One hundred years ago, marked the passing of a legend in the world of magic community. Harry Houdini a good friend of Rudolph Valentino died a few months later. Much has been written about the friendship between these two remarkable men who are equally respected in their mutual fields. Twentieth Century friendship was viewed far differently globally in the Twenty-first Century. For example, friendship was deemed most important in one’s life and it was treasured and nurtured. Back in the day, friends for life had special meaning and it was never taken for granted. Often viewed as more vital than one’s family. Friends you could always count on unlike today. Where keyboard warriors have nothing better to do than trash-talk behind one’s back. In modern times, how many friends did you know from childhood that are still a part of your personal life. Probably few or none would be my answer. In the Twentieth Century many persons faced hardships, yet friends and neighbours would band together and help in war or peace. In modern times, neighbours do not talk, nor can you count on them for help or friends its every person for themselves.
On 23 August 2011, 84th annual Rudolph Valentino Memorial Service, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, fellow magician and historian at the Academy of Magical Arts—also known as the World Famous Magic Castle, Lisa Cousins talked about their relationship and shared connections. In the 1920’s spiritualism, numerology, and automatic writings were all the rage amongst the Hollywood elite. Houdini made it his personal mission to debunk séance parlor manifestations proving them to be nothing but magic trickery. Valentino was among those actively experimenting with spiritual phenomena. He described his interest in ghosts and afterlife as being that of any well-read person. He wrote “I am not afraid of the dead or ghosts. I am not afraid of anything pertaining to the life beyond and its not because I don’t believe in it. It’s because I do”. When Valentino died his friend Harry Houdini attended the service in New York City.
A few months later, Houdini would die and both men immediately became popular figures with séance mediums and others interested in receiving a message from the other side. Although Houdini never encountered any spiritual phenomena that he could not prove to be a magic trick during his lifetime, he made a famous promise to his wife and for 10 years his widow conducted seances on Halloween to contact her husband. In 1936, on the rooftop of the Knickerbocker Hotel Mrs. Houdini declared she had not received a message and expected she never would. This of course, did not stop others from continuing in their efforts to attempt making their own contact. Harry Houdini and Rudolph Valentino are still remembered 100 years later.
You must be logged in to post a comment.