Description

• Origin as a Gentleman Thief: In Jack Boyle's original short stories (starting in 1914), Boston Blackie was a jewel thief and safecracker. Boyle himself had a criminal past and wrote the first stories while incarcerated. Blackie was depicted as a "gentleman thief" with his own code of honor, sometimes willing to help out a friend and often exposing flaws in the justice system.
• Transformation into a Detective: As the character gained popularity, particularly in film, radio, and television adaptations, his role shifted. He became a private detective, described as "an enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friend." Despite his reformed status, he was almost always the primary suspect for Inspector Farraday, his police nemesis.
• Key Adaptations:
  • Silent Films: Boston Blackie appeared in numerous silent films from 1918 to 1927, played by various actors.
  • Columbia Pictures Film Series (1940s): This is perhaps his most famous incarnation. Chester Morris starred as Boston Blackie in 14 "B" movies for Columbia Pictures from 1941 to 1949. These films established the popular formula of Blackie, often assisted by his sidekick "The Runt," solving crimes while constantly being suspected by Inspector Farraday.
  • Radio Series: A popular radio series, also starring Chester Morris initially, aired on NBC in 1944. Later, Richard Kollmar took over the role.
  • Television Series (1950s): Boston Blackie also had a syndicated TV series starring Kent Taylor from 1951 to 1953, producing 58 episodes. Notably, 32 of these episodes were filmed in color, which was uncommon and expensive for TV at the time.