Harry Blackstone Jr.
Harry Blackstone Jr. | |
---|---|
Born | Harry Bouton Blackstone Jr. June 30, 1934 Three Rivers, Michigan, U.S. |
Died | May 14, 1997 Loma Linda, California, U.S. | (aged 62)
Occupation(s) | Magician, author, performer |
Spouse | Gay Blackstone |
Children | 4[1] |
Parent |
|
Harry Bouton Blackstone Jr. (June 30, 1934 – May 14, 1997) was an American stage magician, author, and television performer.[2] He is estimated to have pulled 80,000 rabbits from his sleeves and hats.[1]
Early life
Blackstone was born in
Career
In his performances, Blackstone used several of his father's tricks and illusions, including the "floating light bulb", "sawing a woman in half", and the "dancing handkerchief".[4]: 149 His wife, Gay Blackstone, was his magician's assistant, keeping his performances running smoothly onstage and offstage.[4]: 149
Blackstone created four levels (beginner to advanced) of magic kits that were the best selling in the field.[5] In the early 1970s, he promoted a "PF Magic Wedge Kit" on a television commercial for PF Flyers sneakers,[6] and he appeared on several commercials for Jiffy Pop popcorn.
In 1985, on the 100th anniversary of his father's birth, Blackstone donated to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. the original floating light bulb – designed and built by Thomas Edison – 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.[7]
Blackstone appeared as a guest on
Blackstone designed the illusions used on
Blackstone and his wife Gay created and produced the special effects for "
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 from May 13 to August 17, 1980.[8] It played 118 performances.[9]
Blackstone received the
He performed at the prestigious FBI National Academy Association retrainer session in Chicago in 1980 where he was the featured performer at the formal closing banquet.[citation needed]
At the time of his death, he was the most highly awarded magician of all time.[citation needed]
Death and legacy
Blackstone lived in Redlands, California.[10][11] He died on May 14, 1997, in Loma Linda, California at the age of 62 due to pancreatic cancer.[1]
After his death, much of his performance equipment was sold off in two highly publicized auctions held by
The Performing Arts Theater at Redlands East Valley High School is named in his honor.[13][14]
His third wife and widow,
Gay Blackstone appeared in the season 10 episode 14 Pawn Stars episode "Tricky Ricky," in 2014, and sold a vanishing birdcage prop used by both Harry Sr. and Harry Jr. to Rick Harrison for $2,600.
Books
- Blackstone, Harry Jr., and Charles Reynolds and Regina Reynolds. The Blackstone Book of Magic and Illusion (1995) 248 pages. ISBN 1557044929
- Blackstone, Harry Jr. There's One Born Every Minute Los Angeles, Calif.: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc, 1976. Softcover. ISBN 0874770564.
- Blackstone, Harry Jr. My Life As A Magician Paperback (Aladdin: 1992-05-01) ISBN 978-0671644369.
- He also re-edited his father's Blackstone's Secrets of Magic. Paperback ISBN 978-0879802608[7]
References
- ^ a b c d Bearak, Barry (May 16, 1997). "Harry Blackstone Jr., 62, Master of the Magic Arts, Dies". The New York Times.
- ^ "Biography". Archived from the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2006-09-09.
- ISBN 978-0671644369.
- ^ OCLC 26162991.
- ^ Houdini.org on Blackstone Jr.
- ^ PF FLYERS Harry Black Stone Jr Magician 1970 Tv Commercial, YouTube
- ^ a b "Harry Blackstone Jr. donates Harry Blackstone Sr. illusions to Smithsonian". Archived from the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2006-09-09.
- ^ "Blackstone! The Magnificent Musical Magic Show @ Majestic Theatre". May 13, 1980. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ^ "Contemporary Magic Posters". M-U-M. 92 (7). December 2002.
- ^ Eklund, Chris (October 30, 1978). "Harry Blackstone Jr. Is a Real Cut-Up, but Wife Gay Keeps Her (and His) Act Together". People. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ Burleigh, Nina (October 29, 1989). "Take A Card, Any Card ..." Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ Weatherford, Mike (December 13, 2007). "Award too late to help magician Hans Klok". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- ^ "Magic lives in Harry Blackstone Theatre". Yucaipa/Calimesa News Mirror. January 11, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ "Redlands: Teachers, classified workers honors". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside. May 22, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ "Magic World's Gay Blackstone to Be Recognized at Hollywood Chamber Community Foundation Event, May 15" (Press release). The Academy of Magical Arts. May 7, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2014 – via Business Wire.
- ^ "Bellamie Blackstone". IMDb.
External links
- Blackstone Magik, Inc., History of the Blackstones
- Harry Blackstone Jr, Magician, Educator, and Author at Find a Grave
- Harry Blackstone Jr. performance on YouTube