Hardeen – Escape Artist and Brother of Houdini

Everyone knows who Houdini was. But many people don’t know that there were two escape artists and magicians in Houdini’s family. His younger brother Theo Weiss, nicknamed “Dash” made a name for himself as Hardeen “The Monarch of Manacles”.

Theodore Hardeen was born on March 4th, 1876 (though he always claimed it was February 29th) in Budapest Hungary as Ferenc Dezső  Weisz (or Weiss). He was a couple of years younger than his brother Ehrich Weiss, who the world knows to this day as Harry Houdini. His family immigrated to America when both boys were young.

Houdini on left, Hardeen on right.  Photo image from "Wikimedia Commons"

In 1893 Dash was working with his brother, calling themselves “The Brothers Houdini”. It was about
this time that Houdini met and married his wife Bess and she became Houdini's partner in the act, replacing Dash.

Dash took the name Hardeen which he was then known by for the rest of his life. There were times in his life when he pursued other endeavors, but he spent most of his life as a magician and escape artist just like his more famous brother. He at one time even served as President of The Society of American Magicians.

In the magic community, Hardeen was probably better liked than Houdini, as he apparently did not have the ego or temperament of his older brother. After Houdini’s death in 1926, Hardeen took full advantage of his relationship to his more famous brother by billing himself as “Hardeen, Brother of and Successor to The World Famous Houdini”.

Hardeen had at least two throw-out cards that I am aware of, but I only have the one here in my collection. From my research, it looks like this was for an appearance at the Bradford Penthouse in Boston in 1937. I found an article in "The Billboard" for March 6, 1937, with a story about a difficult straitjacket escape challenge from a member of the audience during his time at the Penthouse.

Hardeen throw-out card for his appearance at The Bradford Penthouse

Hardeen was successful in the escape, "altho still a bit shaky" after walking offstage for a "brief rest". He commented, "I'm glad I got out of it. Ten years ago it would have been easy". His three week engagement at the Penthouse was continued for an additional three weeks.

When I was young my grandfather told me that he had seen Hardeen perform. This was sometime in the late 1920’s or early 1930’s.  Because of this I have always had an interest in his life and career. I am impressed that he was able to become famous in his own right in the world of magic considering the huge shadow of his brother that was cast over not only him, but every magician of that time.


Christmas Greetings from Hardeen and his wife Elsie.

Theodore Hardeen passed away on June 12, 1945 in New York City, and he was laid to rest in the family plot near his brother Houdini in Machpelah Cemetery in Queens, New York.

For those wishing to learn more about Hardeen and his life as a magician and escape artist, a new book has just been written by William V. Rauscher entitled “Hardeen Monarch of Manacles”. It is published by 1878 Press and can be found here, https://www.1878press.com/blank-u1eyv/hardeen-monarch-of-manacles.