Do you remember the show In Search Of with Leonard Nimoy? When I was a little kid (5-8 years old) this show regularly freaked me out. I'm sure it also influenced my enjoyment of strange and unusual subjects.
While trying to explain this show to my wife I found this 1981 episode featuring Houdini! Possibly when I was 6, and this came on was the beginning of my obsession.
Enjoy!