Quotes from Harry Houdini


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The eating of burning brimstone is an entirely fake performance.


Eating coals of fire has always been one of the sensational feats of the Fire Kings, as it is quite generally known that charcoal burns with an extremely intense heat.


The great day of the Fire-eater - or, should I say, the day of the great Fire-eater - has passed.


Another method of eating burning coals employs small balls of burned cotton in a dish of burning alcohol.


I think that in a year I may retire. I cannot take my money with me when I die and I wish to enjoy it, with my family, while I live. I should prefer living in Germany to any other country, though I am an American, and am loyal to my country.


In all feats of fire-eating it should be noted that the head is thrown well back, so that the flame may pass out of the open mouth instead of up into the roof, as it would if the head were held naturally.


No performer should attempt to bite off red-hot iron unless he has a good set of teeth.


The pickpocket is usually very well dressed and of prepossessing appearance.


I make the most money, I think, in Russia and Paris, for the people of those countries are so willing to be amused, so eager to see something new and out of the ordinary.


How the early priests came into possession of these secrets does not appear, and if there were ever any records of this kind the Church would hardly allow them to become public.


A common pickpocket trick is for the operator to carry a shawl or overcoat carelessly over the left arm, and to take a seat on the right side of the person they intend to rob in a streetcar or other vehicle.


Pickpockets either work alone or in pairs, or what is called a mob.


What the eyes see and the ears hear, the mind believes.


But it must not be thought that I say this out of personal experience: for in the many years that I have been before the public my secret methods have been steadily shielded by the strict integrity of my assistants, most of whom have been with me for years.


Fire has always been and, seemingly, will always remain, the most terrible of the elements.


It is still an open question, however, as to what extent exposure really injures a performer.


Only one man ever betrayed my confidence, and that only in a minor matter.


I am a great admirer of mystery and magic. Look at this life - all mystery and magic.


To cause the face to appear in a mass of flame make use of the following: mix together thoroughly petroleum, lard, mutton tallow and quick lime. Distill this over a charcoal fire, and the liquid which results can be burned on the face without harm.


Flames from the lips may be produced by holding in the mouth a sponge saturated with the purest gasoline.