ˈɔːθɚz wˈɪljəm kˈælʌʃ ænd lˈæɹi slˈɑːmən spˈɛkjʊlˌeɪt ðæt bˈɛs haʊdˈiːnɪz ɪnˈɪʃəl səpˈoːɹt ʌv fˈoːɹdz klˈeɪmz wʌz dˈuː tə ðɪ ɪfˈɛkts ʌv ˈælkəhˌoʊlɪzəm, ænd ðæt ʃiː hæd ɹoʊmˈæntɪk fˈiːlɪŋz fɔːɹ fˈoːɹd.
Authors William Kalush and Larry Sloman speculate that Bess Houdini's initial support of Ford's claims was due to the effects of alcoholism, and that she had romantic feelings for Ford.