Black Magic (1949)

Hypnotist uses his powers for revenge against King Louis XV's court.

Director:

Gregory Ratoff

Writers:

Alexandre Dumas père (novel), Charles Bennett (adaptation),

Stars:

Orson Welles, Nancy Guild, Akim Tamiroff

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Orson Welles	...	Joseph Balsamo aka Count Cagliostro
Nancy Guild	...	Marie Antoinette / Lorenza
Akim Tamiroff	...	Gitano
Frank Latimore	...	Gilbert de Rezel
Valentina Cortese	...	Zoraida
Margot Grahame	...	Mme. du Barry
Stephen Bekassy	...	Viscount de Montagne
Berry Kroeger	...	Alexandre Dumas, Sr.
Gregory Gaye	...	Chambord / Monk (as Gregory Gay)
Raymond Burr	...	Alexandre Dumas, Jr.
Charles Goldner	...	Dr. Franz Anton Mesmer
Lee Kresel	...	King Louis XVI / Innkeeper
Robert Atkins	...	King Louis XV
Nicholas Bruce	...	De Remy
Franco Corsaro	...	Chico

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

hypnotism | gypsy | marie antoinette | revenge | novelist | 

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Taglines:

The biggest picture in ten years! The greatest cavalcade of intrigue, spectacle, adventure and excitement you'll ever see on the screen

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 August 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cagliostro

Filming Locations:

Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edward Small Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Initially, the film was to be directed in the USA by Douglas Sirk and was to star George Sanders.

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Goofs

In Balsamo's climactic escape attempt, Gitano passes him a pistol, seen very clearly as a small flintlock typical of the period. Balsamo then fires at least four shots from it without any time to reload. Repeating pistols not invented until the nineteenth century, and looked nothing like the gun used by Balsamo.

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Connections

Referenced in D.O.A. (1950)

User Reviews

One of Orson Welles best performances

I just watched the video of BLACK MAGIC again tonight and was once again impressed with it. Orson Welles turns in one of his finest performances. I was also impressed by the quality of the production considering it wasn't a Hollywood studio production (although it was released by United Artists). Elaborate costumes and sets and tons of extras. Interesting plot and photography. It has a nice film noir look to it. But the best part of BLACK MAGIC is Welles.