How Did Harry Houdini Actually Die?

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  • Опубліковано 28 тра 2024
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    In this video:
    Few people in any field of human endeavor rise to become the unquestioned “top-dog” in their profession in their generation, let alone of all time. But ask almost anyone who the greatest illusionist / escape artist in history was and take the proverbial “dollars to doughnuts” wager that they’ll say “Houdini”.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 766

  • @TodayIFoundOut
    @TodayIFoundOut  5 років тому +77

    Now that you know the truth about Houdini's death check out this video and find out about The Bizarre Hollywood Phenomenon of “Twin Films”:
    ua-cam.com/video/nfe40-wfdCs/v-deo.html

    • @whyamihere4878
      @whyamihere4878 5 років тому +2

      Lol dude u have 10 likes while others have way more lool

    • @jasonwebb1882
      @jasonwebb1882 4 роки тому +2

      Would you please answering a question that I have really been wanting to know since I was a small kid. The king cobra shows that are in India. I was about 7 or 8 when I watched the King Cobra show with my parents. Now I am 43 and still haven't found a clear cut answer. Do they defang them or somehow take their venom glands out? I've been told that they just milk them all before the show. But it doesn't take much venom to either kill or make you wish that you were dead. I watched one of the guys doing the show get bit in the face. I'm not asking for a video, I'm just looking for an answer. Thank you very much.

    • @johnreidy2804
      @johnreidy2804 6 місяців тому

      Wow do you ever talk fast. But great video thanks

  • @Adam-ij4ys
    @Adam-ij4ys 4 роки тому +859

    Turns out Houdini faked his death, shaved his head and is now explaining how he died

    • @arseface726
      @arseface726 4 роки тому +9

      dopdog 456 LMAO

    • @exicutioner161
      @exicutioner161 4 роки тому +6

      I don’t think he has a beard...

    • @maple6894
      @maple6894 4 роки тому +9

      Deserves more likes

    • @arseface726
      @arseface726 4 роки тому +2

      Something Physical It’s a joke :/

    • @p3t3r826
      @p3t3r826 4 роки тому +1

      @@exicutioner161 grow a beard

  • @paulpreusser8193
    @paulpreusser8193 6 років тому +519

    So, today I found out Houdini didn't die from a punch, but from basic appendicitis. What a mundane way to go for such a badass.

    • @tymesho
      @tymesho 6 років тому +30

      back then appendicitis was much more common, and misdiagnosed, therefore dangerous/life threatening, but I certainly agree Paul.

    • @paulpreusser8193
      @paulpreusser8193 6 років тому +4

      David Pirtle very true..

    • @derekbroestler7687
      @derekbroestler7687 6 років тому +31

      Not if you've ever had, or seen someone who had untreated appendicitis, and most likely (in Houdini's case) full blown sepsis... It's pretty manageable/preventable now since decent medical care is just a 911 call away for most people, and most take it at the sign of SERIOUS pain, and we have antibiotics and good pain meds, but untreated it's kinda like having your stomach ripped out through both your side AND butt... WHILE you have the flu... because your blood is literally contaminated with your poo...
      And he had that, AND a broken ankle, when he showed up to do his job, and still took a "punch me in the gut" challenge, from someone 30 years younger, just for bragging rights, and THEN was like, "Nah, I'm fine, time to work"...
      And afterward, STILL didn't want his wife to take him to the hospital, because he was like, "I'll be fine"... until she cursed him out enough to call his own doc, who said "freaking go" and he was like "OK fine, whatever will shut you BOTH up"
      Smartest decisions ever made? Prolly not, knowing what we know now...
      But that's pretty damned badass if you ask me...

    • @yardwolves2773
      @yardwolves2773 5 років тому +3

      What our narrator Simon Whistler fails to mention, is that it wasn't just any punch. It was the five finger death punch. And Houdini is such a badass, because he didn't die instantly from the punch, but it did rupture his appendix. The appendix does take time to rightly shore up before withstanding such a blow, which -like was said- Houdini wasn't quite prepared for.

    • @bubbles8871
      @bubbles8871 5 років тому +1

      Today I found out what "Mundane" means. Thanks

  • @thatisjustgreat
    @thatisjustgreat 6 років тому +830

    Houdini didin't die, he escaped.

    • @madscientistshusta
      @madscientistshusta 6 років тому

      Hah

    • @ahmedziad3314
      @ahmedziad3314 6 років тому +2

      houdini did die at october 31,1926

    • @ahmedziad3314
      @ahmedziad3314 6 років тому

      look it up on google

    • @halonothing1
      @halonothing1 6 років тому +44

      You hear that sound? It's the sound of the joke going over Ahmed Ziad's head.

    • @flacz1514
      @flacz1514 6 років тому +1

      thatisjustgreat you suck

  • @DarthSmirnoff
    @DarthSmirnoff 6 років тому +297

    Odd, I never heard the died in the water trick rumor. I'd always heard it was from the punch.

