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Harry Blackstone, Sr.

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Magician

The Resume

    (September 27, 1885-November 16, 1965)
    Born in Michigan
    Birth name was Harry Boughton
    Billed as 'The Great Blackstone'
    Inspiration for the radio serial 'Blackstone the Magic Detective' (1948-49)
    Father of Harry Blackstone, Jr.

Why he might be annoying:

    He originally billed himself as 'Fredrik the Great' after buying a batch of unclaimed playbills with that name.
    He changed his name to Blackstone because of anti-German sentiment during WWI.
    He lent his name to a number of ghostwritten books.
    He did not provide the voice for Harry Blackstone in the radio show; actor Ed Jerome did.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He started as a cabinet maker's assistant, developing woodworking skills that proved useful in developing equipment for his magic act.
    During a performance at the Lincoln Theater in Decatur, Illinois, he announced that his next stunt would require everyone to leave their seat and go outside; after the audience was in the street, they were told the theater was on fire (1942).
    He entertained the troops with the USO during WWII.
    On the 100th anniversary of his birth, his son donated his memorabilia -- including a 'floating' light bulb designed for him by Thomas Edison -- to the Smithsonian Institution.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 11 Votes: 27.27% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 23 Votes: 34.78% Annoying