Dorothy Dietrich

Dorothy Dietrich
Known for her innovative magic and feats of escapology
Born	October, 31, Halloween Erie, Pennsylvania
Occupation	magician, illusionist, escapologist, stunt performer, actor, historian, collector, Houdini collector, Houdini expert, Houdini consultant, magic consultant, graphologist, and paranormal investigator
Website
Official Website

Dorothy Dietrich is an American stage magician and escapologist, and the first and only woman to have performed the bullet catch in mouth.^[1][2] She was also the first woman to perform a straitjacket escape while suspended hundreds of feet in the air from a burning rope (as shown on a Home Box Office Special. The 2006 Columbia Encyclopedia ^[3] included Dietrich among their "8 most noted magicians of the late 20th century", and entertainment writer Samantha Hart in her definitive book "The Hollywood Walk of Fame" called her a "world-class magician" and "one of the world's leading female magicians". Early on as a teenager she already was dubbed as "The First Lady of Magic" ^[4] Dietrich has duplicated many of Houdini's original escapes, and has gone one step further by doing the Jinxed Bullet Catch Stunt — the one that Houdini backed away from.^[5]

Tony Curtis & Dorothy Dietrich as special guest star on the HBO Special "The World's Greatest Escapes.

Knotts Berry Amusement Park straitjacket escape for HBO Special

Early career

Dorothy Dietrich is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania^[6] In a six-page article about the history of women in magic in the women's magazine, Bust,^[7] which contained only two full-page pictures, one of Adelaide Herrmann and the other of Dietrich, Nichole Summer writes:

“

Growing up in rural Pennsylvania with six brothers, she often found herself tied up as the damsel in distress during their games of cowboy and Indians but would somehow manage to escape on her own. When an aunt saw her freeing herself one day, she said to her, "Who do you think you are,Houdini?"[8] Dietrich had no clue who Houdini was but set off for the local library to find out. Doing odd jobs, at the age of 13, she saved enough money as a young teen to hitch a ride with a girlfriend's older brother to New York and ran away from her abusive father, her first true escape act.[9]

”

Among the books she read was a biography of Houdini, who became a childhood idol, a fact that later influenced her desire to perform straitjacket escapes.^[10]

Early on, she learned her craft mostly from books. In New York, she auditioned for Westchester Department of Parks from an ad in a show business newspaper and was booked on the spot for a full summer of work,^[6] was recommended to the school district for the winter months, and re-booked the following summer for an increase in dates and price. Around this same time she earned her performing chops working a dime museum "grind show" Ten-in-One operation in hectic Times Square run by legendary mouse pitchman Tommy Laird with such performers as Earl "Presto" Johnson, Lou Lancaster, Chris Capehart, Dick Brooks and others. Showcasing for the Parent Assembly of the Society of American Magicians at about the same time, well-known magicians Russell Swann and Walter B. Gibson, captivated by her performance style, took her under their wing. Walter Gibson, who was a confidant and biographer of Houdini's said^[9] "What you have is very reminiscent of Houdini, when Houdini come out on stage, the audience automatically fell in love with him. In my long years I've never seen anyone who had that." Dietrich also studied with "Coney Island Fakir" Al Flosso, a regular performer on the Ed Sullivan television show, Jack London (for the bullet catch) and Lou Lancaster with the Straitjacket escape. "The recognition gradually put Dorothy Dietrich and her magic into resort hotels, nightclubs, school and college auditoriums, trade shows."^[6] She became a favorite of several New York booking agents.

Innovative routines

Dorothy Dietrich sawing celebrity comedian Robert Klein in half on TV

She developed what is known as a flash act that included doves, a rabbit, a duck and two poodles. Early on she was considered a "leading dove worker".^[11] She also developed several routines few women had ever attempted. Sawing men in half, escaping from a straitjacket,^[12] sleight of hand with coins via the Misers Dream, The Bullet Catch, and levitating audience members. It was her goal to level the playing field between men and woman in the field of magic. Until she broke these barriers women were not allowed full membership in such organizations as The Society of American Magicians and London's Magic Circle, which early on she tried to join. She has pioneered and paved the way for women in the field today.

