Dorothy Dietrich

Dorothy Dietrich is an American stage magician and mance style, took her under their wing. Walter Gibson, escapologist, and the first and only woman to have per- who was a confidant and biographer of Houdini’s said[10] formed the bullet catch in her mouth.[1][2] She was also “What you have is very reminiscent of Houdini, when the first woman to perform a straitjacket escape while sus- Houdini come out on stage, the audience automatically pended hundreds of feet in the air from a burning rope fell in love with him. In my long years I've never seen any- (as shown on a Home Box Office Special). She is the one who had that.” Dietrich also studied with “Coney Is- first woman to gain prominence as a female escape artist land Fakir” Al Flosso, a regular performer on the Ed Sul- since the days of Houdini, breaking the glass ceiling for livan , Jack London (for the bullet catch) women in the field of escapes and . She has been and Lou Lancaster with the Milk Can and the Straitjacket named as one of the top four escape artists in history.[3] escape, as well as slight of hand magic. “The recognition The 2006 Columbia Encyclopedia [4] included Dietrich gradually put Dorothy Dietrich and her magic into resort among their “eight most noted magicians of the late 20th hotels, nightclubs, school and college auditoriums, trade century”, and entertainment writer Samantha Hart in her shows.”[7] She became a favorite of several definitive book “The Hollywood Walk of Fame” called booking agents. her a “world-class magician” and “one of the world’s lead- ing female magicians”. Early on as a teenager she already was dubbed as “The First Lady of Magic.” [5] Dietrich, 2 Innovative routines often called the female Houdini, has duplicated many of Houdini’s original escapes, and has gone one step further by doing the Jinxed Bullet Catch Stunt — the one that Houdini backed away from.[6]

1 Early career

Dorothy Dietrich is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania.[7] In a six-page article about the history of women in magic in the women’s magazine, Bust,[8] which contained only two full-page pictures, one of and the other of Dietrich, Nichole Summer writes: Among the books that inspired her as a child was a bi- ography of Houdini, who became a childhood idol, a fact that later influenced her desire to perform magic and Dorothy Dietrich sawing celebrity comedian Robert Klein in half escapes.[11] on TV Early on, she learned her craft mostly from books. In New York, she auditioned for Westchester Department of She developed what is known as a flash act that included Parks from an ad in a show business newspaper and was doves, a rabbit, a duck and two poodles. Early on she booked on the spot for a full summer of work,[7] was rec- was considered a “leading dove worker”.[12] She also de- ommended to the school district for the winter months, veloped several routines few women had ever attempted. and re-booked the following summer for an increase in Sawing men in half, escaping from a straitjacket,[13] dates and price. Around this same time she earned her with coins via the Misers Dream, The Bul- performing chops working a dime museum “grind show” let Catch, and levitating audience members. It was her Ten-in-One operation in hectic Times Square run by leg- goal to level the playing field between men and women endary mouse pitchman Tommy Laird with such per- in the field of magic, and to innovate and break barriers formers as Earl “Presto” Johnson, Lou Lancaster, Chris where no women, and in some cases no men have gone. Capehart, and others. Showcasing for the Until she broke many of these barriers women were not Parent Assembly of the Society of American Magicians allowed full membership in such organizations as The So- at about the same time, well-known magicians Russell ciety of American Magicians and London’s Magic Circle, Swann and Walter B. Gibson, captivated by her perfor- which early on she tried to join. She has pioneered and

