Jack Boyle's stories first appeared in the early 20th Century. "The Price of Principle" was a short story in the July 1914 issue of The American Magazine. Boyle's character also turned up in Cosmopolitan. In 1917, Redbook published the novelette "Boston Blackie’s Mary," and the magazine brought the character back with "The Heart of the Lily" (February, 1921). Boyle's stories were collected in the book Boston Blackie (1919),which was reprinted in 1979 by Gregg Press. Boyle died in 1928. [edit]Films The earliest film adaptations were silent, dating from 1918 to 1927. Columbia Pictures revived the property in 1941 with Meet Boston Blackie, a fast, 58-minute "B" feature starring Chester Morris. Although the running time was brief, Columbia gave the picture good production values and an imaginative director (Robert Florey). The film was successful, and a series followed.
Meet Boston Blackie

NR1h6.6

Watch Meet Boston Blackie

When a murder occurs on an ocean liner docked in New York, the trail leads to Coney Island and a spy ring.

Confessions of Boston Blackie

NR1h 5m6.5

Watch Confessions of Boston Blackie

Blackie is accused of murdering a man at an art auction, which leads to the uncovering of an art racket.

Alias Boston Blackie

NR1h 7m6.4

Watch Alias Boston Blackie

Blackie tracks down a wrongly convicted prisoner who escapes during a Christmas magic show.

Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood

NR1h 8m6.2

Watch Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood

Boston Blackie and his pal, The Runt, are ready to board a train for Florida when Blackie gets a telegram from his friend Arthur Manleder asking Blackie to go to Manleder's New York apartment, get $60,000 from a wall safe and fly to...

After Midnight with Boston Blackie

NR1h 5m6.4

Watch After Midnight with Boston Blackie

Blackie is arrested when retrieving stolen gems from a safety deposit box for a friend.

The Chance of a Lifetime

NR1h 5m6.1

Watch The Chance of a Lifetime

Sleuth Boston Blackie (Chester Morris) helps a wartime convict (Erik Rolf) who was framed for a murder while out on parole.

One Mysterious Night

NR1h 1m6.1

Watch One Mysterious Night

Blackie is enlisted by the police to help recover the Blue Star of the Nile diamond, stolen from a war relief exhibit.

Boston Blackie Booked on Suspicion

NR1h 6m6.4

Watch Boston Blackie Booked on Suspicion

Blackie is implicated in a murder when he accidently sells a phony Charles Dickens first edition at an auction.

Boston Blackie's Rendezvous

NR1h 4m6.3

Watch Boston Blackie's Rendezvous

Blackie helps the police rescue hostage from an escaped maniac on a killing spree.

A Close Call for Boston Blackie

NR1h6

Watch A Close Call for Boston Blackie

Sleuth Blackie is framed for murder but manages to catch the culprit.

The Phantom Thief

NR1h 5m6.4

Watch The Phantom Thief

Blackie tricks a blackmailer-murderer into a confession. Story involves sinister seances and ghostly apparitions.

Boston Blackie and the Law

NR1h 9m6.3

Watch Boston Blackie and the Law

Blackie performs in a magic show at a women's prison, which gives an inmate an opportunity to escape.

Trapped by Boston Blackie

NR1h 7m6.4

Watch Trapped by Boston Blackie

Blackie is the natural suspect when an expensive pearl necklace is stolen while he is supposed to be guarding it.

Boston Blackie's Chinese Venture

NR59m6.1

Watch Boston Blackie's Chinese Venture

Blackie is seen leaving a Chinese laundry where the proprietor has been murdered, and must track down the real killer in Chinatown.

Boston Blackie background