Like many people out there, we’re fascinated by magic—the slight of hand that leaves us scratching our collective heads asking, “Uh, how did they do that?” This week, the Skirball Culture Center opened two fascinating exhibitions on prestidigitation: Houdini: Art and Magic and Masters of Illusion: Jewish Magicians of the Golden Age. more ›

What better way to celebrate Halloween than to talk about Harry Houdini, the greatest magician who ever lived. He died on Halloween in 1926 and on that day for 10 years thereafter, his wife tried to contact him by holding seances. He starred in a few early movies even -- mostly silent pics and serials. And he lived here for a time, though he was based mostly out of New York. more ›