Houdini makes his first motion picture - the fifteen episode serial 'The Master Mystery.' Despite his wooden acting, audiences are thrilled by his stunts and he becomes an even bigger international star. Houdini is involved in a romantic affair with Charmian London, the widow of writer Jack London, who had died in 1916. The highlights of his act are the vanishing elephant trick and an indoor version of his underwater box escape. In the longest run of his career - lasting nineteen weeks - Houdini stars in the patriotic extravaganza 'Cheer Up' at the New York Hippodrome. Houdini lures master magician Harry Kellar out of retirement to perform in a benefit at the New York Hippodrome for the families of the men killed when a German U-boat sank the transport 'Antilles.'

After Willard insults him, Houdini wins the crowd with his retort, 'I will be Harry Houdini when you are not the heavyweight champion of the world.' Sailing back to America, Houdini amazes former President Theodore Roosevelt with a spiritualist trick on board ship.ĭuring a performance at the Los Angeles Orpheum, Houdini argues with celebrated world heavyweight boxing champ Jess Willard, who had refused his invitation to join the committee on stage.

Houdini faints upon receiving the news after a performance for the royal family in Sweden. Houdini legally changes his name from Ehrich Weiss to Harry Houdini. In September, Houdini debuts his famous Chinese Water Torture Cell escape at the Circus Busch in Berlin. 'Scientific American' magazine pronounces it 'one of the most remarkable tricks ever performed.' Houdini performs his underwater box escape in New York's East River before a huge crowd.

The American Experience | Houdini | Timeline (1912 - 1926)

Houdini water torture cell