I think certain parts of this picture would look a lot different AFTER he got out of the cold water.

That water must have been around 45 degrees to 50 degrees at most. How he did he stunts is simply amazing!

I lived a few blocks from here for quite some time. This water would have been cold, and filthy.

Houdini was obviously ahead of the curve from a physical perspective, and extremely flexible. He would be something of a specimen even by today's standards. Trickery and conjuring were no doubt a part of his act, but brute strength certainly helped.

Not only well developed leg muscles, but you can see he also has a biceps vein going and good definition there. Not only fit, but very, very lean. Probably around 5 to 7 percent body fat, the level of a professional athlete. I wonder if the lack of body fat to insulate him worked against him in cold water? Might have meant he had to get back out very quickly to avoid hypothermia.

With thighs like that he looks like he could take the yellow jersey.
Dude was an in-shape performer for sure. Had to be for what he did for the public.

Houdini has the impressive thigh and leg muscles of a long distance runner or pro rugby player. Something I would not have expected from an illusionist who spent most of his time on stage.

As someone who lives near this spot, I can tell you that in April this water is cold. Maybe so cold that it explains why his foot appears to be levitating.

It's like the Kliban cartoon "Houdini escaping from New Jersey."

Since 1958, Harvard Bridge has been measured in Smoots. Oliver Smoot, an M.I.T. fraternity pledge, lay down repeatedly on bridge so that his fraternity brothers could use his height to measure its length.

Anyone have any clue what that suspiciously rectangular bulge under his suit on his hip is?