The world-famous Harry Houdini captivated crowds with his escapology, and knew he was in for big audiences when he came to Glasgow.
His last ever visit to Scotland in 1920 was no different, with the illusionist set to perform at the Pavilion. Employees of Lithgow Ltd at Port-Glasgow published a letter in the Evening Times, presenting him with a real challenge.
It read: “We hereby challenge you to escape from a heavy wooden packing case which we specially constructed for the challenge. We will send it to the Pavilion for examination.
“If you accept it, it is understood you must not demolish it in your efforts to escape. If you are afraid to try this in public, will you try it privately?”
Houdini had previously asked the permission of the Magistrates to be lowered into the Clyde, hand-cuffed, in a box. Officials refused the request on the grounds that there might be danger to the public, as the railings of the bridge might give way to pressure.
The wooden box wasn’t the only challenge Harry received prior to his Glasgow visit, with Leckie Graham & Co - a leather manufacturer - offering up one of their creations. Published in a Pavilion advertisement they dared Houdini to escape from a straitjacket they had devised, adding: “Our Punishment Suit Restraint holds the murderous insane from the neck down to and including the feet.”
They added that his ankles would be bound by a sash chord that would be nailed to the stage. The escapologist accepted both the Lithgow Ltd challenge, and the one from Leckie Graham & Co - and overcame both in front of sold out crowds.
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Despite his achievement, Houdini received some uncharacteristically bad reviews during his 1920 tour of Europe. Having gained a global reputation, many believed he had become too big for his boots.
Featuring in several silent films in the US, Houdini proudly told crowds of this - with audiences complaining that ‘half of his set’ was preaching about the great things he’d done.
Glasgow locals - who never take well to a large ego, were known to attempt to burst the bubble of Houdini with a rumour spread that he had locked himself in a toilet and had to be rescued. The tall tale changed many times, moving the incident from a toilet to a closet, a phonebooth, or car.
Houdini passed away in 1926, at the age of 52 - just six years after his final visit to Scotland.
