BLOOD WORK: HALLOWEEN HORROR DAYS ~ DAY 20: MAGIC (1978)

Ventriloquist dolls seem to have always possessed the power to thrill and terrify people since their inception (much like the horror film, yes?). The act of ventriloquism has horrific origins too, those employing the talent having once been called Necromancers. Charlatans more likely, people pretending to be psychics or mediums channeling the spirits of the dead to speak to their surviving loved ones. In reality they were throwing their voices, duping the unsuspecting patrons out of their hard earned money. Later this talent was applied to sideshow acts with a dummy. Needless to say, the illusion of a doll coming to life is a terrifying idea indeed.

There haven't been a whole lot of horror films based around Ventriloquism. Some of the classic horror films to tackle the subject are THE UNHOLY THREE (1925) starring the great Lon Chaney Sr., THE GREAT GABBO (1929) with Erich Von Stroheim as a man possessed by his ventriloquist doll, and an anthology horror film called DEAD OF NIGHT (1945). The next great horror film on the subject was the 1978 thriller MAGIC starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, and Burgess Meredith. Directed by Richard Attenborough (the man who played John Hammond in Jurassic Park!), the movie explores an aspect of ventriloquists that all have experienced to one degree or another: schizophrenia.

THE PLOT

Corky was always a shy person. Struggling to make it as a magician, Corky had the talent but lacked rapport with the audience, that was until finding the missing part of his act: Fats. A crude, rude ventriloquist doll, Fats possesses all the charisma Corky didn't and together the two of them began turning heads. Soon Corky and Fats are discovered by a talent scout and their fame soars. Then Corky is offered a television spot on a major network, all they require is that Corky undergo a physical examination. Corky refuses and flees to the countryside. His agent tracks him down and accidentally walks in on a peculiar sight, Corky and Fats having a heated conversation... by themselves. Corky's agent tells him he's going to get help. Then Fats tells Corky to kill his agent.

THE GOOD

The Filmmakers. Magic has one of the finest casts and crew of any horror film I've ever seen. Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, and Burgess Meredith all deliver Oscar worthy performances. Jerry Goldsmith contributes a truly unnerving score and Attenborough's direction is that of a serious drama rather than some fantastic exploitation film. The movie plays the subject matter realistically and completely straight. Then there are subtle glimpses here and there that maybe something more is happening, making the audience wonder if Fatz really is alive.

Horror Romance. Love is actually a key element in many horror films. A romance however is somewhat rare and not often embraced by the audiences. One of Magic's central plot points is the unrequited love between Corky and his high school crush Peggy. Ann-Margert and Anthony Hopkins have strange chemistry on screen, believable, but eerie at the same time. It's this romance that drives the plot up to the climax. But while Corky loves Peggy, Fats sees her as an obstacle to be overcome. But Fats is Corky, isn't he?

THE BAD

Riding the Line. This film at times can't decide what it wants to be. Ultimately the movie comes together very well as a serious drama, but there are little cues that either enhance the narrative or mislead the viewer depending on your disposition. There's a scene which leads one to believe there might be something supernatural involved but it is fleeting and never resolved. Then there is the switch of the narrative from the city to the country and a shift in tone as if watching two separate films. The story introduces a lot elements but doesn't fully commit to any. Even with what is revealed at the end to be afflicting Corky the filmmakers don't take it all the way. So what ends up happening is that the narrative is a little confused but the performances are what hold the movie up.

THE VERDICT

The unsettling horror of ventriloquist dummies is one full display exploring a real phenomenon afflicting ventriloquists. Fats is a frightening character and Anthony Hopkins delivers a brilliant performance as a man in the throes of madness. Jerry Goldsmith provides a haunting score. The horror romance lends the film a rare quality and a unique experience. The strength of the actors are what really gives this somewhat muddled film its weight. All in all, an Anthony Hopkins horror film about a ventriloquist dummy is nigh irresistible.

Overall Ranking: 5 out of 10

Good. Average.

Nude-O-Meter: 1 out of 10