But it must not be thought that I say this out of personal experience: for in the many years that I have been before the public my secret methods have been steadily shielded by the strict integrity of my assistants, most of whom have been with me for years.

None were able to do so and the prize was never collected. In 1918 he registered for selective service as Harry Handcuff Houdini. To this day the Society holds a broken wand ceremony at the grave site in November.

He first attracted notice as "Harry Handcuff Houdini" on a tour of Europe where he sensationally challenged different police forces to try to keep him locked up. Houdini made a number of movies but quit acting when it failed to bring in money. He was also a keen aviator and aimed to become the first man to fly a plane in Australia.