The Inspiration Behind Blackstone The Magic Detective

Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1885 Harry Bouton who would later change his name to Blackstone was a disciple of the great Harry Kellar known as the Dean of Magic. With the advent of World War I Germanic sounding names were becoming increasingly unpopular so Harry Bouton and his brother Pete, who served as his engineer throughout his long career, changed their name to Blackstone and the rest was as they say history.

 <v:path o:connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" o:extrusionok="f">One of the most famous stories about Blackstone is the tale of the vanishing audience a trick that was performed in Decatur, Illinois in 1942. Blackstone announced to his audience that his next trick was so big they would have to go out in to the street to see it. The audience dutifully filed out of the theater and on reaching the street they saw what Blackstone already knew, namely that the theater was on fire. There is no doubt that Blackstone's unique way of evacuating a burning theater prevented panic and saved a lot of lives. 

During World War II Blackstone took his show to 165 military bases and became the magical Bob Hope of the USO (United Service Organizations)circuit. And when after 65 years on the road he decided to retire he only retired from the road continuing to appear on television programs such as Ernie Kovacs and the original Tonight Show with Steve Allen.

The Great Blackstone left this world on November 16th, 1965 but not without leaving a legacy behind in the form of his son Harry Blackstone Jr. that is the name most folks think of when they think of Blackstone The Magician.

Now how did all this become Blackstone The Magic Detective starring Ed Jerome and running on the Mutual Broadcasting Company Sunday afternoons from 2:45 to 3:00pm? I have no idea but somehow the wonderful world of radio managed to transform a stage magician in to a detective! 

Happy listening my friends,