet I imagine the DVD will have a greater appeal to the Morlocks.

Incidentally, which you will appreciate as a resident of San Diego, CARVIN rules! At least, it has ruled my guitar-playing life for nearly twenty years.

Cheers,

Jack

P.S. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.

P.P.S. Happy Halloween -- "May the Force Bewitch you."

Mark Lyons 01 Nov 2005

#12

Hi all,
The show was very good! Patrick Cullitan gave a most informative monologue on the subject of Houdini's techniques. I had never heard of him before the Cannon show and I am impressed with his knowledge of the subject and his delivery of it, both in person and on the TV show. I have had the privilege to speak with Teller at the auction but it was very light and short. He was also very informative on the show and it is interesting to hear him speak. He is actually a very good orator. I am not aware of Teller speaking on TV before, but they curiously taped him in the dark so as not to see his face. Kenneth Silverman, Sid Radner and Henry Muller also had a very nice presence on this 2 hour special. Houdini's assistant, Doroth Young gave some insight to what her life was like working for the Master. I did not get to meet her at the auction, so I am glad that her story is now documented.

Cameo appearances were also aplenty. The Cannon family had lots of air time. Fred Pattella, Joe Fox, and John Bushey each got a nice head shot and yours truly got on a few times but nothing to write home about. I saw some other familiar faces in the crowd.
My only complaint is that they should have shown more of the artifacts.....and it goes without saying....more cuffs. There was so much cool stuff at the auction but they only showed a minute amount. They did show lots of nice photographs and excellent film clips.

I would be interested to know what others think about this show. I know of no flaws or incorrect statements that the show may have contained.

I learned quite a bit of information from this airing and I think that this will prove to be one of the best documentaries on Houdini.

mark
O--O

Joe Lauher 01 Nov 2005

#13

It was a very interesting program. I was not at the auction so for me it was a first look at what happened. Although the program was of course mainly another Houdini biography, the focus on objects at the auction gave it a new twist.

But the real fun was seeing my friends in the audience. Sheila Cannon was of course the best looking member of the audience accompanied by the equally eloquent Mark Cannon. Joe Fox put on a wonderful impersonation of being thoughtful. Fred Patella looked right at home at the table with all the big shots. Mark Lyons was a stealth performer at the edge of the screen. (Well done Mark.) But the star of the show was definitely John Bushey who was shown fighting (and loosing) a high stakes bidding war for a Houdini poster. Too bad they did not show his successful battle for that fabulous #61 German handcuff.

The single lot that I bought as a internet bidder, a lot of T-handled keys for Darby handcuffs, was shown in a nice close up when the were reviewing the lots. I liked that, since it gives my collection a bit more of a connection to the auction and Houdini.

Overall a very enjoyable show.

Joe

Joseph Fox 01 Nov 2005

#14

Great show....
BUT I just wish that they would stop calling Houdini's "GIBBET CAGE" an "Iron Maiden"...it's not! (It's listed in the auction catalog in the same incorrect way). Apparently DC doesn't know the correct name either, even though he bought it.