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Magic (1978)

R  |   |  Horror  |  8 November 1978 (USA)
6.8
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Ratings: 6.8/10 from 5,889 users  
Reviews: 91 user | 76 critic

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

Writers:

(novel), (screenplay)
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Title: Magic (1978)

Magic (1978) on IMDb 6.8/10

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Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Corky Withers / Fats (voice)
...
Peggy Ann Snow
...
Ben Greene
...
Duke
E.J. André ...
...
Cab Driver
...
Todson
Lillian Randolph ...
Sadie
Joe Lowry ...
Club M.C.
Robert Hackman ...
Father (as Bob Hackman)
Mary Munday ...
Mother
Brad Beesley ...
Scott Garrett ...
Corky's Brother
Beverly Sanders ...
Laughing Lady
I.W. Klein ...
Maitre d'hotel
Edit

Storyline

Magician's assistant Corky performs disastrously at his first solo appearance. He is given a ventriloquist dummy called Fats to improve his act and within a few years Corky is at the height of fame. However, Fats has developed a mind of his own and wants to control his master. Written by Col Needham <col@imdb.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

A Terrifying Love Story. See more »

Genres:

Horror

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

8 November 1978 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Magia  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film has often been likened to the earlier British portmanteau horror movie Dead of Night (1945) which featured a tale with a ventriloquist and his dummy. Magic (1978) was actually released just around a year after that movie's television remake, Dead of Night (1977), but the tele-movie anthology didn't feature a segment with a dummy and ventriloquist. See more »

Goofs

Members of the crew are reflected in the cabin window when Corky gets his jacket before going out in the boat with Duke. See more »

Quotes

Fats: Hey, Corky? I'm feeling light-headed.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Credits: Fats Anthony Hopkins See more »

Connections

Featured in Magic: Fats & Friends (2006) See more »

Soundtracks

Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life
(uncredited)
Music by Victor Herbert
Lyrics by Rida Johnson Young
Portion sung by Anthony Hopkins
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
A forgotten classic
18 May 2003 | by (Greenville, NY) – See all my reviews

I have passed on this film several times in the past, and people told me it was better than I thought, so I gave it a try. I was amazed how great it was, Anthony Hopkins has never had a character with more energy, this was before he started playing rather boring characters. Although the film does have some plot holes, and there are some unintentional laughs(especially the death of Ben Greene, I couldnt keep a straight face), but Anthony Hopkins is so good he overpowers all of the weaknesses of the film. The film made over 40 million dollars at the time of release, and thats quite a lot for 1978, Im surprised the rating isnt higher, and that it doesnt have more votes. My rating: 7.5 out of 10.


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