Harry Houdini: The great escape - Part 1

In the very last of our great history stories, we turn to Harry Houdini, one of the great magicians in history, and his time in Australia. His tale is told by Andrew McConville, from State Library Victoria. There are almost 280 stories in the In Black and White show, and they're all available for free in this podcast feed. As we say goodbye after five ears unearthing colourful stories from our past, we would like to sincerely thank our listeners for tuning in and sharing your ratings and reviews. Tune in to the final episode for some final thank you and a farewell message from the host, Jen Kelly. Like the show? Read more at heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the very last of our great history stories, we turn to Harry Houdini, one of the great magicians in history, and his time in Australia. His tale is told by Andrew McConville, from State Library Victoria. There are almost 280 stories in the In Black and White show, and they're all available for free in this podcast feed. As we say goodbye after five ears unearthing colourful stories from our past, we would like to sincerely thank our listeners for tuning in and sharing your ratings and reviews. Tune in to the final episode for some final thank yous and a farewell message from the host, Jen Kelly. Like the show? Read more at heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. George Melville was a daring highwayman who pulled off one of Australia's biggest heists. But when the law caught up with him, his fate was most gruesome indeed. Damien Beard from Pentridge Prison Tours joins the show with more. Warning: This series contains discussions of self harm. If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Love the show? Read more at heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. George Melville was a daring highwayman who pulled off one of Australia's biggest heists. But when the law caught up with him, his fate was most gruesome indeed. Damien Beard from Pentridge Prison Tours joins the show with more. Warning: This series contains discussions of self harm. If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Love the show? Read more at heraldsun.com.au/ibawSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Paris Olympics in the books, we tell the tale of Cecil Healy, a champion swimmer who innovated in the pool. But it's for an amazing act of sportsmanship that he should perhaps be best remembered. Military historian Mat McLachlan joins the show for part 2 of a bonus two-part series. Learn more about Mat's work at: https://battlefields.com.au/Like the show? Go to: heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Paris Olympics in the books, we tell the tale of Cecil Healy, a champion swimmer who innovated in the pool. But it's for an amazing act of sportsmanship that he should perhaps be best remembered. Military historian Mat McLachlan joins the show for part 1 of a bonus two-part series. Learn more about Mat's work at: https://battlefields.com.au/Like the show? Go to: heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To the outside world, Monte Punshon was utterly respectable. But her perfect 19th-century diction disguised her wild past as a bad girl who hung out at edgy Melbourne bars and secret drag parties and was monitored in the lead-up to WWII by security services who suspected her Japanese teacher was a spy. The ANU's Tessa Morris-Suzuki joins the show to talk about the woman dubbed "the world's oldest lesbian" after coming out at the age of 103. Get the book at: https://www.mup.com.au/books/a-secretive-century-paperback-softback Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rosaleen Norton was a bohemian artist and occultist who horrified Australian society in the 1950s. There were wild tales of devil worship, satanic rituals, blood sacrifices and sex orgies. But were they true? Author Peter Coleman is here to sort the fact from the fiction for us. Get Peter’s book at: https://affirmpress.com.au/browse/book/Peter-Coleman-Australia's-Most-Bizarre-Crimes-9781923046269Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harry Freame was raised in Japan under the ancient bushido code but wound up fighting for Australia. But was this Anzac hero betrayed by his nation? His story is told in a new book called The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli by Ryan Butta. Get Ryan’s book at: https://affirmpress.com.au/browse/book/Ryan-Butta-Bravest-Scout-at-Gallipoli-9781922992086 Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harry Freame was raised in Japan under the ancient bushido code but wound up fighting for Australia. But was this Anzac hero betrayed by his nation? His story is told in a new book called The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli by Ryan Butta. Get Ryan’s book at: https://affirmpress.com.au/browse/book/Ryan-Butta-Bravest-Scout-at-Gallipoli-9781922992086 Like the show? Go to heraldsun.com.au/ibaw for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.