Harry blackstone sr. biography
•
Henry Boughton (Harry Blackstone, Sr.) was born on September 27, 1885, in Chicago, Illinois. He began his career touring with his brother Pete in a vaudeville act, and made his first appearance as magician Harry Blackstone at the Grand Theater in Tiffin, Ohio. Known as a masterful showman, with a winning stage presence and a wonderful sense of humor, he charmed children and adults alike. His large-scale performances featured disappearing horses, levitating princesses and buzz-sawed assistants. His famed shoe of “1001 Wonders” was especially elaborate: It required a full-to-the-brim double-length railroad baggage car to travel around the country.
At Left: Harry Blackstone poses with one of his illusions, and his son, Harry, Jr. is in the monkey costume, working as part of the show.
top
Among Blackstoneâs best-known illusions are the Floating Light Bulb, the Zig-Zag and the Vanishing Birdcage. Heâs credited with extraordinary sleight-of-hand, too: In his
•
Harry Blackstone Sr.
American magician and illusionist
Harry Blackstone Sr. | |
|---|---|
Harry Blackstone on a 1944 postcard | |
| Born | Henry Boughton (1885-09-27)September 27, 1885 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | November 16, 1965(1965-11-16) (aged 80) Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Harry Bouton Harry Bouton Blackstone |
| Occupation | Magician |
| Children | Harry Blackstone Jr. |
Harry Bouton Blackstone (born Henry Boughton; September 27, 1885 – November 16, 1965) was a famed stage magician and illusionist of the 20th century. Blackstone was born Harry Bouton[1] in Chicago, Illinois.[2] He began his career as a magician in his teens and was popular through World War II as a USO entertainer.[3] He was often billed as The Great Blackstone. His son Harry Blackstone Jr. also became a famous magician. Blackstone Sr. was aided by his younger brother, Pete Bouton, who was the stage manager in all his shows.[4]
•
Harry Blackstone Sr.
In this week’s History of Magic feature, we take a look at Harry Blackstone Sr who became the most popular illusionist of the 1930’s and was a rival of Harry Houdini. Born in 1875 Blackstone received a magic trick for his 8th birthday that began his lifelong love of magic. He and brother Peter became cabinetmakers and together they put together an act on the vaudeville circuit building their own props. As a result of purchasing a deceased magicians full illusion show, enabled Blackstone to now incorporate these illusions in his scen show. He also became an accomplished sleight of hand performer. His brother was responsible for designing and building many more illusions for his brother. He also travelled with Blackstone Sr, as stage manager with his well-equipped, mobile workshop and a troupe of assistants.
Blackstone initially performed under the name of “Fredrik the Great” but with the advent of World War 1, the German name began to affect his popu