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Houdini imitators

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Houdini imitators starting appearing as his handcuff escapes became successful.

Houdini inspired many, men and women. Some duplicated his escapes and others during the height of his fame were just trying to capitalize on his name. Houdini often ruthlessly defended his domain by challenging these imitators, advertising that his act was "patented" with threats to sue them, exposing them, or training someone of his own liking (including his brother Hardeen). [1]

The following were Houdini imitators and rival escape artists during Houdini's career:

  • Oudini
  • Hardini
  • Leo Houdeen
  • Kolar
  • Cunning the Jail Breaker
  • Maurice Raymond - Had one act known as "Mytempsicosis — fastest trunk escape in the world", performed with his wife, Lipzka. Raymond was sponsored into the S.A.M. by Houdini in 1921.
  • Minerva
  • Brindamour, an escape artist possibly doing handcuff escapes before Houdini who was billed as "The Original Jail Breaker and Handcuff King".
  • Paul Freeman, card manipulator and escape artist made a sensation with his Mail Bag escape around 1914.[2]
  • Empress,"The Female Houdini", performed in English theaters in the early 1900s.
  • Torrini
  • Miss Undina
  • Carl Mysto
  • Bros Zachs (consisted of George Zachs, the escape artist, assisted by his brother)
  • John Clempert
  • Charles K. Tripp
  • Martini-Szeny [3]
  • Russell B. Grose [4]
  • Bernardi, a Swedish escape artist started preforming after Houdini's death. His wife "Miss Hilden" (Hildegard Neureiter) also perform escapes.
  • Excello
  • Kilby
  • Pitkof
  • Howdini
  • Thohma Hoedini


References

  1. The secret life of Houdini: the making of America's first superhero By William Kalush, Larry Sloman (2006)
  2. Tops, September 1983, page 6
  3. http://www.rickyjay.com/newyorker.htm
  4. http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/01/25/story13.html