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Harry Bouton Blackstone Jr. (June 30, 1934 – May 14, 1997) was an American
stage magician Stage, stages, or staging may refer to: Arts and media Acting * Stage (theatre), a space for the performance of theatrical productions * Theatre, a branch of the performing arts, often referred to as "the stage" * ''The Stage'', a weekly Brit ...
, author, and
television Television (TV) is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. Additionally, the term can refer to a physical television set rather than the medium of transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, ...
performer. He is estimated to have pulled 80,000 rabbits from his sleeves and hats.


Early life

Blackstone was born in Three Rivers,
Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...
and was the son of noted
stage magician Stage, stages, or staging may refer to: Arts and media Acting * Stage (theatre), a space for the performance of theatrical productions * Theatre, a branch of the performing arts, often referred to as "the stage" * ''The Stage'', a weekly Brit ...
Harry Blackstone Sr. (also known as the Great Blackstone). As an infant, he was used as a prop in his father's act.


Career

In his performances, Blackstone used several of his father's tricks and illusions, including the "floating light bulb", "
sawing a woman in half Sawing a woman in half is a generic name for a number of stage magic tricks in which a person (traditionally a female assistant) is apparently cut or divided into two (or more) pieces. History There remains a debate about the origin of sawing ...
", and the "dancing handkerchief". His wife, Gay Blackstone, was his magician's assistant, keeping his performances running smoothly onstage and offstage. Blackstone created four levels (beginner to advanced) of magic kits that were the best selling in the field. In the early 1970s, he promoted a "PF Magic Wedge Kit" on a television commercial for
PF Flyers PF Flyers is an American brand of lifestyle shoes owned by Kassia Designs, LLC. Founded in 1937 by B.F. Goodrich, it is one of the original American sneaker brands. History In 1933, inventor Hyman L. Witman and rubber manufacturing company ...
sneakers, and he appeared on several commercials for
Jiffy Pop Jiffy Pop is a popcorn brand owned by Conagra Brands. The product consists of popcorn kernels, oil, and flavoring agents contained within a foil-covered, disposable aluminum pan. Once the paper outer covering is removed, the pan is held by an a ...
popcorn. In 1985, on the 100th anniversary of his father's birth, Blackstone donated to the
Smithsonian Institution The Smithsonian Institution ( ), or simply the Smithsonian, is a group of museums, Education center, education and Research institute, research centers, created by the Federal government of the United States, U.S. government "for the increase a ...
in Washington, D.C. the original floating light bulb – designed and built by
Thomas Edison Thomas Alva Edison (February11, 1847October18, 1931) was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices in fields such as electric power generation, mass communication, sound recording, and motion pictures. These inventions, ...
– and the original Casadega Cabinet, used in the "Dancing Handkerchief" illusion. This was the first donation accepted by the Smithsonian in the field of magic. Blackstone appeared as a guest on ''
The Tonight Show ''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show that has been broadcast on NBC since 1954. The program has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2 ...
'', ''
Donahue Donahue is the Americanized version of Irish surname Donohoe, which, in turn, is an Anglicized version of the ancient Irish name "Donnchadh" (sometimes "Donncha"). Donncha was a common “first name” in 9th century Ireland, and when the use o ...
'', ''
The Today Show ''Today'' (also called ''The Today Show'') is an American morning television show that airs weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on NBC. The program debuted on January 14, 1952. It was the first of its genre on American television ...
'', ''
Reading Rainbow ''Reading Rainbow'' is an American educational children's television series that originally aired on PBS and afterward PBS Kids from July 11, 1983 to November 10, 2006, with reruns continuing to air until August 28, 2009. 155 30-minute episodes ...
'' and '' The Super Mario Bros. Super Show'' and
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. He also made occasional appearances as the mysterious Dr. Mephisto on the TV soap opera '' Santa Barbara'' and as fictitious magician Marcus the Magnificent on
Hart to Hart ''Hart to Hart'' is an American mystery television series that premiered on August 25, 1979, on ABC. The show stars Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, respectively, a wealthy couple who lead a glamorous jetset ...
