Magicians Penn & Teller on Houdini, Graceland and their first Memphis show in 17 years..
By Jody Callahan for the Commercial Appeal – Memphis
On Sept. 1, 1923, the legendary Harry Houdini thrilled Memphis with his acts of derring-do in a show at the Orpheum Theatre.
Ever the master showman, Houdini invited Memphians to bring their own hammers and nails to lock him inside a box. They did, and of course, the box didn’t hold him for long.
Earlier that day, to drum up ticket sales, Houdini dangled in a straitjacket from the roof of the former Commercial Appeal building, as 2,000 Memphians gathered in Court Square held their collective breath. Not to worry, as Houdini pulled one arm, then the other, out of the straitjacket and was soon lowered to the ground, unharmed and basking in the applause.
On Friday night, noted magicians Penn and Teller will play the hallowed ground where their idol once performed as they return to Memphis for the first time in 17 years. Even though the original Orpheum burned down a month after Houdini’s show, the new building, erected in 1928, sits on the same site…
Magic News doesn’t generally publish stories about upcoming performances.. but.. this article contained a lot of interesting and historical information, so, I’m making an exception… Editor