    • @troodon1096
      @troodon1096 5 років тому +5

      Depends on when you heard the "rumor" which was not so much a rumor, as people thinking the fictional depiction of his death in a film was based on actual history, which it wasn't (to the film's defense, it was believed by many that he died that way at the time the film was made, and the filmmakers chose to depict the common belief rather than research the actual historical facts. Wouldn't be the first or last film to ever do such.) These days a lot less people have seen or even heard of that film, so more people believe his cause of death to be a lot closer to what it actually was.

    • @Jen-X333
      @Jen-X333 4 роки тому +1

      I never even heard about the punch until this video. I thought he died in a water tank trick.

    • @matto2971
      @matto2971 4 роки тому +1

      Me too.

    • @THEcatqueen-
      @THEcatqueen- 4 роки тому

      Im smarter than you guys I knew he died by punch he refused to get surgery so when he finally got surgery it was to late si then he was fighting it off then he said to his brother I can't fight any more than died

    • @basedcataphract5852
      @basedcataphract5852 4 роки тому

      It is from the punch

  • @radiofrog
    @radiofrog 6 років тому +148

    I remember 10-15 years ago watching an actual TV documentary stating that Houdini died via accidental drowning during one of his acts. It's crazy how far misinformation can reach..

    • @erinpanjer6768
      @erinpanjer6768 5 років тому +5

      I watched it too!

    • @SubPablum
      @SubPablum 4 роки тому +4

      Those TV documentaries still love to say Jimi Hendrix died of a heroin overdose. Well I know they used to, haven't watched one in at least 12-15 years. There is no truth on TV so I gave it up.

    • @jimbutler1189
      @jimbutler1189 4 роки тому +2

      Uraneum Have you ever listened to political news?

    • @migueldchamps2706
      @migueldchamps2706 4 роки тому +1

      Uraneum The Mandela Effect

    • @NelsSeth
      @NelsSeth 3 роки тому

      @@SubPablum 😱he died from what??

  • @W0WWWWWWW
    @W0WWWWWWW 3 роки тому +232

    Houdini is a legend he even escaped life

    • @billz4692
      @billz4692 3 роки тому +18

      How does this not have 100k likes

    • @vixlqq638
      @vixlqq638 3 роки тому +8

      So whoever commits suicide is a legend

    • @KingFearless
      @KingFearless 3 роки тому +1

      @@billz4692 🤭😆😂🙃

    • @enternaldeath1582
      @enternaldeath1582 3 роки тому +4

      😐😂😂😂

    • @marksullivan6319
      @marksullivan6319 2 роки тому +2

      @@vixlqq638 he didn't commit suicide, I'm sure he wanted to continue living. Sure his stubbornness ultimately lead to his death but that's much different than suicide.

  • @rubymimosa
    @rubymimosa 6 років тому +137

    I’m interested in Whitehead’s reaction to the initial kerfluffal. I would have felt awful if it were me...hopefully he was able to deal with the whole thing more sensibly than I would have.

    • @DeetsterB
      @DeetsterB 6 років тому +8

      rubymimosa Me as well. I’d feel crappy.

    • @troodon1096
      @troodon1096 5 років тому +3

      I feel bad for him, but if it's any consolation Houdini would have likely died either way, since he refused medical treatment even when doctors made it clear he urgently needed it.

    • @ParanormalEncyclopedia
      @ParanormalEncyclopedia 5 років тому +5

      There's some evidence Whitehead was a true believer (or wide eye in the parlance of the time) in the spiritualist movement. It's possible the attack was meant to seriously hurt Houdini.

    • @aidangriffiths5075
      @aidangriffiths5075 4 роки тому +5

      Nah he definitely went around bragging he killed him

    • @tineb2442
      @tineb2442 3 роки тому +2

      As a non-native speaker, I initially gasped at kerfluffal being a real word. Turns out, you just misspelled kerfuffle.

  • @akrybion
    @akrybion 6 років тому +190

    So stubberness killed him.

    • @nocturnalrecluse1216
      @nocturnalrecluse1216 5 років тому

      Yup

    • @emikoh9321
      @emikoh9321 5 років тому +12

      P K stubbornness *

    • @Tech_Traveler
      @Tech_Traveler 5 років тому +14

      That kills alot of people.

    • @1bobini
      @1bobini 5 років тому +1

      Jones Dakota, um he really was an athlete who did amazing things. He really believed in himself. He did incredible things during his lifetime. He did admit to his brother the day before he died, He said I’m tired of fighting Dash, I think this is going to get to me.

    • @inkyguy
      @inkyguy 5 років тому +2

      Or work ethic.

  • @JustinY.
    @JustinY. 6 років тому +800

    To sum it up:
    One PUUUNNNCHHH

    • @zaveexixterteen3841
      @zaveexixterteen3841 6 років тому +3

      Justin Y. What I was thinking! 😂🤣🤣

    • @ruikirisame1744
      @ruikirisame1744 6 років тому +17

      unlike saitama, that punch dealt poison damage

    • @NinjaKiwi2500
      @NinjaKiwi2500 6 років тому +1

      Justin Y. TO SUM IT UP, BOTS

    • @sailingsolar
      @sailingsolar 6 років тому +6

      One punch my ass. He should have listened to the doctors he paid to look at him and told him "go to a hospital". He was told that DAYS before he finally went. It was a very stupid thing to do.