Dorothy Dietrich producing doves close up with Bill Cosby on ABC National TV

Dietrich has created special shows for such companies as Maidenform, Pooltrol, Yago Sangria, Manhattan Shirts, as well as fashion and cosmetic companies. She is a regular performer for trade and industrial events.

Television

On television, Dorothy Dietrich won attention as a woman who, instead of allowing herself to be sawed in half, reversed the traditional illusion and severed into two parts the male hosts of talk shows and network specials.^[6] As word got around she was called to do a Bill Cosby^[13] special while still in her early teens, but with the help of her sophisticated style and makeup she passed as an adult and was able to work night clubs and banquets in leading hotels and venues. Cosby was so impressed that he recommended her to several agents. At this same time she performed with Loretta Lynn, Dick Van Patten and Tony Randall.

The Magic Towne House

Dietrich was a founder along with Dick Brooks (Dick Brookz) of New York's Magic Towne House^[14] a popular magic show spot in New York City, which had one of the longest running magic shows in New York City. Always interested in magic history and innovation, Dorothy Dietrich learned that opening a magic show spot in New York City was a dream of legendary magicians Houdini, Thurston and Doug Henning.

Catching a bullet at Resorts International for Donald Trump Anniversary

At the same time she wanted a place where well known performers could be seen, as well as to help to develop future generations of magicians. Along with partner Dick Brooks (Dick Brookz) she accomplished this goal with The Magic Towne House. Some of the magicians who got their early start at The Magic Towne House include Eric DeCamps, Imam, Jeff McBride, Otto and George, Johnny Ace Palmer, Joseph Pepitone, Joe Raven, David Regal, Rocco Silano, Peter Samelson, Meir Yedid and others. Established performers of the era also performed with them, including Bobby Baxter, Harry Blackstone, Jr., Milbourne Christopher, Daryl, Fantasio, Frank Garcia, Walter B. Gibson, Wesley James, Presto Earl Johnson, Lou Lancaster, Jack London, Bill McQueen, Max Maven (Phil Goldstein), Ben Robinson, James Randi, David Roth, George Schindler, Slydini and others.

Imam would, after several years, break away and form his own competing club downtown in Greenwich Village. Brooks and Dietrich searched out Brother Theodore, whose career had waned, and helped to bring him back to prominence that led to his appearing on The Tom Snyder Tomorrow Show and a series of TV and movie appearances. Upon the closing of the Magic Towne House, Michael Chaut and Peter Samuelson would later develop "Monday Night Magic" along with Frank Brents, Todd Robbins, and Jamy Ian Swiss, which still runs successfully in New York City.^[15]

The Bullet Catch

In 2008, Bust Magazine reported^[16] about Dietrich's 1988 attempt to catch a bullet in a metal cup in her mouth. She performed the trick at Donald Trump's Resorts International's 10th anniversary in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was televised on a special called, Just For The Record, The Best Of Everything. This came about after catching a .22 caliber bullet for the yearly convention of the International Brotherhood of Magicians in Pittsburgh.^[17] It was shown on Network TV's Evening Magazine, and on The New You Asked For It with Rich Little as host. She performed the trick again in Canada on a TV show called Autobus du Canada for the highest amount a magician can obtain on Canadian television.^[18] She was the first female to successfully complete the trick. It was done under test conditions with the bullets bought by a committee, brought in under guard, an independent marksman picked and fired the bullet. One of two chosen bullets was fired into a concrete backstop and the second was fired at Dorothy. Dietrich challenged anyone who could prove that the bullet did not leave from the gun by giving a $10, 000 reward.^[19] Feature stories and articles about her have appeared in major publications such as the New York Times and TV Guide.^[9]

Houdini Magical Hall of Fame

Dorothy Dietrich panel one at Houdini Hall of Fame, Niagara Falls.

Dorothy Dietrich panel two at Houdini Hall of Fame, Niagara Falls.

One exhibit for many years, until it burned down, the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Canada had a large two panel display^[20] of Dorothy Dietrich and her accomplishments as "The Female Houdini on display. A similar display is now shown at Scranton's Houdini Museum.

