Harry Blackstone, Jr.

Harry Blackstone, Jr. (June 30 1934 – May 14 1997) was an American stage magician, author, and television performer.

He received the Magician of the Year Award in 1979 and 1985. He appeared as a guest on "The Tonight Show", "Donahue", "The Today Show", and "The Super Mario Bros. Super Show". His performances were also a regular feature in the "Square One Television" series on PBS.

Career and life

Blackstone was born in Three Rivers, Michigan, the son of noted stage magician Harry Blackstone, Sr., also known as "The Great Blackstone".

As an infant, he was used in his father's act. Rather than utilize the routines his father developed, Blackstone developed his own and modernized his performance, though onstage he would on occasion perform a sequence of his father's illusions in a period setting

He famously performed during the half-time show at the 1987 Orange Bowl, in which many parts of the act went horribly wrong. Four of the five tricks Blackstone performed failed due to missed cues and poorly designed props.Fact|date=February 2008

Blackstone lived in Redlands, California for many years. He died May 14 1997 in Loma Linda, California at the age of 62 due to complications arising from pancreatic cancer.

The Performing Arts Theater at Redlands East Valley High School is now named in his honor, and his widow, Gay Blackstone, is a former president of The Magic Castle in Hollywood.

In 1985, on the 100th anniversary of his father's birth, Harry Blackstone, Jr. donated to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. the original floating light bulb - Thomas Edison designed and built it - and the original Casadega Cabinet, used in the "Dancing Handkerchief" illusion. This was the first ever donation accepted by the Smithsonian in the field of magic. [ [http://www.amdest.com/stars/harryb.html Harry Blackstone Jr. donates Harry Blackstone Sr. illusions to Smithsonian.] ]

Harry Blackstone, Jr. created four magic kits, from beginner to advanced, which were the best selling of all time, and which have enthralled a new generation of illusionists. [ [http://www.houdini.org/blackstone.html Houdini.org on Blackstone, Jr.] ]

It has been written that: "Perhaps his proudest work on television was his recurring role on PBS's 'Square One TV,' where he used magic tricks to teach math to young people." [ [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=22505 Find a Grave, Harry Blackstone, Jr.] ]

After his passing, much of his performance equipment was sold off in a highly publicized internet auction. Many of the pieces went to collector's, scattered across the world and numerous of the props have made it into actual shows. Las Vegas performer, Scarlett now owns and uses his Topsy Turvy. Touring illusionist, Aaron Balcom now uses the Owen-built Clown Jammer. Washington state performer, John Walton uses his menacing Buzz Saw.

He coauthored three books, namely:
*Blackstone, Harry, Jr., and Charles Reynolds and Regina Reynolds. "The Blackstone Book of Magic and Illusion" (1995) 248 pages. ISBN 1557041776; ISBN 978-1557041777. (New York: Newmarket Press, 2002). ISBN 1557044929
*Blackstone, Harry, Jr. "There's One Born Every Minute" (Los Angeles, Ca, U. S. A.: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc, 1976. Softcover. ISBN 0874773296, ISBN 0874770564.
*Blackstone, Harry, Jr. "My Life As A Magician" Paperback (Aladdin: 1992-05-01) ISBN 067164436X ISBN 9780671644369.

He also re-edited his father's "Blackstone's Secrets of Magic". Paperback ISBN 087980260X ISBN 978-0879802608 [ [http://www.amdest.com/stars/harryb.html Harry Blackstone Jr. donates Harry Blackstone Sr. illusions to Smithsonian.] ]

ee also

*American Museum of Magic

References

* [http://www.amdest.com/stars/harryb.html Biography]

External links

* [http://blackstonemagic.com/id28.htm Blackstone Magik, Inc., History of the Blackstones.]
*
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=22505 Find a Grave, Harry Blackstone, Jr.]
* [http://www.magicwebchannel.com/hall_blackstoneJR.htm Magic Web Channel, Magicians' Hall of Fame, Harry Blackstone, Jr.]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fqq9YCM-ok&feature=related Youtube, Harry Blackstone Jr. performance.]