Magic (1978)

MAGICA Terrifying Love StoryAcademy Award®-winner Anthony Hopkins (SILENCE OF THE LAMBS) is Corky a painfully shy failed magician who finds overnight success as a ventriloquist. His brash foul-mouthed dummy Fats becomes a huge nightclub hit. With his star on the rise talent agent Ben Greene (Burgess Meredith) arranges an important shot at national TV. But the pressure of failing the network s required physical sends Corky into a panic. With Fats in tow he flees the city to a nearly-deserted resort in the Catskills run by the love of his youth Peggy Ann Snow (Ann-Margret).Peg s spent years trapped in a loveless marriage with her high-school sweetheart Duke. In Corky she sees the chance for a loving relationship and accepts an offer to run away with him. After they make love Corky confides to Fats that he may leave show business altogether. Fats becomes furious and lashes out at him playing on his guilt and insecurity. Now under Fats control Corky is manipulated into a series of violent and unexpected confrontations.Based on the best selling novel by William Goldman and directed by Sir Richard Attenborough (A BRIDGE TOO FAR GANDHI) MAGIC s stellar performances and shocking conclusion make for gripping suspense from beginning to end.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: HORROR UPC: 030306769899 Manufacturer No: DVD7698 Product Description

Magic.......

The 1978 film Magic is one of Anthony Hopkins earlier movies and, after watching this, it is plain to see why he is the master of doing suspenseful psychological thrillers. Directed by Richard Attenborough, Magic starred Anthony Hopkins, Ann Margaret, Burgess Meredith and David Ogden Stiers. Written by William Goldman, it told the story of 'Corky' Withers who fails at his first attempt at professional magic. Coming back a year later with "Fats", Corky does well on the circuit. When his agent tries to sign him for his own TV show, when it is mentioned he has to take a physical- Corky quickly declines and bails out. Yet, the truth is, he doesn't want them to find out that he suffers from Multiple Personality Disorder and he hears "Fats" talking to him. Once in the catskills, he meets up with an old flame-Peggy Ann Snow(Ann Margaret) who is in a marriage on the rocks. They both start up a relationship, which leads to the both of them making love & sparks the jealousy of both Fats and Peggy's husband Duke. That's when the fur starts to fly and the story gets even deeper.

It's been said that, when the movie's trailer first aired, parents claimed that it gave their children nightmares. The trailer itself featured Fats reciting a poem(Abracadabra, I sit on his knee. Presto, change-o, and now he is me! Hocus Pocus, we take her to bed, Magic is fun...we're dead.") after which his eyes roll back in his head. It's followed by a cast reading, then Fats opens his eyes and gazes to his left.

Siskel and Ebert loved the film and placed it at #9 on their top 10 list of great movies for that year. I, personally, loved the movie myself when it first came out and I still watch it from time to time now.

If I had any gripes about the movie, it'd be that Corky and "Fats" die at the end. I know that it ties in with what takes place in the book but it would have been cool to see a second film based on the characters. Alas, it wasn't meant to be...which is a real bummer. At any rate, Magic is a great movie. Definitley on my top 10 favorites of all-time.

April 18, 2008

Creepy old Anthony Hopkins film

Magic stars Anthony Hopkins long before Silence of the Lambs. His character "Corky" is a magician who can't seem to catch a break. He decides to try his luck at using a ventriloquist doll during his act and he becomes a success. His ventriloquist partner "Fats" starts to take over Corky's thoughts and motives. The success that his act has brought him starts to push him further into insanity and he runs off to escape with Fats. It is at this point that Corky's weird life begins to fall apart. He finds his long lost love and her violent drunk husband when Fats decides to take over. I remember seeing this movie as a kid and it really scared me. Just the thought of a doll coming to life is a bit disturbing. Great movie! April 18, 2008

A ventriloquists nightmare

Magic is a timeless suspense film starring Anthony Hopkinks, Ann Margret, and the always entertaining Burgess Meredith(better known as Mic from Rocky.) The story follows an up and coming ventriloquist "Corky" and his dummy "fats" on their near rise to stardom. This is a very entertaining yet creepy film where the dummy is in control of the ventriloquist(very similar to a Twilight Zone episode.) Just watching as Corky can't go more then five minutes without speaking as fats is sheer genius. Great acting plus a very clever story make for a timeless movie, as is the case in "Magic". I definately recommend this classic if you need a change from the typical cookie cutter horror/suspense films out there now. February 16, 2008

Great oldie

I hadn't seen this film since the seventies. Hopkins was an anonymous actor in those days. Still he brings an enormous performance as the shizophrenic puppeteer, competing against his own puppet.
The play of the seventies is still enjoyable according to today's standards.
Great film ! January 25, 2008

Magic

Corky Withers is a young failed magician who makes a successful comeback as a ventriloquist. On the verge of stardom, Corky disappears for fear a deep dark secret will be revealed. Hiding in a small town, he finds comfort in the arms of a now married high school crush. As the shocking secret emerges and the truth is exposed, all hell breaks loose. This movie went bye almost unnoticed as it was released just weeks after director John Carpenter's famed and now classic horror, "Halloween." To its credit, "Magic" was directed by Oscar winning director, actor, producer Richard Attenborough. The movie is a slow mover but a chilling novel turned screenplay by William Goldman and brilliant performances by Sir Anthony Hopkins, the always beautiful Ann Margaret, and multi-talents of Burgess Meredith is the true "Magic" that makes this film work. Couch Potato Review 3 Potato 4.
December 31, 2007

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