    • @alejandrodecorse9437
      @alejandrodecorse9437 6 років тому +1

      Justin Y. NOOOOO

  • @juanelorriaga2840
    @juanelorriaga2840 5 років тому +17

    “You could have killed me slugging me in the gut like that.....that’s how Houdini died ya know”
    -John Candy
    “Planes,Trains & Automobiles”

  • @Dsdcain
    @Dsdcain 6 років тому +81

    Great video Simon and TIFO crew. As always educational without being boring. Really enjoy this channel. *:-)*

  • @Andreamom001
    @Andreamom001 6 років тому +103

    I wonder if a mistrust of hospitals and doctors is common in Hungarian culture. My grandma was Hungarian and did not go to the doctor at all in the last 60 years of her life. She lived into her 90's, but medical treatment could have helped her live longer (she died of skin cancer that she had home treated for about 20 years as it slowly worsened). Of course, a sample of two is much to small to draw any conclusions.

    • @jerotoro2021
      @jerotoro2021 6 років тому +18

      My Grandma is Hungarian also (still alive). I wouldn't say she mistrusts hospitals, but she is definitely indifferent to seeking professional medical treatment when she should. She always says she has gypsy blood, and I think that nomadic, self-sufficient attitude has some genetic basis among Hungarians. They are always looking to keep on the move, and always rely on themselves first and foremost. The idea of being stuck in a bed with nurses and doctors tending to them is very unpleasant.

    • @marksmith8079
      @marksmith8079 6 років тому +5

      My grandma on father's side mistrusted doctors and she was Maltese. She died when 87 when her grandniece was getting married- she just gave up on life.

    • @marksmith8079
      @marksmith8079 6 років тому +1

      She was Maltese by birth and Australian by naturalisation.

    • @Fannyandthehamster
      @Fannyandthehamster 6 років тому +8

      I'm Hungarian. It's common that especially older men don't seek medical help even if needed. But I think it's the same elsewhere. My grandfather only went to the hospital when he had final stadium cancer already.

    • @logik316
      @logik316 6 років тому +1

      Andrea B En Magyar vagyok, és utálom az orvosokat, LOL.

  • @tonygreene81able
    @tonygreene81able 4 роки тому +58

    “Ironic, he could save other's from death, but not himself."
    Is it possible to learn this power?...
    “ Not from a Jedi "

  • @notBrie
    @notBrie 6 років тому +105

    You can't escape death.

    • @Cjnw
      @Cjnw 5 років тому +1

      Even Jeebus couldn't \ #atheism

    • @neilfama4638
      @neilfama4638 5 років тому +4

      I guess you could say... *takes off sunglasses* he escaped LIFE o.o

    • @victorurgilez7275
      @victorurgilez7275 4 роки тому

      It’s a small sentence... but a really and scary one😕

    • @user-ym2ly7ij9z
      @user-ym2ly7ij9z 4 роки тому

      isnt death itself an escape?

  • @PsychoStreak
    @PsychoStreak 6 років тому +13

    No pun intended, but this hits a bit close to home.
    3 years ago my appendix ruptured, only without most of the common symptoms. I wasn't feverish, and the pain wasn't that bad. The symptoms were more like an impacted bowel.
    This started on a Thursday, but I didn't go to the ER until Sunday when I finally had a fever and the pain wasn't subsiding. So I walked over there (it's 4 blocks away).
    The doctors were not 100% sure when exactly my appendix had gone kerblammo, so after the scans and bloodwork came back they told me surgery needed to happen immediately because I was septic.They all seemed surprised that I walked in there and more so that I was walking around for at least a day, possibly 3 like that.
    Sufficed to say they got in there in time to clean out the remnants of my appendix and stitch up the hole before it killed me.
    I was in the hospital for a week afterwards while they pumped antibiotics and fluids in to get my white blood cell count down and deal with the dehydration. They all but ran out of places to take blood from.
    This was a few days before Trevor Noah's appendix ruptured and he discharged himself to do the Daily Show. My doctors were not about to let me out apparently. To be fair, he got operated on either just after or right before his ruptured. My infection had way more time to setup shop.
    Once discharged I was basically confined to bed for a month.

    • @nizzfizz9505
      @nizzfizz9505 4 роки тому

      How is this a pun

    • @sueme1954
      @sueme1954 2 роки тому

      @@nizzfizz9505 the pun is the first sentence... hits close to home. Houdini was hit and then died and the story hit close to home meaning that it reminded him of his appendicitis experience like Houdini.

    • @nizzfizz9505
      @nizzfizz9505 2 роки тому

      @@sueme1954 sorry yeah I was a dumbass back when I posted this don't worry

  • @hamm8012
    @hamm8012 5 років тому +19

    „A fever of about 102-110...“
    Me: wtf oh my god
    „...fahrenheit“
    Me: oh

  • @justsomerandomperson
    @justsomerandomperson 6 років тому +132

    Appendicitis. Huh. Especially weird for someone you would have thought had to have a badass way to die

    • @TheBrokenLife
      @TheBrokenLife 6 років тому +13

      He got punched in the stomach so hard that died, on a bet, for no money. That's pretty hard core.

