Forty-five years ago, in 1980, Harry Blackstone, Jr. opened Blackstone!, his illusion show on Broadway at the Majestic Theater, the start of a 104-performance run (the longest-running strictly “magic show” on the Great White Way). Across the street was the St. James Theater, where Barnum, the popular musical, was drawing crowds. Blackstone offered a string of publicity appearances to call attention to his show. He paraded the Vanishing Elephant down 42nd Street and levitated a lady as he stood atop the Majestic marquee. One critic remarked, “There’s more Barnum in Blackstone! than there is in Barnum.” Harry was delighted with the compliment.