in 1981. Of his several TV specials, the
PBS The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and non-commercial, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly funded nonprofit organization and the most prominent provider of educat ...
two-hour special was unique due to the intros by some of
The Muppets The Muppets are an American ensemble cast of puppet characters known for an surreal humor, absurdist, slapstick, burlesque, and self-referential humor, self-referential style of Musical theatre, musical Variety show, variety-sketch comedy. Cre ...
. Blackstone's "Backstage with Blackstone" appearances on PBS's '' Square One TV'', where he used magic tricks to teach mathematics to young people, was one of his favorites. He was a regular host of '' ABC Weekend Specials'' in the 1980s. Blackstone designed the illusions used on
SeaWorld SeaWorld is an American theme park chain with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. It is a proprietor of marine mammal parks, oceanariums, animal theme parks, and rehabilitation centers owned by United Parks & Resorts. The parks host shows st ...
's water show featuring the
DC Comics DC Comics (originally DC Comics, Inc., and also known simply as DC) is an American comic book publisher owned by DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC is an initialism for "Detective Comics", an American comic book seri ...
superheroes. They included
The Joker The Joker is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, the character first appeared in the debut issue of the comic book ''Batman (comic book), Batman'' on ...
cutting
Batgirl Batgirl is the name of several fictional superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts and allies to the superhero Batman. The character Bette Kane, Betty Kane was introduced into publica ...
up into multiple pieces, a variation of a classic multi-box illusion, and the first use in many years of the Jarrett pedestal to vanish
Wonder Woman Wonder Woman is a superheroine who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in ''All Star Comics'' Introducing Wonder Woman, #8, published October 21, 1941, with her first feature in ''Sensation Comic ...
. Blackstone and his wife Gay created and produced the special effects for "
The Magic Summer Tour The Magic Summer Tour was the second major concert tour by American boy band New Kids on the Block. The tour supported their fourth studio album, ''Step by Step (New Kids on the Block album), Step by Step'' (1990) and their first compilation al ...
" for
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, as well as their "No More Games Tour". He also did special effects for
Alice Cooper Vincent Damon Furnier (born February 4, 1948), known by his stage name Alice Cooper, is an American rock singer and songwriter whose career spans sixty years. With a raspy voice and a stage show that features numerous props and stage illusion ...
,
Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Michael Jackson, one of the most culturally significan ...
("The Victory Tour"),
Earth, Wind and Fire Earth, Wind & Fire (abbreviated as EW&F or EWF) is an American band formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1969. Their music spans multiple genres, including jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin and Afro-pop. They are among the best-selling ba ...
, and
Jane's Addiction Jane's Addiction was an American Rock music, rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1985. The band's best known line-up consisted of lead vocalist Perry Farrell, bassist Eric Avery, drummer Stephen Perkins and guitarist Dave Navarro. Jane's Addicti ...
with
Perry Farrell Perry Farrell (born Peretz Bernstein; March 29, 1959) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician referred to as the " Godfather of Alternative Music". Farrell began his career with Psi Com in the early 1980s, before becoming the frontman ...
. During his career, Blackstone toured the U.S. extensively. Notably, his ''Blackstone! The Magnificent Musical Magic Show'' played in 156 U.S. cities and Broadway at the
Majestic Theatre Majestic Theatre or Majestic Theater may refer to: Australia * Majestic Theatre, Adelaide, former name of a theatre in King William Street, Adelaide, built 1916, now demolished *Majestic Theatre, Launceston, a former cinema in Tasmania designed by ...
from May 13 to August 17, 1980.
It played 118 performances. Blackstone received the
Academy of Magical Arts The Magic Castle is a performance venue, restaurant, and clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts for magicians and magic enthusiasts in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California, United States. The Academy was started in 1952 by W ...
Magician of the Year Award in 1979 and 1985.


