Dorothy Dietrich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dorothy Dietrich
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| Born | April 1, 1948 (age 77) Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Occupation | magician, illusionist, escapologist, stunt performer, actor, historian |
Dorothy Dietrich (born April 1, 1948) is an amazing American magician and escape artist. She is famous for performing daring acts like catching a real bullet in her mouth! She was also the first woman to escape from a straitjacket while hanging high in the air from a burning rope. Dorothy helped open doors for women in magic and escapes, becoming a leading figure in a field once mostly for men.
Many people call Dorothy Dietrich the "female Houdini" because she has done many of the same incredible escapes as the legendary magician Harry Houdini. She even performed the dangerous "Jinxed Bullet Catch" stunt, which Houdini himself decided not to do. The Columbia Encyclopedia listed her as one of the top magicians of the late 20th century.
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Becoming a Magician
Dorothy Dietrich grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania. As a child, she loved to play games where she would get tied up and then figure out how to escape! This reminded an aunt of Houdini, and when Dorothy learned about him, he became her hero. She started learning magic from books and practicing her skills.
When she was a teenager, Dorothy moved to New York to pursue her dream. She got her first jobs performing magic for parks and schools. She also learned from experienced magicians like Al Flosso (who taught her coin tricks) and Lou Lancaster (who taught her the Milk Can and Straitjacket escapes). Soon, she was performing in hotels and nightclubs, captivating audiences with her unique style.
Amazing Magic Tricks
Dorothy Dietrich created many exciting magic acts. She was known for her "flash act" with live animals like doves, rabbits, ducks, and poodles. She also performed tricks that few women had ever tried before. Imagine seeing her:
- Sawing men in half (a classic illusion, but she often reversed it!)
- Escaping from a straitjacket
- Making coins appear from thin air (called the "Miser's Dream")
- Making audience members float in the air (levitation)
Her goal was to show that women could be just as amazing as men in the world of magic. She broke down barriers and paved the way for other female magicians today.
Television Appearances
Dorothy became a popular guest on TV shows. Instead of being the one sawed in half, she often surprised audiences by sawing the male hosts of talk shows in half! She performed with famous entertainers like Bill Cosby, Loretta Lynn, and Jonathan Winters. Her performances on television helped her become even more well-known.
She also co-edited a magazine called Hocus Pocus Magazine, sharing her knowledge of magic and illusions.
The Dangerous Bullet Catch
One of Dorothy Dietrich's most famous and dangerous acts is the Bullet Catch. In 1988, she performed this stunt at Donald Trump's Resorts International in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was even shown on TV specials!
For this trick, a real .22 caliber bullet is fired from a gun, and Dorothy catches it in a small metal cup held in her mouth. To prove it's real, the bullets are bought by a committee, and an independent marksman fires them. One bullet is shot into a concrete wall, and the other is fired at Dorothy. She even offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who could prove the bullet didn't actually leave the gun! This incredible feat has been featured in major newspapers like The New York Times.
Honoring Houdini
Dorothy Dietrich is deeply connected to the legacy of Harry Houdini.
Houdini Museum and Exhibits
For many years, a large display about Dorothy Dietrich, calling her "The Female Houdini," was shown at the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Canada. Today, a similar display can be seen at the Houdini Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which Dorothy runs with fellow entertainer Dick Brooks.
Dorothy also sends out the world's only traveling Houdini exhibit. This special collection of Houdini items travels to different places, allowing more people to learn about the famous escape artist.
Houdini Seances
Every Halloween, Dorothy Dietrich continues a special tradition called the "Houdini seances." These events are held at The Houdini Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on the day Houdini died. The seances are a tribute to Houdini and a way to remember his amazing life. Houdini's own family members often attend these events, making them very special.
Protecting Houdini's Grave
Dorothy Dietrich has also worked hard to care for Houdini's grave site in New York. In 2011, a group she formed, called "The Houdini Commandos," secretly replaced a missing statue at Houdini's grave that had been gone for 36 years due to vandalism.
Dorothy and Dick Brooks's Houdini Museum has been asked by Houdini's family and the cemetery to help with the upkeep of the grave. In 2013, Dorothy convinced The Society of American Magicians, a very important magic organization, to help take care of the grave site. Because of their dedication, Dorothy and Dick received a special award in 2016 for their work in promoting the art of magic.
Finding Houdini's Lost Film
Dorothy Dietrich played a key role in finding and restoring Houdini's long-lost film, The Grim Game. She knew that the only copy of the film was with a collector in Brooklyn. After many years, she helped arrange for the film to be given to Turner Classic Movies, who then paid to have it professionally restored.
Dorothy and Dick Brooks were invited to Hollywood to introduce the restored film at a special festival. Dorothy even performed a straitjacket escape there, receiving a standing ovation! Thanks to their efforts, many more people can now see Houdini's best film.
Fighting Against Fake Psychics
Like Houdini, Dorothy Dietrich also works to expose people who pretend to have special powers, like talking to the dead. She believes it's important to protect people from being tricked or cheated. She even offers a $10,000 reward to anyone who can truly contact Houdini's spirit.
Podcasts
You can hear Dorothy Dietrich discuss her work and Houdini's legacy on several podcasts:
- "Open Sesame," where she and Dick Brookz talk about Harry Houdini.
- A podcast about finding and restoring Houdini's film, The Grim Game.
- A bonus podcast for the April 2016 SAM magazine cover story, where Dorothy talks about being the only woman magician to do the Bullet Catch.
Images for kids
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Dorothy Dietrich, a famous magician and escape artist.
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Dorothy Dietrich performing the sawing illusion with comedian Robert Klein.