1 2 7 THE HOUDINI SEANCES

paved the way for women in the field today. son, Lou Lancaster, Jack London, Bill McQueen, Max Dietrich has created special shows for such companies as Maven (Phil Goldstein), Ben Robinson, , Maidenform, Pooltrol, Yago Sangria, Manhattan Shirts, , , Slydini and others. as well as fashion and cosmetic companies. She is a reg- Imam would, after several years, break away and form ular performer for trade and industrial events. his own competing club downtown in Greenwich Village. Brooks and Dietrich searched out , whose career had waned, and helped to bring him back 3 Television to prominence that led to his appearing on The Tom Sny- der Tomorrow Show and a series of TV and movie ap- pearances. Upon the closing of the Magic Towne House, On television, Dorothy Dietrich won attention as a Michael Chaut and Peter Samuelson would later develop woman who, instead of allowing herself to be sawed in “Monday Night Magic” along with Frank Brents, Todd half, reversed the traditional illusion and severed into two Robbins, and Jamy Ian Swiss, which still runs success- [7] parts the male hosts of talk shows and network specials. fully in .[17] As word got around she was called to do a Bill Cosby[14] special while still in her early teens, but with the help of her sophisticated style and makeup she passed as an adult and was able to work night clubs and banquets in leading 5 The Bullet Catch hotels and venues. Cosby was so impressed that he rec- ommended her to several agents. At this same time she In 2008, Bust Magazine reported[18] about Dietrich’s 1988 performed with Loretta Lynn, Dick Van Patten and Tony attempt to catch a bullet in a metal cup in her mouth. She Randall. performed it at Donald Trump's Resorts International’s Dietrich was co-editor, contributor and publisher of 10th anniversary in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was tele- Hocus Pocus Magazine along with magician/mentalist vised on a special called, Just For The Record, The Best Of Dick Brooks. In addition to escapes and large scale stunts Everything. This came about after catching a .22 caliber Dietrich has performs illusions with live animals such as bullet for the yearly convention of the International Broth- [19] doves, rabbits, poodles and ducks. She is also known for erhood of Magicians in Pittsburgh. It was shown on sawing men in half. She also does an updated version Network TV’s Evening Magazine, and on The New You of the classic Miser’s Dream, plucking coins from the Asked For It with Rich Little as host. She performed it air, nose, ears and pockets of a youngster from the au- again in Canada on a TV show called Autobus du Canada dience. She is also known for levitating volunteers from for the highest amount ever paid a magician on Canadian [20] the audience.[15] television. She is the first and only female to success- fully complete the bullet catch in the mouth. It was done under test conditions with the bullets bought by a commit- tee. Brought in under guard, an independent marksman 4 The Magic Towne House picked and fired the bullet. One of two chosen bullets was fired into a concrete backstop and the second was Dietrich was a founder along with Dick Brooks of New fired at Dorothy. Dietrich challenged anyone who could York’s Magic Towne House[16] a popular magic show spot prove that the bullet did not leave from the gun by of- in New York City, which was the longest running magic fering a $10,000 reward.[21] Feature stories and articles show in New York City history. Always interested in about her have appeared in major publications such as magic history and innovation, Dorothy Dietrich learned and TV Guide.[10] that opening a magic show spot in New York City was a dream of legendary magicians Houdini, Thurston, David Copperfield and Doug Henning. 6 Houdini Magical Hall of Fame At the same time she wanted a place where well-known performers could be seen, as well as to help to develop On exhibit for many years at the Houdini Magical Hall of future generations of magicians. Along with partner Fame in Niagara Falls, Canada, until it burned down, was Dick Brooks she accomplished this goal with The Magic a large two-panel display[22] of Dorothy Dietrich and her Towne House. Some of the magicians who got their accomplishments as “The Female Houdini”. A similar early start at The Magic Towne House include Eric De- display is now shown at Scranton’s . Camps, Imam, Jeff McBride, Otto and George, , Joseph Pepitone, Joe Raven, David Re- gal, Rocco Silano, Peter Samelson, Meir Yedid and oth- ers. Established performers of the era also performed 7 The Houdini Seances with them, including Bobby Baxter, Harry Blackstone, Jr., Milbourne Christopher, , Fantasio, Frank Gar- For many years she held the Houdini Seances in New cia, Walter B. Gibson, Wesley James, Presto Earl John- York as a tribute to the legendary magician, continuing 3 a tradition started by Houdini’s wife and passed on to of “” Sylvia Brown, Lisa Williams and John Ed- Walter B. Gibson. Even though Bess gave up the séances wards who she cites as examples of phony mediums that herself, she asked [23] magician Walter B. Gibson to carry are taking advantage of grieving people who are seeking on the October 31 tradition. For many years, Gibson, to communicate one last time with their deceased loved along with several other magicians, held the séances at the one... “We had a man come into our museum not long Magic Towne House in New York City. Before Gibson ago who had been to a phony medium,” said Dietrich. died [24] he asked Dietrich [25] to carry on the tradition.[26] “They tried to get him to take a substantial amount of Walter was a confidant and biographer of Houdini and money from the bank and bring it to them. They told him also wrote the famous Shadow Series. Dietrich continues the money was cursed and they were going to cleanse the the seances at The Houdini Museum in Scranton, Penn- money of the curse.” According to Dietrich, the mediums sylvania, each Halloween, the day Houdini died. The were attempting to scam the man with an old switch con seances have been shown on such shows as [26] TV Lands in which they take the money and bundle it up. The medi- Myths and Legends, Biography’s Dead Famous-Houdini ums then tell the victim of their scam to take the bundle and Exploring the Unknown. The seances at the Houdini home and put it in his freezer and not to look at the money Museum in Scranton are often attended by The Houdini for 30 days. After 30 days when he looks in the freezer Family who are the closest living relatives of Bess Hou- he will realize they switched the bundles and his bundle dini, making this the closest event connected back to the contains no money. By then the con artists are long gone original seances that Bess Houdini held. with the victim’s money. Dietrich attempted to persuade the gentleman to contact the police but he refused and told her the “psychics” know where he lived.” [28] 8 The Houdini Museum