    • @sailingsolar
      @sailingsolar 6 років тому +2

      Hard core stupid!

    • @logik316
      @logik316 6 років тому +7

      Same goes for Bruce Lee, the god of martial arts dying in his sleep from brain swelling.

    • @sailingsolar
      @sailingsolar 6 років тому +4

      @Laser325 Appendicitis? Harry died of "peritonitis", did you not hear that? Two different things. If you catch the flu develops into pneumonia and die, you died of pneumonia not the flu. Yeah and at the end the movie a Psychic gave his widow Beth the secrete message Harry said he would communicate if there was life after death. You believe that really happened?

    • @HoloCraze
      @HoloCraze 6 років тому

      I had peritonitis almost 2 years ago after my appendix ruptured. It was definitely an experience to remember...

  • @flatplant
    @flatplant 6 років тому +24

    I've never heard that Houdini died in a water tank trick. I still haven't watched the video yet but as I understand it Houdini died after being sucker-punched in either the gut or the kidney, something like that.

    • @RandomAmerican3000
      @RandomAmerican3000 6 років тому +3

      The dying in a water tank was from a movie. Because dying due to being to stubborn to go to a hospital wasn't as dramatic.

  • @OldSchool1947
    @OldSchool1947 6 років тому +18

    Incredible, not just that Houdini died from a ruptured appendix before the days of antibiotics, but that my FATHER survived from a ruptured appendix in 1922 when he was thirteen! Thank you God!

    • @wholeNwon
      @wholeNwon 6 років тому +4

      Thank his surgeon.

    • @OldSchool1947
      @OldSchool1947 6 років тому +4

      His surgeon left a remarkable scar that always scared me when I was little. I guess he knew he had to get in there quickly. The poor kid did almost die and spent 3 months in the infirmary and had to learn to walk again. I told my grandboys and they were duly amazed and thankful. There are both thirteen. All would have been for naught ... but God.

    • @EricHamm
      @EricHamm 6 років тому +1

      Fuck you, what did your dad do to improve mankind like Houdini?

    • @OldSchool1947
      @OldSchool1947 6 років тому +6

      F*** ____? So eloquent. You don't even KNOW me. Wouldn't YOU like to know what my father did? I'm sure he did more than YOU ever dreamed of doing. You may "insult" me but you better leave my Italian father out of it! ;-)

    • @CanuckGod
      @CanuckGod 6 років тому +9

      Wow, Mr. Hamm, who pissed in your Corn Flakes?

  • @markhorton3994
    @markhorton3994 5 років тому +3

    I have read several biographies of Houdini. One well researched enough to explain how many of Houdini's challenge excapes were done (he carried a shop in his private car and modified them when, as he required, the challenge device was left on display overnight), states that the blow was by a reporter on the train, that Houdini was distracted and didn't realize he had just given permission to hit him, therefore not tightening up. Also that the blow agrivated the about to burst appendix. Another account with medical consultation says that Houdini did reach the hospital on time but refused surgery. Also you have one slight error. Houdini believed absolutely in spirits. He was lost under the frozen Detroit river when a chain broke. He believed that his mother's voice led him to the hole in the ice just after she died. His anti-spiritist activity was anger at not finding a single one who was not a fake. He was an expert at seances and spirit cabinets having been one of the best Mentalists of his time. By the way his straight jacket and prison excapes were real made possible by skill and much practice.

  • @alpacaboy5730
    @alpacaboy5730 6 років тому +8

    "Double Indemnity" sounds like an awesome cop procedural!

    • @SerenityBane
      @SerenityBane 6 років тому +3

      Isaac Watt There is a pretty great film noir with that title.

    • @jmchez
      @jmchez 6 років тому

      Ariel_Grey29 That's the freaking joke!

    • @kathryngeeslin9509
      @kathryngeeslin9509 6 років тому +1

      The real shocker is an honest insurance company.

  • @tymesho
    @tymesho 6 років тому +1

    I've enjoyed your channel for a long while, but rarely comment. the content here is ALWAYS VARIABLE, and completely accurate/compelling. just a marvelous job. I thank you.

    • @etamommy
      @etamommy 8 місяців тому

      I think the word you meant was VERIFIABLE not Variable.

    • @tymesho
      @tymesho 8 місяців тому +1

      @@etamommy Nope. My next words were: "And completely accurate" described that. I used the word "variable" to bring light to the complexity of his content.

    • @etamommy
      @etamommy 8 місяців тому

      Ok, Tymesho. Thanks for the clarification. Makes sense. I guess when I think of content being variable I tend to think in terms of quality but you evidently are writing in terms of the vast variety of topics covered. @@tymesho

    • @tymesho
      @tymesho 8 місяців тому +1

      @@etamommy Indeed! Also, please don't mistake my response to you as being rude. (Others/friends and family have told me so.) I tend to be short with responses, of which I'm working on, lol. Isn't this a remarkable channel though? ~Best

  • @michellecook9361
    @michellecook9361 6 років тому

    thank you simon for this channel, i am amazed and greatly appreciative of the many things you have covered. this topic really gave me new insight. it makes me question many other things i have spent last 40 yrs i have accepted as ''fact''

  • @tychoazrephet3794
    @tychoazrephet3794 6 років тому +17

    *walks up to the worlds most famous and talented escape artist as he's trying to relax with a broken ankle, proceeds to punch him multiple times in the abdomen, weeks later receive news of his death* "Aw, what a shame. I punched that guy once."

