The Sensational Houdini Water Torture Escape
Artist
Seymour Chwast
United States, born 1931
Client
Mobil
Date1975
MediumLithograph
Dimensions46 1/2 x 30 in. (118.1 x 76.2 cm)
ClassificationsPoster
Credit LinePoster House Permanent Collection
Object numberPH.4272
DescriptionDoug Henning (1947–2000) was a Canadian magician, illusionist, and escape artist. In this poster, he is shown attempting to recreate Houdini’s Water Torture Cell, a trick in which the shackled magician is suspended by his ankles underwater and must escape before drowning. Seymour Chwast designed this poster in the style of Victorian-era magic show advertisements, with a grand central image and detailed text on the sides accompanied by a cameo of the star. Aired without commercials on NBC, this broadcast capitalized on Henning’s recent success on Broadway and included special guest appearances by Bill Cosby, Julie Newmar, and Gene Kelly (who replaced the advertised Orson Welles at the last minute).On View
Not on view