When not traveling, Dietrich heads up to The Houdini 10 Traveling Houdini Exhibit Museum, the only building in the world dedicated to Houdini, where she performs on a regular basis when in Dietrich also sends out the World’s only continuous trav- town. She has been featured on many television shows eling Houdini exhibit. Besides featuring it as part of her and channels including CBC, BBC, CBC, NBC, ABC, many shows, it has also traveled to corporations, banks, Travel Channel, Syfi, and Biography Channel, TV Land, and casinos.[29][30] Mysteries At The Museum, etc. She is also a featured performer at the museum’s hit show nine years running Theater’s “Haunted! Mysteries & THE Beyond!" 11 Restoration and upkeep of The along with Paranormalist Dick Brooks. It is the longest running seance presentation in history. Houdini Grave Site

On September 27, 2011 a group she formed, that came 9 Debunker to be known in the media as The Houdini Commandos, secretly replaced the statuary bust at Houdini’s grave site that has been missing due to vandalism for 36 years. This Dietrich also crusades against those who falsely claim to was reported in a half-page story worldwide in the New speak to dead relatives of vulnerable grieving citizens. York Times on October 24, 2011.[31] Her world famous Early on, Dorothy Dietrich realized that there were those attraction Scranton’s Houdini Museum that she runs with who would use magic and various deceptive arts to ma- mystery entertainer Dick Brooks, has been asked by both nipulate and even cheat people out of money. So fol- the family of Houdini and the management of the ceme- lowing in the footsteps of famous debunkers who came tery to take over the upkeep of the grave that has been in before her such as Houdini, Milbourne Christopher and disarray for many years. In 2013 she petitioned The So- James Randi, she takes on such a role where possible. ciety of American Magicians, magic’s most prestigious She has a $10,000.00 reward for anyone who says they and wealthiest organization, thanks to Houdini, to take can contact the spirit of Houdini. One who tried recently over the care of the grave site which they agreed to do by was Canadian television “medium” Kim Dennis who had unanimous vote. Dorothy Dietrich commented on this, contacted the Houdini family claiming she was getting “I will not live forever, but The Society of American Ma- [27] messages from Houdini. *A recent article in the Ten- gicians will!" nessee Star Journal stated October 29, 2014, “Houdini exposed numerous phony mediums and inspired other magicians to follow suit. The Amazing Randi, Dietrich, Penn & Teller and Dick Brookz are magicians that have 12 Television appearances exposed these unscrupulous mediums. According to Di- etrich, mediums are thriving today in the U.S. and Eu- Just a few of the television shows in which she has ap- rope. Dietrich doesn’t mince her words in her criticism peared include: 4 14 REFERENCES

• The World’s Greatest Escapes as “Special Guest Star” 13 Bibliography on a Home Box Office Special starring Tony Curtis • Twelve Have Died!, the story of the Bullet Catch • The Tom Snyder Show along with Kiss • The Guide to Magic As A Hobby by Bill Severn • Evening Magazine • The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, Columbia University Press, (2006) • The Montel Williams Show • Feature article on women in magic. Bust Magazine, • Twice with Rich Little on You Asked For It May 2008 • Magic: The Complete Course [2] • Real People • “Electric City” Cover Story 2012 • The Travel Channel’s Magic Road Trip • Glendale Life Cover Story Houdini Bust Replace- • The Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the Museum[32] ment • In the 2013 film, "Now You See Me,” Isla Fisher • TV Land’s Myths & Legends plays an escape artist named Henley Reeves. In an interview she says, “I watched all of Houdini’s work • PBS Conversations and Dorothy Dietrich, who is a female escapologist, who is amazing, you have to watch her.” [33] “I got • PBS On The Pennsylvania Road to train with Dorothy Dietrich, the first lady magi- cian to catch a bullet with her teeth.[34] Fisher stud- • PBS Strange and Unusual Museums ied the life and work of illusionist Dorothy Dietrich to prepare for the role... Dorothy is a real female • Exploring The Unknown escapologist who is working today. She was the first woman to capture a bullet between her teeth, which • Biography Channel’s Dead Famous-Houdini is an amazing feat. She’s not only good at misdi- rection, but she also connects emotionally with the • Just For The Record, The Best of Everything audience, so she’s better able to involve them in the stunts.” [35] • Behind The Scenes with Jonathan Winters

• Klein Time with Robert Klein 14 References

• Man and His Mysteries with Dick Van Patten [1] Ben Robinson (1987). Twelve Have Died. The History of the Bullet Catch. Ray Goulet’s Magic Art Book Co. ASIN • Jean-Pierre Ferland's Autobus du Canada - CBC B00071NB3K. (three segments) [2] Joshua Jay (2008). Magic: The Complete Course. Work- man Publishing. p. 278. ISBN 9780761149873. • KDKA Pittsburg Evening News Bullet Catch Story [3] “10 Greatest Escape Artists in History”. http://brainz.org/ • OLN Canada Steve Santini’s Deals From The Dark 10-greatest-escape-artists-history/. Side, also shown in Australia, England, and in the [4] Columbia Encyclopedia. Columbia University Press. USA on the SyFi Channel 2006.

