The Chance of a Lifetime (1943)

Boston Blackie Collection

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.

1949 | Boston Blackie's Chinese Venture

1948 | Trapped by Boston Blackie

1946 | Boston Blackie and the Law

1946 | The Phantom Thief

1946 | A Close Call for Boston Blackie

1945 | Boston Blackie's Rendezvous

1945 | Boston Blackie Booked on Suspicion

1944 | One Mysterious Night

1943 | The Chance of a Lifetime

1943 | After Midnight with Boston Blackie

1942 | Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood

1942 | Alias Boston Blackie

1941 | Confessions of Boston Blackie

1941 | Meet Boston Blackie