BESS HOUDINI MOVIE

Not long after Harry’s death, Bess discovered a cache of love letters written to her husband in Houdini’s safe. And Charmian London was not his only affair.

BESS HOUDINI MOVIE

Rebecca: In light of Bess’s condition, and that Harry Houdini became a major movie star, with rumors in the newspapers, I imagine she knew about the affair. Victoria: Do you think Bess every suspected Charmian and Harry of having an affair? She wrote in her diary:” Charming Houdini. Charmian was obviously more taken with Harry, than Bess. The two couples hit it off and spent several days together, including Thanksgiving. Houdini and Jack London were the two most famous men of their time, and had photos taken at the theater of their meeting. Jack London had brought his young daughter to see the show the day before, and brought Charmian to see the Great Houdini. Houdini was performing his Chinese Water Torture Chamber Escape. Rebecca: Bess met Charmian at the Orpheum Theater in Oakland, California, November 15, 1915. Victoria: How did Bess’s friendship with Charmian London (wife of famous author, Jack London) begin?

Bess Houdini suffered from Primary Amenorrhea, a problem with the endocrine system. That’s why the Houdinis remained childless. But part of this underdeveloped nature was that Aunt Bess never had her period, never menstruated. This actually delighted Marie as a child because she could wear Aunt Bessie’s shoes, which were size one! Marie said bess was very frail and often sick, and she never weighed more than 98 pounds. Rebecca: What Houdini historian, John Cox discovered in an interview with the Houdini’s niece, Marie Blood, was tragic! Per John Cox: Marie continually emphasized just how small and “underdeveloped” Bess was. Victoria: It has long been speculated why Bess and Harry Houdini didn’t have children. So I imagine they had a lot of fun, especially on their many travels, looking to add to their collections. Harry amassed a huge rare book collection. Both she and Harry were collectors–together, they collected pets. Victoria: I actually didn’t come across much detail, other than the fact that she collected them.

How many years did she collect? Which were favorites? Rebecca: I’m intrigued with Bess Houdini’s doll collection. She was one of the only people who knew the secrets behind the illusions, and I am sure she must have helped him create some of his acts. But even when he began performing without her, she was always intricately involved in his life and his act. I can’t imagine that Harry decided to perform on his own without discussing it first with Bess they must have realized together that he had a greater chance of success if he billed himself alone. Victoria: I think there must have been some of both feelings. Rebecca: Do you think Bess was disappointed or proud when Harry left behind their magic act and became Houdini, the great escape artist? I imagine she was a very brave and independent woman. Then, she married Harry Houdini after only knowing him for a few days–and in addition to that, she was a Catholic woman marrying a Jewish man, which was very rare in those days. She left home at 18 to join a singing trio in Coney Island, which must have taken some courage, and also the ability to be confident in front of strangers. Victoria: It’s ironic that Bess Houdini kind of melted into the background of Houdini’s legacy, because from what I learned she was quite a dynamic personality. Rebecca: In your research about Bess Houdini, what did you did you discover about her personality traits? Houdini, and Rebecca Rosenberg, author of The Secret Life of Mrs. Conversation about Bess Houdini between Victoria Kelly, author of Mrs.

Bess houdini