The Houdini Seances

For many years she held the Houdini Seances in New York as a tribute to the legendary magician, continuing a tradition started by Houdini's wife and perpetuated by Walter B. Gibson. Even though Bess gave up the séances herself, she asked ^[21] magician Walter B. Gibson to carry on the October 31 tradition. For many years, Gibson, along with several other magicians, held the séances at the Magic Towne House in New York City. Before Gibson died ^[22] he asked Dietrich to carry on the tradition.^[23] Walter was a confidant and biographer of Houdini and also wrote the famous Shadow Series. Dietrich currently continues the seances at The Houdini Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania, each Halloween, the day Houdini died. The seances have been shown on such shows as ^[23] TV Lands Myths and Legends, Biography's Dead Famous-Houdini and Exploring the Unknown. The seances at the Houdini Museum in Scranton are often attended by The Houdini Family who are the closest living relatives of Bess Houdini making this the closest event connected back to the original seances that Bess Houdini held.

The Houdini Museum

When not traveling, Dietrich heads up to The Houdini Museum where she performs on a regular basis when in town. She has been featured on many television shows and channels including CBC, BBC, CBC, NBC, ABC, Travel Channel, Biography Channel, TV Land, etc. She is also a featured performer at the museum's hit show four years running Psychic Theater's "Haunted! Mind Mysteries & THE Beyond!" along with Paranormalist Dick Brooks (Dick Brookz).

Dietrich was co-editor, contributor and publisher of Hocus Pocus Magazine along with magician/mentalist Dick Brooks (Dick Brookz). In addition to escapes and large scale stunts Dietrich has performs illusions with live animals such as doves, rabbits, poodles and ducks. She is also known for sawing men in half. She also does an updated version of the classic Miser's Dream, plucking coins from the air, nose, ears and pockets of a youngster from the audience. She is also known for levitating volunteers from the audience.^[24]

Billed as special guest star on HBO's World's Greatest

Dorothy Dietrich performing on the same show with Kiss.

Debunker

Dietrich also crusades against those who falsely claim to speak to dead relatives of vulnerable grieving citizens. Early on, Dorothy Dietrich realized that there were those who would use magic and various deceptive arts to manipulate and even cheat people out of money. So following in the footsteps of famous debunkers who came before her such as Houdini, Milbourne Christoper and James Randi, she takes on such a role where possible. She has a $10,000.00 reward for anyone who says they can contact the spirit of Houdini. One who tried recently was Canadian television "medium" Kim Dennis who had contacted the Houdini family claiming she was getting messages from Houdini.^[25]

Television appearances

Just a few of the television shows in which she has appeared include:

• The World's Greatest Escapes a Home Box Office Special starring Tony Curtis
• The Tom Snyder Show along with Kiss
• Evening Magazine
• The Montel Williams Show
• Twice with Rich Little on You Asked For It
• Real People
• The Travel Channel's Magic Road Trip
• TV Land's Myths & Legends
• PBS Conversations
• PBS On The Pennsylvania Road
• PBS Strange and Unusual Museums
• Exploring The Unknown
• Biography Channel's Dead Famous-Houdini
• Just For The Record, The Best of Everything
• Behind The Scenes with Jonathan Winters
• Klein Time with Robert Klein
• Man and His Mysteries with Dick Van Patton
• "Jean-Pierre Ferland's,Autobus du Canada CBC Three segments
• KDKA Pittsburg Evening News Bullet Catch Story

