A famed stage magician and illusionist of the 20th century. Born Harry Boughton, he began his career as a magician in his teens and was popular through World War II as a USO entertainer.
He often wore white tie and tails when performing, and he traveled with large illusions and a sizable cast. In spite of his large show "The Floating Light Bulb," was perhaps his signature piece.
In a darkened theatre, Blackstone would take a lighted bulb from a lamp and float it, still glowing, through a small hoop.
He would then come down from the stage and the lamp would float out over the heads of the audience.
His son Harry Blackstone, Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, and performed many of the routines that made Harry Sr. a legend. Blackstone Sr. spent the last years of his life performing at The Magic Castle.