Theodore Hardeen

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Theodore Hardeen (March 4, 1876 – June 12, 1945) was a magician and escape artist, best known as Harry Houdini's brother. So dedicated was he to Houdini that Hardeen usually introduced himself as the “brother of Houdini." He was the founder of the Magician's Guild.

He was born as Ferencz Dezso Weisz or Weisz Ferenc Dezső in Budapest, Hungary and went by the name of Theodore Weiss when the family was living in Appleton, Wisconsin. He was known as Deshi and later Dash by his parents. It was Hardeen who first conceived of escaping from a straight jacket in full view of the audience -- a concept fully used by Houdini and generations of performers since.

Will Goldston wrote that:

Hardeen learnt his business from Houdini, and he learnt it well, as no man could have failed to do with such a master. But the natural ability was always there. Even if Houdini had not existed to point the way, it is quite likely that Hardeen would have become an escape artiste. I have seen him perform several times, and have marvelled at his achievements. The huge chains in the cartoon are hardly an exaggeration of those from which he breaks loose. The handcuffs but a simple thing compared with those with which he is used to toy. Hardeen, like his more famous brother Harry Houdini is a great favourite in the magical world. He is a man of considerable culture and one of the best raconteurs I have ever met. Like Houdini, he is willing to expend both time and money freely to further the cause of magic. Both the amateurs and the professionals of our number regard him as a friend. And the general public regard him as a brilliant artiste and a thrilling entertainer.

[edit] References

• That Hardeen generally introduced himself as Houdini's brother comes from a conversation with the late Robert Lund. Lund founded the American Museum of Magic in Marshall, Michigan, the largest magic museum in the world. The museum contains some half-million pieces of memorabilia, as well as an archive of thousands of little-known conjurors. Items on display at the museum include the “Milk Can” escape equipment of Houdini.
• Jews in Magic
• Will Goldston; The Magician Annual (1911-1912)
• Hardeen; LIFE AND HISTORY OF HARDEEN (no date) A promotional pamphlet sold at performances wherein Hardeen explains how he came to do the straight jacket escape in front of an audience. He does NOT take credit for idea, he mere states the facts.
• New York Times; June 13, 1945, Wednesday; Illusionist, Escape Artist, a Founder of Magician's Guild. Gave Last Show May 29. Theodore Hardeen, a brother of the late Harry Houdini, illusionist and a prominent magician in his own right, died yesterday in the Doctors Hospital. His age was 69.