Did Houdini Have Ties to Scotland Yard, MI-5, Secret Service?
Before television or even “talkies”, there was live vaudevillian entertainment for the masses, and Houdini was the king of the stage. Not only were Houdini’s magic tricks and escape artist routines known worldwide, he went on to become a movie star and an aviation pioneer.
Houdini was indeed what we would call today a “superstar.” Kalush and Sloman have taken him to the even higher level of “superhero” by exposing yet another facet to Houdini’s legend, that of international spy.
The authors have done an admirable job stating their case, which is primarily their conviction that Harry Houdini was a spy for both the U.S. and Britain in the days leading up to World War I. Much of their “proof” lies in the relationship between Houdini and officials in England’s Scotland Yard and the MI-5 and the U.S. Secret Service.
The magician’s behind-the-scenes access to leaders in Germany and Russia, for whom he did private shows, presented a unique opportunity, particularly for perhaps the world’s greatest “sneak”. The combination makes for enticing possibilities, and though Kalush and Sloman never conclusively prove their beliefs, their case is a strong one.
Full review of this book at Suite 101
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Hmmmm – maybe Derrens got ties to mi5 etc – besides he did completely show chris ryan up with his super clever skills – Don’t worry derren – you’re secrets safe with us. lol.
So there is another reason for Derren’s loaded bank account then!
lol – yes – but its a shame someone so handsome would be putting his life at risk for our country – maybe he should stick to how we know him. lol.
This is an awesome book – so much better than Silverman’s. I took a while getting used to the narrative sections, but I rarely manage to finish biographies, and this one was a comparative breeze.
The conjecture that Houdini was a spy is a compelling one, and for obvious reasons there is no smoking gun, but they lay out the reasoning well, as they do for the idea that the debunker was rubbed out by a Spiritualist cabal. What’s worth pointing out is that the extensive notes for the book are available online.
I can see Derren sneaking into a Russian Ball and saying to diplomat, “The secret code is a three digit number. Think of that number but don’t tell me it! Now keep the image of the secret file in you mind….”
Think I have read four Houdini bio’s, all good, but don’t know what else can be told! The rumours about Houdini’s involvement in espionage.
I’m afraid we cannot talk about any of the work Derren is currently doing with the Ministry of defense or MI6 – sorry.
Holy guacamole. Is there anything else Houdini could have done to be more badass than he already was? Let’s see:
1. Escaped from boxes and barrels and so on in terrifying situations
2. Pissed people off at seances, maybe even so much that the poor guy got murdered
3. Got buried alive
4. WAS POSSIBLY A SPY.
He could probably return from the dead if he really wanted to, but he’s not doing it just to spite the spiritualists.
Ok maybe I rename the post to – Houdini: He one badass mofo.
Phillis, that’s the greatest idea ever. Houdini is so awesome that it makes my brain ache just trying to comprehend it. One day when there are no more spiritualists to spite, he IS going to come back from the dead, and he is going to punch Criss Angel right in the face. I will disapprove, because violence is wrong, but it will still be badass.
Hello
on page 303 of the Kalush Sloman book a young fan is mentioned, Randolph Douglas. He showed Houdini an upside down strait jacket escape in his small attic room in Sheffield, UK.
I have just published Randolph’s biography – Randini- The Man Who Helped Houdini (wwwyoubooks.co.uk). Randolph was an amazing man and drew lots of sketches of magical acts and famous magicians of the day. He also drew Houdinis Water Torture Cell when Houdini was on at the Sheffileld Empire and Houdini said it was a correct interpretation.
Randolph and Houdini became friends and correcponded regularly until Houdinis death in 1926.