Secrets of the Psychics

During the last fiftheen years, Massimo Polidoro has investigated dozens of cases of supposed paranormal events. His work follows two main lines. One is historical investigations that have helped bring new light on famous cases like: The Feilding Report on Eusapia Palladino; Franek Kluski's Spirit Moulds; Alla Vinogradova's PK demonstrations; Uri Geller's Watch Test...and many others. The results of this kind of work have been published in both The Skeptical Inquirer and the Journal of the Society for Psychical
Research.
The other one is the testing of psychics, often conducted along with his colleague Dr. Luigi Garlaschelli, at Pavia's University. Clairvoyants, mediums, human magnets, girls with X-ray eyes, table-tippers, prophets, healers and many other claimants have been tested under test conditions.
Although the results do not furnish proof of real paranormal activities, they tell a fascinating story about the will to believe. During the lecture, Massimo makes ample use of video material and, especially, live
demonstrations of psychic trickery.

Here the presentation of the 2001 "Skeptic Across America" tour.

The Great Houdini

George Bernard Shaw once said that the three most famous names in history were Jesus Christ, Sherlock Holmes and Harry Houdini. Authors like James Joyce, Arthur Conan Doyle, H.P. Lovecraft and E. L. Doctorow wrote about his exploits. And today, 77 years after his death, Houdini's name is still synonimous with magic and mystery: new books, plays and movies devoted to the great magician regularly appear on the scene.
Massimo Polidoro's lecture details Houdini's fabulous career and adventures, from the rough beginnings as Ehrich Weiss, the son of a Hungarian rabby, debuting in "dime museums" to the reach of global stardoom as Harry Houdini, the king of escapes and "the greatest necromancers of all times". Nothing could hold Houdini a prisoner, chains, handcuffs, ropes, straitjackets, packing boxes, jails… Houdini would always break free. His amazing performances astounded audiences all over the world, from the United States to Europe, from Russia to Australia. During his career Houdini met and had lively exchanges with the likes of Jack London, Theodore Roosevelt, Sarah Bernnhardt and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Besides from being a magician and the greatest escape artist that ever lived, Houdini was also a pioneer of aviation, a cinema producer, director and actor, a writer, a collector and a defender of truth.
The last few years of Houdini's life were, probably, the most fascinating: it was during this time, in fact, that Houdini became the greatest debunker of mediums and spirit-fakers. He started a veritable crusade against charlatans and it is during these years that his friendship with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the father of Sherlock Holmes, turned into the greatest battle of the century between a skeptic and a believer in Spiritualism.
Massimo Polidoro's lecture includes the projection of rare video clips showing Houdini in action and a live performance of some of his "magical" feats...