S3·E11 Houdini: The Great Escape

An expert contortionist and master of illusion, he could escape from any cuff, vault or restraint—but could he evade the shackles of death itself? Harry Houdini dazzled vaudeville audiences with his unique blend of showmanship, magic skill, and daring. In capitals throughout the world, police and security experts tried to outsmart him, but the resourceful Houdini was always one step ahead. He could escape from a submerged crate, walk through a brick wall, and make an elephant disappear. But his lifelong fascination with the spiritual world led to his greatest challenge on Halloween 1926: would the great illusionist return from the grave to communicate with his wife? Interviews with magicians Penn & Teller, Harry Blackstone Jr., The Amazing Randi, and members of Houdini’s family shed new light on this remarkable man. Join Biography for the in‑depth story of a man whose ingenuity and bravura made him a household name.