Magic (1978)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Richard Attenborough

Writers:

William Goldman (novel)
William Goldman (screenplay)

Release Date:

8 November 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

A Terrifying Love Story.

Plot:

A ventriloquist is at the mercy of his vicious dummy while he tries to renew a romance with his high school sweetheart.

Plot Keywords:

Dummy | Ventriloquist | Magician | High School Sweethearts | Nbc

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Anthony Hopkins	...	Corky Withers / Voice of Fats
Ann-Margret	...	Peggy Ann Snow
Burgess Meredith	...	Ben Greene
Ed Lauter	...	Duke
E.J. André	...	Merlin
Jerry Houser	...	Cab driver
David Ogden Stiers	...	Todson
Lillian Randolph	...	Sadie
Joe Lowry	...	Club M.C.
Bob Hackman	...	Father
Mary Munday	...	Mother
Brad Beesley	...	Young Corky
Scott Garrett	...	Corky's brother
Beverly Sanders	...	Laughing lady
I.W. Klein	...	Maitre d'hotel

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Sweden:15 | USA:TV-PG (cable rating) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating) | UK:X (original rating) (1978) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Blue Lakes, California, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

After the success of A Bridge Too Far (1977), producer Joseph E. Levine wanted to work with writer William Goldman and director Richard Attenborough again and bought the rights to Goldman's book with the intention of having Attenborough direct it. Attenborough accepted the assignment because he could use it to finance the film he really wanted to make, Gandhi (1982).

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Members of the crew are reflected in the cabin window when Corky gets his jacket before going out in the boat with Duke.

Quotes:

Corky: "Take two, they're big." Do remember when you said that to me Ben?
Ben Greene: A pro never forgets his good lines, kid.

Movie Connections:

References All About Eve (1950)

Attenborough Directs A Creepy Psychological Thriller

Richard Attenbourough has directed an intriguing and creepy little psychological thriller about a schizophrenic ventriloquist who 'splits' his identity with his dummy. Attenbourough has given a lot of attention to the setting creating an atmospheric effect such as the silent gloomy lake (inhabited by snapping turtles) and Corky's lonely cabin. The cinematography, particularly the closeups, are very impressive. 'Magic' is a simple film and while many have assumed that it's a horror film where the dummy is expected to become some kind of horrific entity (as I thought), that is not the case. Anthony Hopkins gives a stunning performance as the complex, shy and lonely Corky who finally finds love and his manipulative dummy Fats. There are so many moments of his excellent acting. Some examples include the scene where Corky is subjected to 'stop being Fats' for 5 minutes, the boat sequence and Hopkins's scenes with Ann Margret. Though he is more recognized for his 'chilling' Hannibal Lector persona, 'Magic' definitely showcases one of his best performances. The sexy Ann Margret also does an excellent job as the love of Corky's life. She brings a lot of depth to Peggy and she shows more than expected. Burgess Meredith leaves a mark as Corky's concerned manager. Overall, it's nice to see a different kind of Attenborough film. One that is quite well made and very well acted.