  • @sandramorrison99
    @sandramorrison99 5 років тому +2

    I knew about the APPENDIX THINGY.
    Did NOT know bout the rest!
    Great VID- thank you! Abba cadabra

  • @berzerkbankie1342
    @berzerkbankie1342 5 років тому

    Definitely an intriguing man and as always a great video!

  • @shockmonkeyradio7128
    @shockmonkeyradio7128 6 років тому +2

    well researched. unbiased. My grandfather survived a ruptured appendix...

  • @tommynorthwood
    @tommynorthwood 6 років тому +1

    I love you Simon! You're so educational.

  • @russellwhite3415
    @russellwhite3415 6 років тому +1

    Another great video keep it up

  • @andrewkovnat
    @andrewkovnat 6 років тому +24

    Oh? I thought it was common to know that Houdini died from a punch to the abdomen by one of his fans.
    It would be awfully ironic to have died in a water tank.

    • @CanuckGod
      @CanuckGod 6 років тому +1

      That's always what I heard as well, but then again, I read about the more-or-less correct version from some series of biography books aimed at kids, and had never heard of the movie which portrayed the water tank legend. Either way, shitty way to go.

    • @Vampparition
      @Vampparition 5 років тому

      Andrew Kovant you got dat right

  • @jamesstrain7062
    @jamesstrain7062 6 років тому +4

    Thank you. I genuinely love when you folks clear up Urban Legends. I always heard growing up that he died from a punch to the belly. But supposedly HH would fill his belly with air prior to underwater acts for two reasons: 1)to swell his body up as to make any ropes or chains around him looser after burping.
    2)He would belch/burp air and somehow breathe it. Also, for added effect, he would let out air bubbles for the crowd to see and the sheer volume of belly and lung air would build suspense in onlookers.
    Anyhow, the rumor went that his belly was pumped with air like this when he received a flurry of blows and blew out a valve( for ignorance of a better term) in his throat. My father used to stay underwater for 5 minutes somehow(probably practice) and he was the purveyor of this myth. Thanks again for clearing it up.

  • @robertt9342
    @robertt9342 6 років тому +3

    Never heard of the water tank story, only ever heard of the short version said on here.

    • @EricHamm
      @EricHamm 6 років тому

      Blah blah, no shit, it was a clickbait trap.

    • @CanuckGod
      @CanuckGod 6 років тому

      Doubt it was clickbait as such, probably more the assumption that people old enough to have had watched the movie had about his death. Oddly enough, the younger ones of us (relatively speaking, anyhow, I turn 40 in two weeks) who had heard about his demise generally got the more-or-less correct version of events.

  • @puellanivis
    @puellanivis 6 років тому +1

    I actually suffered two days after my appendix burst before seeing a doctor. By then it had also progressed to peritonitis, because… well, untreated ruptured appendicitis does that. Even with modern medicine, I ended up spending a month in the hospital, without eating or drinking anything, and getting everything through IV fluids.
    As a result, it’s pretty hard for me to ever forget how Houdini died, because… well, clearly, I almost went out the same way. There but for antibiotic go I, and all.

  • @lexfacitregem
    @lexfacitregem 6 років тому +17

    I'm totally thrilled that this video didn't parrot off the usual urban legend of Houdini's appendicitis being directly caused by the blows he received to his abdomen. When I saw the title of this video, I cringed in anticipation of hearing this oft-repeated load of malarky. Kudos to the writer of this video for actually getting it right! Yes, Houdini did die of appendicitis...but it wasn't caused by the punches. Appendicitis isn't caused by physical blows....but I agree that Houdini most likely brushed off the pain, likely blaming it on those punches. Would he have sought medical attention had it not been for that incident? That is up for debate...though I do think it did at least play a role in his ultimately fatal decision.
    Another creepy fact about his last days in hospital... back then, it was customary for doctors not to let their patients know they were going to die.... so in keeping with that tradition, Houdini's doctor convinced him that he will recover, knowing full well he had only days to live.... and so up until the end, Houdini really did think he was going to make it through unscathed. Call me a coward, but I think I'd prefer not knowing of my imminent death!

    • @DukeNightmare
      @DukeNightmare 5 років тому +2

      Its a way to give the sick person hope, though personally id prefer knowing the truth

  • @seanjoseph8637
    @seanjoseph8637 6 років тому +3

    The punch/drowning story comes from the 1953 movie about him, with Tony Curtis as Houdini.

    • @seanjoseph8637
      @seanjoseph8637 6 років тому

      I just watched that movie and I am talking out of my arse.

  • @ToddGallant
    @ToddGallant 6 років тому +1

    Cool. Never noticed Eddie Deezen's name in the credits before. And yes, it's Eugene from Grease.

