I was born in Harry Houdini’s house I didn’t just say that so you’d keep reading I said it because it’s true You don’t have to believe me If I wasn’t me I wouldn’t believe me either But it’s true I swear Look I took this picture of the plaque outside my front door I live on West 113th Street in New York City If you don’t know New York that well 1 1 The Great Mancini
HOUDINI 1874-1926 The magician lived here from 1904 to 1926 collecting illusions theatrical memorabilia and books on psychic phenomena and magic Famous for daring escapes no restraints ropes chains straitjackets bank vaults or jail cells could hold him HISTORIC LANDSARKS PRESERVATION CENTER 113th Street is just three blocks from the most famous park in the world Central Park My house is right at the beginning of Harlem Anyway this is where I was born and where I've lived all my eleven years That's right I wasn't born in a hospital It's a long story that I won't bore you with but my parents weren't able to get to the hospital in time so I was born right here on 113th Street I wonder if my folks saved money on hospital bills 2
A century ago this was Harry Houdini’s house He lived here for the last twenty two years of his life Most likely you know Houdini’s name but you probably don’t know all that much about him He was a famous magician and illusionist but he was most famous for being an escape artist They would lock him up in handcuffs in a jail cell a rolltop desk a giant milk can and a mailbag He was even locked inside a hot water heater He’d always find a way to get out A Chicago envelope company once sealed him inside the world’s largest envelope He escaped Houdini even escaped from inside a giant football They could lock him up in just about anything anything and he would find a way to get out There was nobody else like him A century ago Harry Houdini was one of the most famous people in the world When I walk up the stairs in my house it’s cool to think that Houdini walked up those same stairs When I go down to the basement it’s the same basement where Houdini practiced practiced his escapes When I go to sleep at night 3
