true, but you have to admit, when you think Houdini, you dont think " i remember that one effect or illusion he did" you remember the escapes, so my point was more that he isn't the first person in your head as a magician, at least not to other magicians.
I think you meant "[Houdini] isn't the first person in your head as a magician, at least not to other magicians
who aren't well read."
Vanishing Elephant, Metamorphosis, Needle Swallowing... Houdini built his name mainly with his escapes, yes, but he had quite a few magic pieces that he was known for as well. Near the end of his life he was focusing as much on magic as he was escapes. Talk to some people who actually knew him personally, or worked with him, or just read one of the many great books out there on him and I think you'll have a greater appreciation for Houdini's accomplishments as a magician. Also, keep in mind that his escapes were often seen as magic--some people believed he could dematerialize and that was how he accomplished his "impossible" escapes. There was a real mystery presented when Houdini's did his escapes.
It is with good reason that Criss Angel is trying to "beat Houdini's record" for a straight jacket escape on Oprah, and is constantly trying to recreate and outdo Houdini's escape feats on his TV show; and that David Blaine references Houdini in almost all of his specials (including his last one where he visited Houdini's former New York residence) and has "
A Latter-Day Houdini -The New York Times" printed in big font on the back of his DVD,
Fearless--because 84 years after his death Houdini is still the most widely recognized name in magic.