Harry Bouton Blackstone was an American stage magician, illusionist and businessman. He also served as a USO entertainer during the World War II.
Background
Harry Blackstone was born Henry Boughton on September 27, 1885, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, the son of Alfred Boughton and Barbara Degan. His father was a florist who had tried many jobs and was often away from his family for long periods.
Education
Blackstone saw his first magician, Harry Kellar, in 1897. The Great Kellar put him under a spell at McVicker's Theatre, and his life went in one direction after that, although Blackstone often told the story in different ways. He studied magic at the public library.
Career
The man who became the Great Blackstone began his many name changes by calling himself Harry Bouton. At first Blackstone took a job as assistant cabinetmaker and built trick boxes and instruments that were sold to magicians. In 1904 Blackstone began his career with his brother Peter. Their act was called "Harry Bouton & Co. , Straight and Crooked Magic. " Blackstone was the conjurer, and wore a white tie and tails. Peter Bouton dressed in a clown costume. The name of the act was later changed to "The Bouton Brothers. " After Blackstone was able to buy a huge supply of playbills printed for a magician named Fredrik, he toured as Fredrik the Great. But World War I made that name a box office liability and he chose the name Blackstone - according to one story, from the Chicago hotel.
Blackstone did many performances in vaudeville. His show had something for everyone. His wife did a musical number. There were flags and patriotic music and beautiful women (who would sometimes "be cut in half" with a buzz saw). There were animals (a donkey or elephant) that Blackstone made disappear in a puff of smoke. Blackstone was an expert at sleight of hand and card tricks. In the popular how-to books on magic that he wrote, he emphasized that anyone can learn some tricks. Blackstone did not need to cultivate the magician's mystique. His presence alone sufficed. The dancing handkerchief became one of Blackstone's most famous acts. He would borrow a handkerchief and give it life. The handkerchief would dance and talk: it had a personality of its own.
Blackstone's feats were generally illusions. He considered magic "the art of misdirecting thoughts. " The audience believed that they had seen things that actually had not happened. He could seem to make a light bulb float in the air. His shows had the quality of dreams. Blackstone was invited to perform at the White House for President Calvin Coolidge. He "stole" the president's pen and the wallet belonging to Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg. The president's Secret Service bodyguard did not notice this or the disappearance of his handgun. Out of the pocket of Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon, Blackstone pulled a rabbit. The president's laconic comment was, "This man's a magician. "
In 1926 Blackstone bought more than 200 acres in Colon, Michigan, and started a farm and a magic factory. On the farm he raised the animals for his show. The Blackstone Magic Company built equipment used by magicians. Blackstone was also an entrepreneur, selling animals raised on his farm to other magicians; and in addition to doing commercials for candy companies, he was often hired by manufacturers (particularly of business machines or other new products) to advise their salesmen.
During World War II, Blackstone worked with the USO and entertained at 165 military bases in the United States. After a severe attack of asthma in March 1945, his doctors urged him to be less active. Blackstone did the opposite. In 1946-1947 he did a nine-month transcontinental tour. Blackstone stopped giving stage shows in 1955, but still made television appearances. In 1960 he moved to Hollywood, where he often spent his evenings at a magicians' club called the Magic Castle. Blackstone was liked and admired by his colleagues, who considered him the greatest living magician. He died in Hollywood.
Achievements
Views
Quotations:
"If I was not born with a wand in my hand, I may have been clutching a tiny chisel. I was inclined toward woodworking at a very early age. "
Personality
Blackstone was an impressive figure with a large head and - in later years - a striking mane of white hair. He changed his name to 'Harry' as a tribute to Harry Kellar, a prominent illusionist of the period.
Quotes from others about the person
"The Blackstone show was different from any magic show I'd seen. He didn't act sinister or too mysterious. He had a warm personality, a sly chuckle, an impressive voice and, most of all, a great sense of fun. " - Sid Lorraine
Connections
Blackstone was married to Inez Kitchen. After a divorce from his first wife, Blackstone married Mildred Irene Phinney, who had worked in his show; they had one son. Blackstone's son, also a magician, continued his father's tradition of giving away a rabbit at each performance. Blackstone had been long divorced when he married his third wife, Elizabeth Ross, in November 1950.