Chinese Water Torture Cell: Difference between revisions
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The original Chinese Water Torture Cell was built in England in 1911. Houdini first performed the escape for an audience of one person as part of a one-act play he called "Houdini Upside Down." This was so he could copyright the new escape (having learned with his Milk Can escape that patents failed to stop imitators). The first public performance was at the Circus Busch in Berlin, Germany, on September 21, 1912. In letters Houdini referred to the effect as "the Upside Down" or "USD." Houdini continued to perform the escape until his death in 1926. Despite two Hollywood movies depicting Houdini dying in the Torture Cell, the escape had nothing to do with his demise.<ref>Houdini!!!: The Career of Ehrich Weiss by Kenneth Silverman, 1997, pages162-165</ref> |
The original Chinese Water Torture Cell was built in England in 1911. Houdini first performed the escape for an audience of one person as part of a one-act play he called "Houdini Upside Down." This was so he could copyright the new escape (having learned with his Milk Can escape that patents failed to stop imitators). The first public performance was at the Circus Busch in Berlin, Germany, on September 21, 1912. In letters Houdini referred to the effect as "the Upside Down" or "USD." Houdini continued to perform the escape until his death in 1926. Despite two Hollywood movies depicting Houdini dying in the Torture Cell, the escape had nothing to do with his demise.<ref>Houdini!!!: The Career of Ehrich Weiss by Kenneth Silverman, 1997, pages162-165</ref> |
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After Houdini's death, the cell was willed to his brother who performed as the escape artist [[Theodore Hardeen]]. Hardeen never performed the cell himself, and despite Houdini's instructions for it to be "burnt and destroyed" upon Hardeen's death, his brother gave the cell to Houdini collector [[Sidney H. Radner]] in the 1940s. The cell remained in the Radner basement until 1971 when it was put on display at The Houdini Magical Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Canada. In 1995, not long after a fresh restoration, the cell was destroyed in a fire. In 2004 the restored cell was sold |
After Houdini's death, the cell was willed to his brother who performed as the escape artist [[Theodore Hardeen]]. Hardeen never performed the cell himself, and despite Houdini's instructions for it to be "burnt and destroyed" upon Hardeen's death, his brother gave the cell to Houdini collector [[Sidney H. Radner]] in the 1940s. The cell remained in the Radner basement until 1971 when it was put on display at The Houdini Magical Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Canada. In 1995, not long after a fresh restoration, the cell was destroyed in a fire. In 2004 the restored cell was sold at auction to magician [[David Copperfield (illusionist)|David Copperfield]]. It now resides as part of his massive private magic collection in his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. |
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In 2003 an exact duplicate of the Water Torture Cell was discovered, leading to controversy over the authenticity of the restored cell.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://web.mac.com/zencato/iWeb/Houdini_Lives/NEWS/19A4B856-4024-450B-80F9-B8721F851DCB.html | title = The Mystery of the Two Torture Cells | accessmonthday = February 11 | accessyear = 2007}}</ref> |
In 2003 an exact duplicate of the Water Torture Cell was discovered, leading to controversy over the authenticity of the restored cell.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://web.mac.com/zencato/iWeb/Houdini_Lives/NEWS/19A4B856-4024-450B-80F9-B8721F851DCB.html | title = The Mystery of the Two Torture Cells | accessmonthday = February 11 | accessyear = 2007}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 02:31, 7 June 2007
The Chinese Water Torture Cell is a predicament escape made famous by American magician Harry Houdini. The illusion consists of three parts: first, Houdini's feet are locked in stocks; next, Houdini is suspended in mid-air from his ankles with a restraint brace; finally, Houdini is lowered into a glass tank overflowing with water and the restraint is locked to the top of the cell.
The trick was similar to, but more difficult than, the immersion escape featured in the 2006 movie The Prestige.
History
The original Chinese Water Torture Cell was built in England in 1911. Houdini first performed the escape for an audience of one person as part of a one-act play he called "Houdini Upside Down." This was so he could copyright the new escape (having learned with his Milk Can escape that patents failed to stop imitators). The first public performance was at the Circus Busch in Berlin, Germany, on September 21, 1912. In letters Houdini referred to the effect as "the Upside Down" or "USD." Houdini continued to perform the escape until his death in 1926. Despite two Hollywood movies depicting Houdini dying in the Torture Cell, the escape had nothing to do with his demise.[1]
After Houdini's death, the cell was willed to his brother who performed as the escape artist Theodore Hardeen. Hardeen never performed the cell himself, and despite Houdini's instructions for it to be "burnt and destroyed" upon Hardeen's death, his brother gave the cell to Houdini collector Sidney H. Radner in the 1940s. The cell remained in the Radner basement until 1971 when it was put on display at The Houdini Magical Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Canada. In 1995, not long after a fresh restoration, the cell was destroyed in a fire. In 2004 the restored cell was sold at auction to magician David Copperfield. It now resides as part of his massive private magic collection in his home in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In 2003 an exact duplicate of the Water Torture Cell was discovered, leading to controversy over the authenticity of the restored cell.[2]
Escape artist Kristen Johnson performs a water cell escape that was inspired by Houdini's trick. Johnson's stunt is significantly different in that she remains in full view of the audience throughout the escape.
References
External links
- Houdini Lives! - A pictorial history of the Water Torture Cell.