Trying to research a thread between Blaine and Houdini

[StevenLevitt]

You guys are probably getting sick of me creating these threads about Blaine and Houdini. But, I am so confused about what to talk about, I am certain there is something more interesting about the two people than their life stories.

I just need some thread between them both. I am presenting about them both for my university course, but I just don't want to stand there and give them a presentation about the background of both of them... I want to do something linked to them both rather than speaking about them both separately.

So I was thinking of looking into, "Is Blaine influence by Houdini?", or I could use the media... How Houdini got attention through Newspapers, and Blaine has worldwide coverage... I am not sure...

But I want my presentation to be more than just talking about both of their life stories... I want to talk about them both linked, if this makes sense? Any ideas and questions are appreciated

 

[blahblah]

they are linked, blaine started magic because of a picture he saw of harry houdini, after doing magic man he decided to do a stunt that houdini did once, and said he would never do it again, houdini started as a magcian then became a stunt person, blaine did magic and now does stunts.

talk about how blaine was inspired by houdini and thats what made him who he is.

 

[StevenLevitt]

That is one idea. - Thank you! Any other different ideas will be a great help.

 

[Brad Henderson]

They both have unhealthy mother fixations. Houdini's led to a life long attempt to contact her via spiritualism and his campaign to expose fraudulent mediums. Blaine has defined his stunts as some desperate attempt to get his mother's post mortem approval.

 

[GusEds]

The Dive of Death special that Blaine id explains a lot about hisinflueneces, and why he was fascinated by Houdini.

Thought for the wind...

 

[dejavu05]

If it weren't for Houdini I doubt David Blaine would be doing endurance stunts...along with many other magicians. Houdini inspired so many people to do stunts. The mother fixation comment was also very interesting. Houdini was deeply in love (not in a creepy way) with his mother. There was a story as I remember about Houdini leaving for another country or something for magic and he did not want to leave his mother (he kept kissing and hugging her). He also supported (financially) his mother throughout his life from the moment his father (Rabbi Weiss) told him at a young age to take care of her. He was always kind to his mother (also his wife at that). Also the Dive of Death comment was very true. David Blaine got his inspiration to do the Dive of Death because he saw Houdini hanging upside down in a straightjacket.

Best of luck with your research and if you need any help feel free to PM me or start another thread (I love talking about Houdini).

 

[StevenLevitt]

That could be a good aspect to talk about them both.

Why do they do it?

Money
Fame
Body Endurance
Family Support
Etc etc...

Would be quite an interesting view to look from.