Article: HOUDINI'S JUMBO ILLUSION; Revealed after 75 years: how he made a five ton elephant simply 'disappear'.

Byline: DAVID LEAFE

THE theatregoers at the New York Hippodrome leaned forward excitedly in their seats as the legendary showman Harry Houdini strode onto the stage.

If the hullabaloo surrounding his appearance was to be believed, they were about to witness the biggest and most sensational magic trick the world had ever seen.

'Ladies and gentlemen,' Houdini barked across the footlights. 'Allow me to introduce Jennie, the world's only vanishing elephant.' The orchestra struck up a rousing march and Jennie, a full-grown elephant, lumbered on to the stage. Wearing a fetching baby-blue ribbon around her neck, she was led up a ramp and into a huge ...

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