Escape artist reenacts Houdini stunt at Hollywood's Magic Castle

An escape artist known as Houdini II performed a reenactment of Harry Houdini's famous straitjacket escape stunt at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, CBS News Los Angeles reported.

The stunt involved Houdini II being suspended about nine stories high from a crane, hanging by one foot while bound in a replica of Houdini's straitjacket. He successfully escaped and safely returned to the ground, drawing cheers from the audience.

This performance commemorated the 100th anniversary of Houdini's death on October 31, 1926. Houdini II noted this was the first one-legged escape of its kind, adding a new challenge to the original stunt Houdini performed in 1917 above Times Square in New York.

Rob Zabrecky, director of séances at the Magic Castle, announced a related event to raise Houdini's spirit would be held at the Magic Castle on Saturday. This tradition of Houdini séances has been practiced by magicians worldwide since the 1940s.

The Magic Castle event and the stunt highlight the ongoing local interest in Houdini's legacy and the art of escape, connecting Los Angeles audiences with a century-old magic tradition.