  Spacemonkey Member Username: Spacemonkey Post Number: 113 Registered: 03-2006 |
I was told that the Majestic Theater on Woodward is where Harry Houdini did his last show before dying. But the following Free Press article says it was the Garrick Theater. Was the Garrick the now named Majestic? "Legendary magician Harry Houdini has a Detroit Halloween connection. He died at age 52 on Halloween at Detroit's Grace Hospital. Houdini's final show was Oct. 24, 1926, at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit, where he collapsed during a performance. He was admitted to Grace Hospital and died at 1:26 p.m. Oct. 31. Although doctors said his death was caused by a ruptured appendix after he was punched several times in the stomach by a fan as a test of his strength, a new book, "The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero," suggests the attack was orchestrated. The book, to be released today, also claims Houdini was a spy for the U.S. Secret Service and Scotland Yard." http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=2006610310360 | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 4439 Registered: 11-2003 |
Do a good search of this Forum. There was some very good research about him. jjaba. | ||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 8943 Registered: 10-2003 |
It was the Garrick. The punch in the stomach was from a guy when he performed in Montreal. He had told the guy he could withstand any hit, so the guy hit him. Houdini had appendicitis at the time of the hit and it may have ruptured due to the force of the blow. | ||
Janesback Member Username: Janesback Post Number: 119 Registered: 08-2006 |
Here is a little information about the boxer who punched Houdini. Seems like his life didn't fare well after that incident....... http://www.findagrave.com/cgi- bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=114328 83 Also, it was rumored that Houdini swore he would return from the after- life. I think for years, on his death day, people and fans would lurk at his grave hoping for one last performance..... heres photos of the grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi- bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=509 | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 4441 Registered: 11-2003 |
Thanks Janesback. Excellent post. He was the greatest. jjaba. | ||
Gambling_man Member Username: Gambling_man Post Number: 889 Registered: 11-2003 |
Houdini actually said that "if it was possible", he would come back, as he spent his entire career trying to discredit the "psychics" who would fleece those who were emotionally needy... | ||
Spacemonkey Member Username: Spacemonkey Post Number: 114 Registered: 03-2006 |
Where is the Garrick Theater located? | ||
Gwyrah Member Username: Gwyrah Post Number: 20 Registered: 10-2003 |
Michigan and Griswald, I think that site is a empty lot now. | ||
Leland_palmer Member Username: Leland_palmer Post Number: 186 Registered: 08-2004 |
http://www.waterwinterwonderla nd.com/location.asp?id=603&typ e=5 | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 4055 Registered: 10-2003 |
 from www.houdinitribute.com | ||
Mauser765 Member Username: Mauser765 Post Number: 1131 Registered: 01-2004 |
Ehrich Weiss aka Houdini was attended to first by his hotel doctor for peritonitis, an extreme luxury in those days, from Hotel Statler. He died at Grace hospital in room 401 at 1:30 pm on Halloween Day, 1926. He did not get released from the water torture tank with an axe like in the Tony Curtis movie. His attending physician who pronounced him dead was Dr. Kennedy worked out of an office in the building at 10 Peterboro and Woodward. Houdini was prepared for burial at Hamilton Funeral Home on Cass Avenue - same as Henry and Edsel Ford and countless other important locals. (Now the Art Centre Music School) His body left for New York from Michigan Central Station on a pullman car called "The Detroiter",  |
