Harry Blackstone (September 27, 1885 – November 16, 1965) was born Henry Boughton and was raised in Chicago, Illinois. He began his career as a magician in his teens, and was popular through World War II as a USO entertainer. He was often billed as “The Great Blackstone”. His son Harry Blackstone, Jr. also became a magician.
He was elected to The Lambs in 1952 as a Professional member.
Blackstone was in the mode of courtly elegant predecessor magicians like Howard Thurston and Harry Kellar. He often wore white tie and tails when performing, and he traveled with large illusions and a sizable cast of uniformed male and female assistants. For a number of years he toured in the Midwest, often performing throughout the day in movie theaters between film showings.
Blackstone remained silent during much of his big stage show, which was presented to the accompaniment of a pit orchestra and such lively tunes of the time as “Who,” “I Know That You Know,” and “Chinatown.”