Houdini Fans to conduct annual Halloween Séance in Houdini’s Hometown
Houdini experts and magic historians will convene in Appleton, WI, for The Official Houdini Séance® at 7:30pm on Oct. 31. The event has been a tradition since Harry Houdini, the world’s greatest magician and escapologist died on Halloween in 1926. The private affair will be conducted at the Trout Museum of Art in downtown Appleton.
“Houdini made a pact with various magicians that if there was a way to return from the dead, he would do it,” said Séance co-director Bill Radner, West Springfield, MA. Radner’s father, Sidney, a protégé of Houdini’s brother, Hardeen, conducted many seances including two in Appleton in 1986 and 1988. “My father was a devoted fan of Houdini his entire life. Houdini’s rise from humble beginnings to world fame inspired him and inspires us today. Houdini was a very determined man and we owe it to his memory to continue our attempt until he breaks through.”
The Official Houdini Séance® has taken place throughout America and internationally with prestigious groups of Inner Circle members. This year is no exception. Dr. Bruce Averbook, noted Houdini collector from Cleveland, OH will lead a distinguished delegation. Besides Radner and Averbook, Debbie Hardeen Bloom-Hardeen’s grandniece, Houdini author Arthur Moses, Houdini enthusiast Midge Markey, handcuff expert Fred Pittella and Houdini collector Robert Somerdin will attend. Séance co-director Tom Boldt will provide the history of Houdini and his family’s ties to Appleton.
“Before Houdini Plaza was created, most people believed Houdini left and never returned to Appleton. Our research proves this was not the case,” said Boldt. “He and his family were always fond of Appleton. Houdini would claim to be born here. He performed here in 1896. He was interviewed by Edna Ferber in Appleton after his European triumphs, visited here numerous times and maintained contact with friends in the city throughout his life.”
The séance venue is also important in the Houdini-Appleton story. The Trout Museum of Art literally sits in the backyard of where Houdini and his family lived between 1878 and 1882. It’s a featured location of the Houdini Walking Tour of downtown Appleton. The museum formerly was a funeral home and Trout Museum staff have reported several unusual occurrences over the years.
The séance will be conducted by medium Cheryl Burch of DePere, WI. She is known for her ability to conduct group seances.
The Official Houdini Séance ® is by invitation only. Members of the media may contact Mr. Radner at rendar1@aol.com or Mr. Boldt at tom.boldt@boldt.com for press passes and additional information.
Sid Radner (third from right) and Helen Radner (third from left) with Walter Gibson (second from left) at Gibson’s NY apartment for the 1948 Official Houdini Séance.