  • @densealloy
    @densealloy 6 років тому +4

    Houdini's brother Ted (Dash to family and friends),was also a magician/ escape artist performing under the name HARDEEN. Harry and Ted performed on vaudeville as the Houdini Brothers early in their careers. Ted is the founder of the Magicians Guild as well as known for creating several famous escapes.

    • @randysager3660
      @randysager3660 4 роки тому

      DenseAlloy His name was not Ted it was Theo. He was never known as Ted.

  • @loganfirstman7014
    @loganfirstman7014 4 роки тому

    I can relate, only i was about 5 when i got thumped in the side and had to wait a day before my parents decide to go to the hospital to get my appendix out. The wound still pains to this day.

  • @SlyPearTree
    @SlyPearTree 6 років тому +4

    I almost did not watch because I knew how Houdini died, it turned out I did not. Thank you.

  • @ProNoober8
    @ProNoober8 6 років тому +12

    "multiple organ failure as a result of septic shock"

  • @waynegoddard9441
    @waynegoddard9441 6 років тому

    Could you please do a video about the old stuntman/silent film star Harold Lloyd. The man was a supernova in his day and it would be interesting to see you guys take on him. Excellent channel. Feels like I have always been subscribed.

  • @chrischiampo7647
    @chrischiampo7647 4 роки тому

    Thanks Simon 😀😀😀

  • @shaddowsdieout
    @shaddowsdieout 4 роки тому

    Listening to the old podcast the one after the Amsterdam trip. This video comes up 7th when I type in Houdini. Just so you know.

  • @MrSHADEKILLA
    @MrSHADEKILLA 6 років тому +1

    houdini is quite the dapper looking fella

  • @therenaissanceman8563
    @therenaissanceman8563 5 років тому +1

    Not too bad. I give you 85-90% accuracy. In high school I read every book available on the life of Houdini (Eric Weiss). A theory I read was that Houdini was busy in his dressing room preparing for the show. The husky college wrestler boxer came into his dressing room and asked Houdini the stomach strength question. Houdini said yes, still focusing on preparations turned to the college athlete, as the athlete gave him the heavy stomach punch. It was supposed to double over Houdini and drop him to the floor. The athlete apologized and Houdini stood back up and requested another punch, which he took ready. Houdini finishes his show and falls after passing the stage curtain. After doctors examine him etc. ~72 hours later he died.
    Also Houdini(Eric Weiss) did under study with a circus magician where learned to tight rope along with swallowing small potatoes and bring them back up at will. Houdini also was a Pioneer of motion picture tricks at its inception just previous to film acting. Houdini was a tough guy for his day, practising ice baths for hours etc.
    So I applaud you in the land of UA-cam on accuracy without over embellishment. Again Good Job!

  • @mooncowtube
    @mooncowtube 6 років тому +18

    But, HOUDIN-I *does* mean "like Houdin" or "of Houdin" in Hungarian...

    • @grantmclean4744
      @grantmclean4744 6 років тому +1

      He said that houdini was told it was French and he also said that it wasn't true.

    • @zsfekete5211
      @zsfekete5211 5 років тому +3

      Hence the "but" at the start of the sentence. It is not true if the sample language is french but is if it's hungarian.

  • @KSeigY
    @KSeigY 6 років тому +3

    Imagine the physician's reaction if he had somehow made that appendix disappear instead, replacing it with the plant from his performance.

  • @TheBrokenLife
    @TheBrokenLife 6 років тому +6

    Archer already taught me this.
    _THAT'S HOW HOUDINI DIED!!_

    • @FishFreddy
      @FishFreddy 4 роки тому +1

      Aids

    • @trevscribbles
      @trevscribbles 4 роки тому +1

      @@FishFreddy Nooooo, why do you always say that!?

  • @camgood2437
    @camgood2437 6 років тому

    That's so funny. Just yesterday, I saw Houdin mentioned in a video, and I've been wondering since then if Houdini's name was related to his. I wasn't actually thinking about it when I clicked on this video, though, and it was so funny that it was the last bonus fact lol. I was like "oh yeah! I was just thinking about that!" Lol.

    • @camgood2437
      @camgood2437 6 років тому

      .. And I just happened to reply to a comment yesterday that someone made about things they were thinking about popping up in videos lol..

  • @Luchabul
    @Luchabul 6 років тому +2

    Well, I'm watching this in the hospital areter having my appendix removed

    • @loki6253
      @loki6253 4 роки тому +1

      Hope you didn't leave the hospital the way he did.

  • @michaelparker2449
    @michaelparker2449 6 років тому +3

    On Halloween 2026 I predict there will be a lot of people performing a seance trying to contact Houdini.

    • @chancegoode173
      @chancegoode173 5 років тому

      Houdini was a very Talented man it’s amazing how easily he would change his name in yjose days you could just do it at a whim it seems. Wasn’t a lot of paperwork to fill out or file.

  • @BLACKDAGGER794
    @BLACKDAGGER794 6 років тому +3

    I live in Appleton Wisconsin!

  • @mksabourinable
    @mksabourinable 6 років тому +3

    I've NEVER heard the drowning version... I've always been told the thing about him getting punched before he could prepare himself, causing shit with his organs..... What

  • @harriffanconshertini8804
    @harriffanconshertini8804 2 роки тому +1

    And then he was buried in a grave topped with a statue of his own head, which has been stolen many times - he's still trying to escape!

