International escape artist Curtis Lovell II successfully escaped being buried alive in the City of Grand Terrace, California. Lovell has release the footage of the escape on Youtube. Lovell's feat echoed an escape by the great Harry Houdini. In 1926, Houdini was shackled and lowered into a grave. Dirt was poured onto him. When he escaped alive, he vowed never to attempt such a stunt again. He died on Halloween 1926, this time not returning from his grave.
More than 1500 people watched Lovell recreate the Houdini stunt. Lovell was cuffed and shackled by Deputy Vaca, then placed into a pine coffin with a plexiglass front. Some 200 pounds of dirt were shoveled onto Lovell's "grave." During the escape, audience members and city officials grew worried that Lovell might not be able to free himself. Said Acting City Manager Steve Berry, “I was worried; things took longer than I thought.”
Audience member Leticia Vinchuk, of Highland, California, said, "When his hand was digging dirt out, I was worried." "It was great, very interesting," said onlooker Janet Acevedo, of Grand Terrace. "I was sort of hoping he would get out." It took Lovell 16 minutes to free himself from his premature burial.
Lovell is planning his next stunt for 2009. He will be placed in a straitjacket -- and escape -- at least 194 times in a period of eight hours during a world record attempt. He is hoping for Cher to strap him in at least once.
Also, scheduled for 2009 is Lovell's Cube of Death, scheduled to appear on Masters of Illusion on MyNetwork-Tv, a weekly series beginning in January 2009.
To view a photo gallery and video of this stunt please visit www.CurtisLovell.com under the “past stunts” link.
More about Lovell:
Lovell cut Paris Hilton in half on the television show The Simple Life and explained how to escape from handcuffs on Spike TV’s Manswers. He has publicly challenged David Blaine and noted psychic John Edward to magic duels. Lovell also appeared on the USA network Road Characters, on which he presented his Cube of Death – an effect similar to the feat Houdini once performed.
Lovell appeared in the instructional DVD, POOF! You're a magician ~Learn magic with everyday objects, which can be found at major online retailers including Barnes & Nobles.com and POOFyoureamagician.com.
Lovell was raised in Columbus, Ohio, where he attended Columbus Public Schools and Columbus State Community College. He now resides in Los Angeles, California, living his childhood dream as an escape artist.
For interviews and photos: 877.224.9568.
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