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Boston Blackie
Blackie

Real Name

Horatio Black

First Appearance

"The Price of Principle" in The American Magazine (July 1914)

Original Publisher

Frank Leslie

Created by

Jack Boyle

Origin[]

Boston Blackie, whose real name is Horatio Black, comes from a troubled past. He was once a professional safecracker and a skilled jewel thief, operating in the criminal underworld of Boston. After serving time in Folsom Prison in California, he reformed his ways and later became a private detective. He is assisted by his wife, Mary Dawson, who also served time and is the daughter of a professional crook named Dayton Tom. She was usually his get away driver.

Well educated, highly intelligent, daring and extraordinarily clever, Blackie is a man with a closely guarded moral code. Despite his outward charm and charisma, Blackie often grapples with his past mistakes and the consequences of his actions, constantly striving to atone for his sins and make amends. It is said that he would happily go to prison rather than violate his principles. It is said that he was an "Enemy to those who make him an enemy. Friend to those who have no friend."

Public Domain Appearances[]

Public domain Literary Appearances[]

  • The Price of Principle (1914)
  • The Story About Dad Morgan (1914)
  • Death Cell Visions (1914)
  • A Thief's Daughter (1914)
  • Boston Blackie's Mary (1917)
  • The Woman Called Rita (1917)
  • Fred the Count (1918)
  • Miss Doris, Safe-Cracker (1918)
  • Boston Blackie's Little Pal (1918)
  • Alibi Ann (1918)
  • Miss Doris's 'Raffles' (1918)
  • The Poppy Girl's Husband (1918)
  • A Problem in Grand Larceny (1918)
  • An Answer in Grand Larceny (1919)
  • The Third Degree (1919)
  • The Daughter of Mother McGinn (1919)
  • Alias Prince Charming (1919)
  • Black Dan (1919)
  • The Water-Cross (1919)
  • Grandad's Girl (1920)
  • The Face in the Fog (1920)
  • The Painted Child (1920)
  • Boomerang Bill (1920)

Public Domain Film Appearances[]

  • Boston Blackie's Little Pal (1918)
  • The Poppy Girl's Husband (1919)
  • The Silk Lined Burglar (1919)
  • Blackie's Redemption (1919)
  • Boomerang Bill (1922)
  • Missing Millions (1922)
  • The Face in the Fog (1922)
  • Lionel Barrymore (1923)
  • Crooked Alley (1923)
  • Through the Dark (1924)
  • The Return of Boston Blackie (1927)
  • Meet Boston Blackie (1941)

Public Domain TV Appearances[]

  • Boston Blackie (1951-1953 - 58 episodes)

See Also[]

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