  • @shannonelizabethkelley7822
    @shannonelizabethkelley7822 11 місяців тому

    I just found u on UA-cam. I subbed

  • @MrWoodMan23
    @MrWoodMan23 4 роки тому +1

    Man dies on Halloween. And Bess could never communicate with him in the afterlife. Crazy.

  • @michaelwalton4017
    @michaelwalton4017 6 років тому +1

    Old news. Btw, you did such a great job on Sherlock Holmes on the fictional Bios. Could you do one on Hercle Pirero? Or mabey Horacio Hornblower?

  • @doonsbury9656
    @doonsbury9656 5 років тому

    There is a very strong contention that Harry Houdini did not make the first slight in Australia. The followoing is a quote from Wikipedia "Colin Defries (1884-?) was an English racing driver and pilot who made his first powered aeroplane flight over Australia on 9 December 1909"

  • @geminibodyshop71
    @geminibodyshop71 6 років тому

    loved it

  • @avalasialove
    @avalasialove 4 роки тому

    I knew all of this information. I learned about it in the book “Who was Harry Houdini?”. In fact, I’ve known about how he really died since I was in the fifth grade.

  • @Lifesituations8000
    @Lifesituations8000 3 роки тому +1

    Houdini got tired of his mother in law getting involved in his relationship with his wife, decided to fake his death and moved back to Hungary. Till this day that was Houdini's greatest escape

  • @iggy.
    @iggy. 4 роки тому +4

    It's simple,
    magic.

  • @ortensia1
    @ortensia1 Рік тому

    These comments are completely true. Well done

  • @thenormanator9379
    @thenormanator9379 6 років тому

    Shoutout to my hometown!!!!!!

  • @andrewince8824
    @andrewince8824 6 років тому +1

    Houdini is one of the few whose name is synonymous with his art, just like Einstein and Hawking are synonymous with intelligence and Hitler with dictatorship.

  • @colemoritz9248
    @colemoritz9248 4 роки тому

    I live in Appleton Wisconsin and never knew that

  • @billmadison9010
    @billmadison9010 Рік тому

    He did things most people are terrified just thinking about. His bravery was unheard of.

  • @DoppelgangerShockwave
    @DoppelgangerShockwave 6 років тому +24

    People still don't know the truth about Harry Houdini's death? I've know this since I was kid, and I'm 35 now. Very strange.

    • @Crumbite.
      @Crumbite. 6 років тому +1

      The Rooster i know right

    • @kathryngeeslin9509
      @kathryngeeslin9509 6 років тому

      The Rooster I've read biographies of him but don't remember the appendicitis.

    • @DoppelgangerShockwave
      @DoppelgangerShockwave 6 років тому +2

      Strange, cause I knew about it when I first heard of Houdini in a PBS documentary in the early '90s here in America.

    • @kathryngeeslin9509
      @kathryngeeslin9509 6 років тому

      Obviously I should remember that, but I don't. It is strange.

    • @DoppelgangerShockwave
      @DoppelgangerShockwave 6 років тому +1

      It's all good. Now we all know. :)

  • @daviddean5606
    @daviddean5606 5 років тому

    even in the early 1940's peritonitis was usually fatal, my grandfather died after an accident at his sawmill caused intestinal damage which led to peritonitis; many years later when i had a burst appendix i was saved by penicillin

  • @josephsarra4320
    @josephsarra4320 6 років тому

    Hi Simon Whistler,
    This is a pretty exciting video I have to say, ​and since you guys are informative and well-detailed, I have a question I want to ask. Can you talk about a disorder that is known as PANDAS (Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections) and why is it so controversial?
    Thank you for your time reading this comment and pleases let me know what you think.

  • @gj9933
    @gj9933 6 років тому +3

    I knew this it was depicted in a biopic!

  • @sixjhontongalamar979
    @sixjhontongalamar979 6 років тому

    You're a wizard Harry!

  • @paulsimmons5726
    @paulsimmons5726 6 років тому +5

    It's a shame that Houdini, along with many others, had doubts about seeing doctors during this time period. Bing Crosby's favorite session guitarist, Eddie Lang, was another celebrity who feared doctors and put off seeking medical attention until he had no choice. Lang had his tonsils removed but never woke up.
    Surgery is never a given, but back then it was much more hit or miss.

  • @victormopedadventure778
    @victormopedadventure778 4 роки тому

    i am gasping hering the voice

  • @tylorwendt5623
    @tylorwendt5623 6 років тому +2

    I had never actually heard the myth of this. actually knew the truth apparently, so was surprised.

  • @meltdowntf2865
    @meltdowntf2865 3 роки тому +1

    This is british vsauce michael

  • @kght222
    @kght222 6 років тому

    5:19 he forgot to stipulate "and only" for the time he would attempt to make contact. but then again he may have thought of that and realized it would break the trick. he wasn't barnam, but i'm sure he understood that the show must go on ;P

  • @tomasc7728
    @tomasc7728 6 років тому +4

    Hey Simon! You seem
    to have
    a lot more pauses
    than usual. Like you're short of breath. Are you doing alright? Love this show!

