Hi again, Jeff. The Houdini mystery seems to be resolved at http://www.niagarafrontier.com/devil_frame.html ...
"Oscar Williams (aka Oscar Wilson) came to Niagara Falls in June of 1911. Williams called himself 'The Great Houdini'."
It was Oscar who got stuck on the tightrope. Still odd that the papers of the day all referred to "Houdin". Also, I note with embarrassment that Blondin's last Niagara stunt was in 1860! — September 7, 2008 11:13 a.m.
Unforgettable: American Icarus
Hi again, Jeff. The Houdini mystery seems to be resolved at http://www.niagarafrontier.com/devil_frame.html ... "Oscar Williams (aka Oscar Wilson) came to Niagara Falls in June of 1911. Williams called himself 'The Great Houdini'." It was Oscar who got stuck on the tightrope. Still odd that the papers of the day all referred to "Houdin". Also, I note with embarrassment that Blondin's last Niagara stunt was in 1860!— September 7, 2008 11:13 a.m.
Unforgettable: American Icarus
Jeff, sorry for picking up on your reply so late. Thanks very much for that information. I remain dubious that it was Houdini at the Falls, but that's what the paper says, although as you've noted, the name is given as Houdin, indicating possible confusion with Blondin, both famous stunt entertainers in their day, even if Houdini's prime came later. Neither of the Houdini biographies I have mentions this event, but I'm going to keep looking. None of this detracts from your great piece on Beachey, of course. What an amazing guy!— August 30, 2008 3:38 a.m.
Unforgettable: American Icarus
Excellent story except for one thing: I would dearly love to be proved wrong on this and get the details, but I'm quite sure Houdini gave up tightrope walking when he was a kid. Houdini walking a tightrope at Niagara Falls is an oft-repeated myth, almost always a mix-up with the Great Blondin.— August 14, 2008 2:14 a.m.