References

1. ^ Ben Robinson (1987). Twelve Have Died. The History of the Bullet Catch.. Ray Goulet's Magic Art Book Co.. ASIN B00071NB3K. 
2. ^ Joshua Jay (2008). Magic: The Complete Course.. Workman Publishing. pp. 278. ASIN 9780761149873 0761149872, 9780761149873. 
3. ^ Columbia Encyclopedia. Columbia University Press. 2006. 
4. ^ Dorothy Dietrich First Lady of Magic. http://books.google.com/books?id=X-8DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT18&lpg=PT18&dq=%22dorothy+dietrich%22+%22weekly+world+news%22&source=bl&ots=C1DuyiDfis&sig=1csshg0ocu7tz8GMfIwSLN7xafU&hl=en&ei=_gjcTKj6KYL-8AaymvjlCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false. 
5. ^ Samantha Hart (2000). The Hollywood Walk of Fame. Crybaby Books and Entertainment. pp. 598, 599. ISBN 0-9665787-0-8. 
6. ^ ^{a b c d} Severn, William. Bill Severn's Guide to Magic as a Hobby. New York: David McKay Company. p. 96. ISBN 0-679-51201-2 and 0-679-51202-0. 
7. ^ Summer, Nicole (June/July 2008). Bust Magazine. New York: Laurie Henzel & Debbie Stoller. p. 076. 
8. ^ Zagofsky, Al (July 22, 2006). The First Lady of Magic. New York: Times News. p. 7. 
9. ^ ^{a b c} Zagofsky, Al (July 2, 2006=). The First Lady of Magic. New York: Times News. p. 7. 
10. ^ Severn, William. Bill Severn's Guide to Magic as a Hobby. Times News. p. 7. 
11. ^ Dorflinger, William. The Magic Catalogue. New York: E. P. Dutton. pp. 41, 227. ISBN 0-87690-272-7 and 0-87690-273-5. 
12. ^ Dorflinger, William. The Magic Catalogue. New York: E. P. Dutton. pp. 41, 227. ISBN 0-87690-272-7 and 0-87690-273-5. 
13. ^ Severn, William. Bill Severn's Guide to Magic as a Hobby. New York: David McKay Company. p. 98. ISBN 0-679-51201-2 and 0-679-51202-0. 
14. ^ "Magic Towne House". http://magictownehouse.com. http://MagicTowneHouse.com. 
15. ^ "Monday Night Magic Background". http://www.mondaynightmagic.com/aboutMNM1.html. http://www.mondaynightmagic.com/aboutMNM1.html. 
16. ^ Summer, Nicole (June/July 2008). Bust Magazine. New York: Laurie Henzel & Debbie Stoller. pp. 076. 
17. ^ "Dorothy Dietrich". All About Magic. http://www.all-about-magicians.com/dorothy.html. Retrieved 2009-09-12. 
18. ^ "Pioneer Magician Dorothy Dietrich of the Houdini Museum Changes Old Magic to New". Reuters (Press Release). 2008-09-30. http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS117568+30-Sep-2008+PRN20080930. Retrieved 2009-09-12. 
19. ^ "Bullet Catch". Genii Magazine. http://www.geniimagazine.com/wiki/index.php/Bullet_Catch. Retrieved 2009-09-12. 
20. ^ Interval, Tom. "Houdini Magic Hall of Fame Niagara Falls Canada". intervalmagic.com. http://www.intervalmagic.com/houdinimuseum.org/hall/. Retrieved 2008-11-20. 
21. ^ "Houdini Seance". http://paranormal.about.com/library/weekly/aa103000b.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-015. 
22. ^ "Houdini Seances". http://reference.findtarget.com/search/Harry%20Houdini. Retrieved 2008-11-015. 
23. ^ ^{a b} Wintermantel Durkin, Kristin (November 3, 2006). Attempt to reach legendary magician Harry Houdini filmed for TV Land Special. New York: Times Tribune. p. c 1. 
24. ^ "Houdini Museum – Quinlan's Inside Magic Review". http://www.insidemagic.com/magicnews/2006/07/06/houdini-museum-quinlans-inside-magic-review/. Retrieved Jul 6, 2006. 
25. ^ Wayne Kawamoto. "TV Medium Storms Out of Houdini Psychic http://magic.about.com/b/2008/09/10/tv-medium-storms-out-of-houdini-psychic-session.htm  Wayne Kawamoto Session". http://magic.about.com/b/2008/09/10/tv-medium-storms-out-of-houdini-psychic-session.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-015. 

Bibliography

• Twelve Have Died!, the story of the Bullet Catch
• The Guide to Magic As A Hobby by Bill Severn
• The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, Columbia University Press, (2006)
• Feature article on women in magic. Bust Magazine, May 2008

External links

• "Article on Dorothy Dietrich taping a segment for the Montel Williams Show on 4 Feb 1998". MagicTimes.com. http://www.magictimes.com/archives/1998/1998-02_02-08.htm. Retrieved 2007-03-12. 
• Dorothy Dietrich's web page
• The Houdini Museum

Persondata
Name	Dietrich, Dorothy
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1927
Place of birth	Erie, Pennsylvania
Date of death
Place of death