    • @qamaralleyle
      @qamaralleyle 6 років тому

      Tomas Cartmill hemorrhoids acting up on him

  • @graceosborne6783
    @graceosborne6783 5 років тому +1

    Harry is actually in my Family tree

  • @Pehmokettu
    @Pehmokettu 6 років тому

    Could you please also use Celsius and metric system together with the Fahrenheit and U.S. measurements on your videos like many other fact channels on UA-cam do nowadays? That would be great for the international audience.

  • @freetimefoster
    @freetimefoster 6 років тому +3

    Question - how did Simon end up in Czechia

  • @lisarakic9285
    @lisarakic9285 6 років тому +1

    I had no idea Houdini was a pilot.

  • @kryxz
    @kryxz 5 років тому +1

    Is this the guy with the blue short in calisthenicmovements lmaoo

  • @k0smon
    @k0smon 2 роки тому

    His message finally came thru the medium Arthur Ford.

  • @jjotter2357
    @jjotter2357 3 роки тому

    Planes Trains and Automobiles brought me here😂

  • @alyssabrown-carleton6173
    @alyssabrown-carleton6173 6 років тому

    My great grandparents lived in appleton, long after his death though

  • @pandamsp8146
    @pandamsp8146 5 років тому

    I just went to show and the guy tryed the water tank trick and he SURIVED

  • @Peasmouldia
    @Peasmouldia 4 роки тому

    Houdini had made the same postmortem agreement with his mother, who was an ardent spiritualist. Harry was a bit of a mums boy and searched for spiritualists who might help him contact ma in the spiritual realm. He hooked up with Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle in this regard, but after many disappointments became a debunker of spiritualist charlatans. With his skills as an illusionist, you weren't going to put one over on Harry.

  • @savagedragon79
    @savagedragon79 5 років тому

    Never heard that rumor before

  • @kosrules1884
    @kosrules1884 6 років тому +10

    Can you do a video on R. Lee Ermey aka gunne. Rip gunne

  • @DesertFoxz
    @DesertFoxz 3 роки тому

    Had my appendix rupture and got sepsis. If you feel extreme constant pain in your gut get checked out! Also check if you have an elevated white blood cell count in case there is leakage which can develop into sepsis. The first doctor missed my ruptured appendix on a ct scan but I went back since the pain wouldn't stop. You can't survive a ruptured appendix on your own, you will die guaranteed.

  • @itsyehippohd8312
    @itsyehippohd8312 4 роки тому

    No one:
    My goat in the backyard: ayo my g i think I found vsauce michaels European brother

  • @reconphil
    @reconphil 6 років тому

    How about a video on how scientists came up with the idea of distilling petroleum into various products and how early was petroleum actually widely used?

  • @ParanormalEncyclopedia
    @ParanormalEncyclopedia 5 років тому

    He deserves more credit for not going to the hospital. Yeah it wasn't a great idea but doing so would have meant canceling a show. The last time he did that there was rioting in the city and the theatre owner (where he was to preform) begged him not to cancel. Its tragic that he died but he was trying to avoid violence which does deserve respect.
    Houdini's relationship with spiritualism is fascinating. He was deeply religious (Jewish specifically) and wrote that he firmly believed in the hereafter (A Magician Amongst the Spirits). He started his quest in hopes of contacting his mother who he all but worshiped and only turned fully against it when he realized it was a fraud. Despite it he maintained a deep respect for Sir Arthr Conan Doyle (who embraced EVERYTHING remotely supernatural or paranormal) convinced Doyle was a well meaning man deceived by charlitans rather then a charlitan himself (Doyle's oppinion of Houdini was not nearly so nice at the end).

  • @stephenwilliamson8012
    @stephenwilliamson8012 6 років тому

    If Houdini was so stubborn, then it’s likely even if it is possible to communicate from the dead, he wouldn’t because he was a debunker before.

    • @markhorton3994
      @markhorton3994 5 років тому

      He was a debunker because of his anger at only finding frauds while trying to contact his mother.

  • @Scribe13013
    @Scribe13013 6 років тому +3

    Kevin G never heard of wiki?

  • @arandomyoutuber6634
    @arandomyoutuber6634 6 років тому +3

    On 1000 ways to die it says he got punched and then his appendix exploded and so he died and then once a few years ago I saw something saying that he was bit by a Brazilian wandering spider and he died from that

    • @antoniodiavolo
      @antoniodiavolo 6 років тому +1

      ARandomUA-camr where’d you hear the spider one)

    • @arandomyoutuber6634
      @arandomyoutuber6634 6 років тому

      Antonio Diavolo ICR it was a long time ago

  • @XenoTravis
    @XenoTravis 5 років тому

    doesn't the history Channel have a series on houdini? I remember seeing a good mini series on him and the punch was in it.

  • @ccccha
    @ccccha 6 років тому

    I know Houdini was a very early, even pioneering pilot, but I think, "Airline Pilot" implies he flew for commercial airlines (He did not). I do remember at least one book where Houdini was quoted as saying that even if the world did not remember him as a magician, they would surely remember him as the first man to fly in Australia.