• Mentioned in a 3 minute bullet catch segment on [5] Dorothy Dietrich First Lady of Magic. House MD. Year 8, Segment 8, Perils of Paranoia http://books.google.com/books?id= X-8DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT18&lpg=PT18 2012. dq=%22dorothy+dietrich%22+%22weekly+world+news%22&source=bl&ots=C1DuyiDfis&sig=1csshg0ocu7tz8GMfIwSLN7xafU&hl=en&ei=_gjcTKj6KYL- 8AaymvjlCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false. • “Mysteries At The Museum” 2012 Houdini Mirror Cuffs [6] Samantha Hart (2000). The Hollywood Walk of Fame. Crybaby Books and Entertainment. pp. 598, 599. ISBN • Huff Post TV 2013 on Houdini’s Birthday 0-9665787-0-8. [7] Severn, William. Bill Severn’s Guide to Magic as a Hobby. • NPR 2013 Weekend edition on the Trials and Tribu- New York: David McKay Company. p. 96. ISBN 0-679- lation of being a woman in a man’s field. 51201-2. 5

[8] Summer, Nicole (June–July 2008). Bust Magazine. New [32] Travel Channel. “Keys to Houdini’s Se- York: Laurie Henzel & Debbie Stoller. p. 076. crets http://www.travelchannel.com/Video/ keys-to-houdinis-secrets-16342". Retrieved 2011- [9] Zagofsky, Al (July 22, 2006). The First Lady of Magic. 11-05. New York: Times News. p. 7. [33] http://collider.com/isla-fisher-now-you-see-me-interview/ [10] Zagofsky, Al (July 2, 2006). The First Lady of Magic. New York: Times News. p. 7. [34] http://seattletimes.com/html/movies/2021005059_ islafisherxml.html [11] Severn, William. Bill Severn’s Guide to Magic as a Hobby. Times News. p. 7. [35] http://www.coveringmedia.com/movie/2013/05/ now-you-see-me.html [12] Dorflinger, William. The Magic Catalogue. New York: E. P. Dutton. pp. 41, 227. ISBN 0-87690-272-7.

[13] Dorflinger, William. The Magic Catalogue. New York: E. 15 External links P. Dutton. pp. 41, 227. ISBN 0-87690-273-5. • “Article on Dorothy Dietrich taping a segment for [14] Severn, William. Bill Severn’s Guide to Magic as a Hobby. the Montel Williams Show on 4 Feb 1998”. Magic- New York: David McKay Company. p. 98. ISBN 0-679- Times.com. Retrieved 2007-03-12. 51201-2. • Dorothy Dietrich’s web page [15] “Houdini Museum – Quinlan’s Inside Magic Review %7c Inside Magic%7c accessdate= Jul 6, 2006”. • The Houdini Museum

[16] “Magic Towne House”. http://magictownehouse.com. • Houdini traveling exhibit [17] “Monday Night Magic Background”. http://www. mondaynightmagic.com/aboutMNM1.html.

[18] Summer, Nicole (June–July 2008). Bust Magazine. New York: Laurie Henzel & Debbie Stoller. p. 076.

[19] “Dorothy Dietrich”. All About Magic. Retrieved 2009- 09-12.

[20] “Pioneer Magician Dorothy Dietrich of the Houdini Mu- seum Changes Old Magic to New”. Reuters. 2008-09-30. Retrieved 2009-09-12.

[21] “Bullet Catch”. Genii Magazine. Retrieved 2009-09-12.

[22] Interval, Tom. “Houdini Magic Hall of Fame Niagara Falls Canada”. intervalmagic.com. Retrieved 2008-11- 20.

[23] “Houdini Seance”. Retrieved 2008-11-05.

[24] “Houdini Seances”. Retrieved 2008-11-05.

[25] Kevin P Meares. “ and the death of Spiri- tualism”. Retrieved April 13, 2012.

[26] Wintermantel Durkin, Kristin (November 3, 2006). At- tempt to reach legendary magician Harry Houdini filmed for TV Land Special. New York: Times Tribune. p. c 1.

[27] Wayne Kawamoto. “TV Medium Storms Out of Houdini Psychic Session”. Retrieved 2008-11-05.

[28] , The Tennessee Star Journal, Annual Houdini Seance

[29] http://HoudiniDisplays.com

[30] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sW4oL2H8fY

[31] “Houdini Returns (Of Course!". New York Times. 2011- 10-24. Retrieved 2011-11-24. 6 16 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

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