100 Year Anniversary of the Houdini-London Affair
The Secret Life of Mrs. Londonhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B072KRP7MN
As Houdini expert, John Cox writes this morning:
It was early in his run at the Hippodrome that Houdini learned the recently widowed Charmian London was in New York, renting a flat at 125 Washington Place in Greenwich Village. The Houdinis had come to know the Londons in 1915, and Houdini invited her to his show on January 17. She returned on January 22. Some time after, London recorded in her diary that Houdini called her and made a "declaration" that "rather shakes me up."
Houdini and London appear to have entered into an affair on or around February 13, after she had come to see his show a third time. The only record of what happened comes from London's private diaries (in which she referred to Houdini using the code "278"), so details are scant. But both appeared to have been swept up in the passion of their feelings, with Houdini once saying, "I would have told her–my mother–about you." What's not known is whether Bess was aware of the affair. But around this time Houdini did confide a friend, "Been having a hard time with my private affairs."
Houdini in 1918
1918 was a transformational year in the life of Houdini. Almost everything he did was a first; from new magic, to his first movie, to what may have been his first affair. By the end of the year, he had even transformed his appearance.
Learn More at https://www.wildabouthoudini.com/
As Houdini expert, John Cox writes this morning:
It was early in his run at the Hippodrome that Houdini learned the recently widowed Charmian London was in New York, renting a flat at 125 Washington Place in Greenwich Village. The Houdinis had come to know the Londons in 1915, and Houdini invited her to his show on January 17. She returned on January 22. Some time after, London recorded in her diary that Houdini called her and made a "declaration" that "rather shakes me up."
Houdini and London appear to have entered into an affair on or around February 13, after she had come to see his show a third time. The only record of what happened comes from London's private diaries (in which she referred to Houdini using the code "278"), so details are scant. But both appeared to have been swept up in the passion of their feelings, with Houdini once saying, "I would have told her–my mother–about you." What's not known is whether Bess was aware of the affair. But around this time Houdini did confide a friend, "Been having a hard time with my private affairs."
Houdini in 1918
1918 was a transformational year in the life of Houdini. Almost everything he did was a first; from new magic, to his first movie, to what may have been his first affair. By the end of the year, he had even transformed his appearance.
Learn More at https://www.wildabouthoudini.com/
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