Death and legacy

Blackstone lived in
Redlands, California Redlands ( ) is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 73,168, up from 68,747 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. The city is located a ...
. He died on May 14, 1997, in
Loma Linda, California Loma Linda ( Spanish for "Beautiful Hill") is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States, that was incorporated in 1970. The population was 24,791 at the 2020 census, up from 23,261 at the 2010 census. The central area of the ...
at the age of 62 due to
pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer arises when cell (biology), cells in the pancreas, a glandular organ behind the stomach, begin to multiply out of control and form a Neoplasm, mass. These cancerous cells have the malignant, ability to invade other parts of ...
. After his death, much of his performance equipment was sold off in two highly publicized auctions held by
Sotheby's Sotheby's ( ) is a British-founded multinational corporation with headquarters in New York City. It is one of the world's largest brokers of fine art, fine and decorative art, jewellery, and collectibles. It has 80 locations in 40 countries, an ...
and Darien Julian. Many of the pieces went to collectors scattered around the world, and numerous props have made it into actual shows. Las Vegas performer Scarlett now owns and uses his Topsy Turvy.
David Copperfield ''David Copperfield''Dickens invented over 14 variations of the title for this work; see is a novel by English author Charles Dickens, narrated by the eponymous David Copperfield, detailing his adventures in his journey from infancy to matur ...
houses the Tire Vanish (performed by Harry Blackstone Sr.) in his museum of magic. Touring illusionist Aaron Balcom uses the Owen-built Clown Jammer. Washington state performer John Walton uses his menacing Buzz Saw. Dutch
illusionist Magic, which encompasses the subgenres of close-up magic, parlor magic, and stage magic, among others, is a performing art in which audiences are entertained by tricks, effects, or illusions of seemingly impossible feats, using natural me ...
Hans Klok Johannes Franciscus Catharinus "Hans" Klok (born 22 February 1969) is a Dutch magician and illusionist. Biography Klok was born in Purmerend, North Holland. On his tenth birthday, he received a magic set as a present and began performing f ...
and Darren Romeo perform the famous "Blackstone Floating Light Bulb" illusion under a licensing agreement with Blackstone Magik Enterprises Inc. (It is one of only two magic illusions to be protected as intellectual property.) The Performing Arts Theater at
Redlands East Valley High School Redlands East Valley High School is a public education, public English language, English medium co-educational high school in Redlands, California, Redlands, California, United States, near the San Bernardino Mountains. The school opened in the 1 ...
is named in his honor. His third wife and widow, Gay Blackstone, is the former president of
The Magic Castle The Magic Castle is a performance venue, restaurant, and clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts for magicians and magic enthusiasts in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California, United States. The Academy was started in 1952 by W ...
in Hollywood. Their daughter Bellamie is a television producer; Harry and Gay's other children include son Harry Bouton Blackstone III. Gay Blackstone appeared in the season 10 episode 14 ''
Pawn Stars ''Pawn Stars'' is an American reality television series shown on History and produced by Leftfield Pictures. The series is filmed in Las Vegas, Nevada, where it chronicles the daily activities at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, a 24 ...
'' episode "Tricky Ricky", in 2014, and sold a vanishing birdcage prop used by both Harry Sr. and Harry Jr. to
Rick Harrison Richard Kevin Harrison (born March 22, 1965) is an American businessman, reality television personality, and owner of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop which is featured on the History series '' Pawn Stars''. Harrison and his father, Richard Benjami ...
for $2,600.


Books

* Blackstone, Harry Jr., and Charles Reynolds and Regina Reynolds. ''The Blackstone Book of Magic and Illusion'' (1995) 248 pages. . (New York: Newmarket Press, 2002). * Blackstone, Harry Jr. ''There's One Born Every Minute'' Los Angeles, Calif.: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc, 1976. Softcover. . * Blackstone, Harry Jr. ''My Life As A Magician'' Paperback (Aladdin: 1992-05-01) . * He also re-edited his father's ''Blackstone's Secrets of Magic''. Paperback


References


External links


Blackstone Magik, Inc., History of the Blackstones
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Blackstone, Harry Jr. 1934 births 1997 deaths American magicians People from Three Rivers, Michigan People from Loma Linda, California University of Southern California alumni Deaths from pancreatic cancer in California Academy of Magical Arts Magician of the Year winners Academy of Magical Arts Masters Fellowship winners Academy of Magical Arts Performing Fellowship winners