Harry Houdini, born Erich Weisz, was a Hungarian-American magician best known for his seemingly impossible escape acts. Houdini, a two-night miniseries by the History Channel, stars Adrien Brody as the revered magician and premieres on Sept. 1.
Take a look back at some photos of the original Houdini’s mind-boggling feats that made him famous throughout the world.
Harry Houdini is shown in chains in this photo circa 1899. APHoudini shows his handcuffs as he stands in a wooden box on a boat and prepares to be submerged into the East River, New York, July 7, 1912.FPG/Getty ImagesHoudini wears a straitjacket and hangs from a crane during one of his escape acts over Broadway and 46th Street, Manhattan, New York.FPG/Getty ImagesHoudini is seen being fitted into an escape proof suit. MPI/Getty ImagesHoudini chains himself to a locomotive wheel for an escape attempt.Mark Rucker—Transcendental Graphics/Getty ImagesHoudini, handcuffed, and with his feet bound in chains, dives into pool in Los Angeles, May 7, 1923. APHoudini prepares to be sealed in an airtight casket before being submerged in the pool of the Hotel Shelton in New York, 5th August 1926. Bride Lane Library/Popperfoto/Getty Images
