All these episodes have been digitally restored and remastered. Each episode has had the major clicks, pops, and distortions removed while preserving the vintage sound.
- Crime in the Stars
Astrology...hypnotism...and organized crime! The police suspect fortune-teller Madame Stella is behind a rash of robberies but can not prove it. Will Rhoda and Blackstone be able to foil her plans?
Afterwards, Blackstone teaches Rhoda, Alan and you how to summon your own Tapping Ghost. Originally broadcast 07/24/1949
- The Devil's Cauldron
While on a trip to "the islands" before the War, Blackstone helps a plantation owner who is having trouble with a local kahuna. To make matters even more interesting, this kahuna is a blond woman!
Once this adventure is over, Blackstone explains how to pick up seven matches with a single match. Originally broadcast 07/31/1949
- The Ghost in the Crypt
A haunted house is keeping a Blackstone's friend from inheriting the jewels left to him by his uncle. Can Blackstone, Alan, and Rhoda prove that his friend's aunt is the only spirit to be reckoned with?
Then Blackstone teaches a bit of simple "hypnotism" you can perform at home. Originally broadcast 08/07/1949
- The Accusing Corpse
Ms. Grant turns to Blackstone when no one else believes her aunt was murdered. Perhaps the most ghoulish Blackstone episode of all.
In a lighter vein, the Magic Detective teaches you the Riddle of the Three Jacks. Originally broadcast 08/14/1949
- Death Defying Death
Rhoda and Blackstone witness a tragic accident at the carnival when a diver is killed. However, his widow is convinced that it was no accident. Can Blackstone prove that he was murdered?
After the mystery, Blackstone explains how to stand a drinking glass on the edge of a simple dollar bill. Originally broadcast 08/21/1949
- The Criminal Who Caught Himself
A desperate Professor Jensen asks Blackstone to help him determine who is sabotaging his important research. Another mystery will be solved with magic!
Blackstone then teaches you a great old fashioned method for vanishing a dime. Originally broadcast 08/28/1949
Or buy all 56 episodes:
Blackstone Detective.
Listen along to the thrilling adventures of Blackstone, the Magic Detective. Each week he will solve a variety of mysteries with magic. Along with his main assistant, the beautiful Rhoda Brent (voiced by Fran Carlon) and their radio announcers Alan Kent and Don Hancock (or here and there John, played by Ted Osborne, who may be Rhoda's boyfriend) we get to hear thrilling inside stories about the mementos he has collected when solving fantastic crimes or the magic apparatus Blackstone has used to solve them. Then, Blackstone lets us in on the magic we can do at home and "reveal the guarded secrets of the world's greatest living magician!"
The truth is, of course, that they are all simple little tricks, sometimes little more than barbets. In fact, Blackstone is not even the real Blackstone but veteran radio actor Ed Jerome. Many episodes were written by Walter Gibson, though, with Nancy Webb penning the rest. These are great stories for magicians and anyone who appreciates the exciting, if sometimes a bit sensational, storytelling found in old time radio.
At one time, there were as many as 78 episodes. However, about two dozen have been lost over the years. This represents the most complete collection known to exist, minus the so-called Shark Island Story, which is sometimes represented as an episode from an unknown date. It is actually The Voodoo Treasure.
If you like these kinds of stories you might also be interested in The Blackstone Magic Comics which feature also Blackstone using his magic knowledge to defeat the thieves and other criminals.
