Making It A Magical Monday

Celebrating Harry Houdini + Bob Mackie

HARRY HOUDINI + BOB MACKIE

For most, it’s just another Monday in March.

For others, it’s shaping up to be a Manic Monday.

But once I saw the list of people born on this day, including “The Handcuff King” Harry Houdini and “The Sultan Of Sequins” Bob Mackie, I decided to make it a
”Magical” Monday.

Given the state of the world, who couldn’t use some over-the-top magic to get the work week started?

Harry Houdini, born in 1874, remains one of the most legendary illusionists and escape artists in history. His ability to free himself from seemingly impossible restraints—whether handcuffs, straitjackets, or underwater chambers—was always a crowd-pleasing spectacle.

Houdini didn’t just defy physical constraints; he defied expectations, constantly reinventing himself and pushing the limits of what was possible in a “mere” magic show. His performances were masterclasses in showmanship, mystery, and an unwavering belief in his own abilities.

Then we have Bob Mackie, born in 1939, who has spent decades transforming fashion into fantasy. As a designer for legends like Cher, Diana Ross, and Carol Burnett, Mackie’s creations are nothing short of visual spectacle.

With sequins, feathers, and a deep understanding of how to make his clients shimmer and shine, Mackie’s work has turned ordinary red carpets into magical runways. His designs embody a different kind of escape—one that transports us into a world of extravagance and glamour.

While their talents were different, both Houdini and Mackie mastered the art of illusion. One manipulated perception through daring escapes, while the other used fabric, sparkle, and silhouette to transform the human form. Both understood that people crave the extraordinary, especially in times of uncertainty.

So, why not channel a little Houdini and Mackie energy today? Perhaps by breaking free from self-imposed limitations. Or by dressing with a little extra flair to add some sparkle to your day. Or maybe by just remembering that magic—whether in the form of daring feats or dazzling fashion—has the power to lift us up, even on a Monday.

Here’s to making it a magical Monday!
Clint 🌈✌️

ON THIS DAY = MARCH 24

BIRTHDAYS

• 1834 = William Morris = English textile designer, poet, and author

• 1874 = Harry Houdini = Hungarian-American magician and actor

• 1886 = Edward Weston = American photographer

• 1887 = Roscoe Arbuckle = American actor, director, and screenwriter

• 1901 = Ub Iwerks = American animator and Mickey Mouse cp-creator

• 1911 = Joseph Barbera = American animator and Hanna-Barbera co-founder

• 1919 = Lawrence Ferlinghetti = American poet, publisher, and City Lights Bookstore co-founder 🌈

• 1924 = Norman Fell = American actor

• 1930 = Steve McQueen = American actor and producer

• 1933 = Lee Mendelson = American tv producer

• 1935 = Mary Berry = English writer, chef, author, and tv presenter

• 1939 = Bob Mackie = American fashion designer and costumier 🌈

• 1942 = Margarethe Cammermeyer = Norwegian-American officer 🌈

• 1944 = R. Lee Ermey = American sergeant and actor

• 1945 = Curtis Hanson = American filmmaker

• 1951 = Tommy Hilfiger = American fashion designer

• 1953 = Louie Anderson = American actor and comedian

• 1954 = Donna Pescow = American actor and director

• 1960 = Annabella Sciorra = American actor

• 1960 = Nena = German singer-songwriter and actor

• 1962 = Star Jones = American lawyer, journalist, and talk show host

• 1970 = Lara Flynn Boyle = American actor

• 1971 = Tig Notaro = American comedian and actor 🌈

• 1973 = Jim Parsons = American actor and producer 🌈

• 1977 = Jessica Chastain = American actor

• 1979 = Lake Bell = American actor and filmmaker

• 1988 = Finn Jones = English actor

EVENTS

• 1603 = James VI of Scotland is proclaimed King James I of England and Ireland, upon the death of Elizabeth I.

• 1721 = Johann Sebastian Bach dedicated six concertos to Margrave Christian Ludwig of Brandenburg-Schwedt, now commonly called the Brandenburg Concertos, BWV 1046–1051.

• 1882 = Robert Koch announces the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis.

• 1939 = Wuthering Heights premieres in Hollywood.

• 1944 = In an event later dramatized in the movie The Great Escape, 76 Allied prisoners of war begin breaking out of the German camp Stalag Luft III.

• 1972 = The Godfather is released in theaters.

• 1986 = William Hurt wins the Oscar for Best Actor for his role as a gay prisoner in Kiss of the Spider Woman, the first time someone wins an Oscar for portraying a gay character.

HOLIDAYS + OBSERVANCES

• National Cheesesteak Day

• National Cocktail Day

• World Tuberculosis Day

PORTRAIT + QUOTE OF THE DAY

EDITH HEAD + BOB MACKIE

“The first person that looked glamorous to me was Carmen Miranda.
It was 1943 and I was four years old.”
Bob Mackie

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