Black Magic (1949)Hypnotist uses his powers for revenge against King Louis XV's court. Director:Gregory Ratoff |
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Black Magic (1949)Hypnotist uses his powers for revenge against King Louis XV's court. Director:Gregory Ratoff |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Orson Welles | ... |
Joseph Balsamo aka Count Cagliostro
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Nancy Guild | ... |
Marie Antoinette /
Lorenza
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| Akim Tamiroff | ... |
Gitano
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Frank Latimore | ... |
Gilbert de Rezel
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| Valentina Cortese | ... |
Zoraida
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Margot Grahame | ... | |
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Stephen Bekassy | ... |
Viscount de Montagne
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Berry Kroeger | ... | |
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Gregory Gaye | ... |
Chambord /
Monk
(as Gregory Gay)
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| Raymond Burr | ... | ||
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Charles Goldner | ... |
Dr. Franz Anton Mesmer
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Lee Kresel | ... |
King Louis XVI /
Innkeeper
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Robert Atkins | ... | |
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Nicholas Bruce | ... |
De Remy
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Franco Corsaro | ... |
Chico
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Giuseppe Balsamo detto Cagliostro, zingaro e mago, vuole vendicarsi del visconte di Montagne, che ha torturato, in passato, lui e la sua famiglia. Usando i suoi poteri ipnotici, Cagliostro spinge il visconte al suicidio. Dopo un matrimonio fallito (sua moglie ama Gilbert, un ufficiale della guardia della Regina) e dopo essere stato smascherato in pubblico dal dottor Mesmer, famoso ipnotista, viene ucciso in duello sui tetti dal capitano delle guardie. Written by rosebud6
Watching this very entertaining film for the first time today, I was curiously reminded of the screwball comedy "Start the Revolution Without Me" made twenty years later. I didn't even remember Welles participation in the film, which starred Gene Wilder and Donald Sutherland, but rather the Queen's annoyance toward her husband's obsession with clocks.
I had always wondered why Welles appeared in this zany farce directed by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin. Now I'm sure he had a hand in writing the script! The antics between Marie Antoinette and the King seem to be a continuation of ideas that began with "Black Magic".
This fine Alexander Dumas classic utilizes the same plot device from "The Man in the Iron Mask". In that one Louis the XIV has a twin while Marie Antoinette has one in "Black Magic". Not only does this movie deserve a DVD release, but would be a great one to see in a theater as well.