This bonus episode delves deeper into the life and performances of the legendary magician Harry Houdini, with a focus on one of his most remarkable feats, at the London Hippodrome, where he was challenges to unpick the world's most unpickable lock.

We explore the buildup to this defining moment, including the public's anticipation and the media's portrayal of Houdini as he faced this daunting challenge.

...

Special guest for this episode:

• John Cox, a lifelong Houdini fan and founder of Wild About Harry, who has written extensively about him, and is currently working on a definitive chronology of Houdini's life and career.

...

Highlights from this episode:

...

Additional Resources:

WILD ABOUT HARRY

Escaping Obscurity - The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini, 1897-1899 by John Cox

Houdini!!!: The Career of Ehrich Weiss by Ken Silverman

...

And if you like this episode, you might also love:

What Makes Country Music so American?

Are the Oscars Still Relevant?

Why Does Everyone Love Disney?

Could Friends BE Any Bigger?

How Accurate is Forrest Gump?

...

Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com

Join the community: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.captivate.fm/community - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month

Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.captivate.fm/newsletter

Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com

Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?

Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk.

Mentioned in this episode:

This episode is sponsored by What's Your Map

What's Your Map is the British Podcast Award-winning show from map expert Professor Jerry Brotton. In each episode, he invites a special guest to share a map that means something to them. It's a fascinating show, and you can listen to the new season right now: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-your-map/id1766500219