magic

THE SYNOPSIS

Corky (Hopkins) is a struggling magician who finds that his hard luck turns around when he incorporates a puppet into his act for a bit of ventriloquism. Fats, the puppet voiced by Hopkins), is a wise-ass, but very popular with the crowds.

In no time, Corky’s act sells out every show at the local club and procures himself cunning, big-time agent Ben Greene (Meredith)--who has big plans for Corky and Fats. Primetime TV plans.

Some time later, a modicum of fame has befallen Corky and Fats, but unable to handle the stress, Corky takes off with puppet in tow and hides out in his hometown somewhere in the Catskills of New York. Oh, and by the way: Fats “talks” to Corky and advises him on matters...

Once there, her rents a room from Peggy Ann Snow (Margret), his childhood crush. Recognizing Corky, she becomes smitten with him. Against Fats’ advise, Corky begins an affair with her, even though she is married to Duke (Lauter)--her high school sweetheart, but now a drunk, mean spouse.

Ben Greene tracks Corky down and demands that he seek psychiatric help in dealing with his problems. Corky, listening to Fats, bludgeons the older man to death and throws him in a lake. Next to go is Duke, when he gets in the way of Corky and Peggy’s romance.

But Fats has more in mind. Is Peggy next? Of can Corky fight off Fats’ bloodlust?

THE CRITIQUE

I remember seeing the creepy, talking-puppet movie trailer for MAGIC on TV and then various snippets of the movie on late-night cable TV and was always interested in catching the whole movie. Task completed!

What is easily the horror movie precursor to such cinematic baubles as the Michael Redgrave (actor/father of Vanessa & Lynn) segment of 1945’s Dead Of Night, Child’s Play (and the 4 inferior Chucky sequels) and the B-movie Puppetmaster series--is in fact an intelligently-written, well-acted and elegantly-produced horror/thriller replete with a macabre coating.

Proving why he’s one of the great actors of our time, Anthony Hopkins gives a solid performance as the introverted psychopath. Sporting a Sam Neill/Final Conflict hairdo (though this movie is a good 3 years ahead of that one), bright blue peepers and the occasional high-pitched modulations of the late, great Dudley Moore, Hopkins makes Corky a sad, demented character.

(And if you don’t believe me about the Dudley Moore modulation, close your eyes and listen!)

Anyway, MAGIC’s supporting cast is also uniformly terrific. Swedish-born sex symbol (and damned fine actress) Ann-Margret carries herself nicely in a mostly-reactive role while the always-reliable, late character actor Burgess Meredith steals the show in-between his cantankerous roles in Rocky & Rocky II.

Oh yes: I have to mention the small-but-pivotal role that Ed Lauter plays--and he’s one of my favorite character actors from way-back-when (having starred in such classic movies as 1974’s The Longest Yard and Death Wish 3). It’s hard to play the drunken, mean husband and still come off as sympathetic--but good ol’ Ed does it!

Behind the camera is a roster of pedigreed talent--beginning first and foremost with the elegant direction by Sir Richard Attenborough (who went on to win a Best Director Oscar© for his very next picture, 1982’s Gandhi). Maintaining a steadfast pace and encouraging intricate camerawork, Sir Richard lets the horror build frame-by-frame. Very good work indeed.

Aiding him in his helming quest is the evocative and atmospheric lensing--courtesy of veteran cinematographer Victor J. Kemper, A.S.C. (Dog Day Afternoon/Xanadu/Pee Wee Herman’s Big Adventure). I did like the color scheme change as the picture progresses: kaleidoscopic at first...and then a drift towards muted colors and increasing shadows to exemplify Corky’s deteriorating state of mind and Fats’ growing control over him. Nicely done!

Perhaps most interesting is the script by William Goldman (Oscar©-winner for 1969’s Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid and 1977’s All The President’s Men), which is based on his novel of the same name. From what I understand, the novel’s plot was told through Fats’ point-of-view--whereas it is a straight narrative story in the movie version.

Either way, MAGIC is a well-written and rather intelligent horror movie. My only complaint is the silly ending.

Other tech credits are solid (editing, production design, etc.). Hopkins was trained for the role by famous ventriloquist Dennis Atwood (who appears extensively in a featurette on the movie’s DVD)--and it was time well-spent!

By the way: the movie takes place in the Catskills of New York, but was in actuality--shot in California. At least the Manhattan sequences were shot in the Big Apple! Y’all know I’m a stickler for geographically-correct location shooting!

THE BOTTOM LINE

An intelligent horror/thriller with a good cast, a creepy puppet and possessing a letdown ending (though probably merited). Not a great horror movie, but definitely the right kind they don’t make anymore. And besides any dummy knows that you shouldn’t play ventriloquist with a homicidal puppet!

CAST: Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith, Ed Lauter & David Ogden Stiers

CREDITS: Director: Richard Attenborough; Screenwriter: William Goldman; Producer Joseph E. Levine; Director Of Photography: Victor Kemper, A.S.C.; Production Designer: Terence Marsh; Editor: John Bloom; Costume Designer: Ruth Myers; Music: Jerry Goldsmith

AC/AL 1978 107m English
BN/V