Blog | Harry Houdini in Vancouver

Harry Houdini in Vancouver

By admin | August 9, 2016

Just three years before his death, Harry Houdini was strapped into a straight jacket and hung from a pole out of the third storey window of The Vancouver Sun building on Pender Street while crowds watched from below. This publicity stunt was a common one for the vaudeville star and he used it to promote his upcoming performance, which took place either at the Orpheum or at the Pantages on Hastings (sources differ). He performed this escape regularly and it only took him about two minutes and 37 seconds to escape.

Photos: City of Vancouver Archives, Vancouver Public Library

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