The Mad Magician (1954)

A master magician murders his greedy employer, who legally owns every trick he can invent, and finds himself having to kill again.

Director:

John Brahm

Writers:

Crane Wilbur (screenplay), Crane Wilbur (story)

Stars:

Vincent Price, Mary Murphy, Eva Gabor

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Vincent Price	...	Don Gallico / Gallico the Great
Mary Murphy	...	Karen Lee
Eva Gabor	...	Claire Ormond
John Emery	...	The Great Rinaldi
Donald Randolph	...	Ross Ormond
Lenita Lane	...	Alice Prentiss
Patrick O'Neal	...	Lt. Alan Bruce
Jay Novello	...	Frank Prentiss

Storyline

Don Gallico is a master at designing magical illusions which are sold by his employer, Mr. Ormond, to famous magicians such as Rinaldi. He is also a master of disguise and realistic mask design. When Don embarks upon his own career as Gallico the Great, showcasing his own masterful illusions, his dreams are shattered by Ormond and he turns to murder to vent his frustrations.

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Plot Keywords:

mask | murder | disguise | magic | theremin | 

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Taglines:

SPINE CHILLING-THRILLS! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller | Mystery

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Máscara do Mágico

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

72 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first movie to be broadcast on television in 3-D.

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Goofs

When the mad magician is performing on stage and about to appear the girl from the table, you can see the magicians cape reflect in the mirrors that are hiding the girl around the legs of the table.

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Quotes

Alice Prentiss: Frank, I've got it!
Frank Prentiss: Your plot?
Alice Prentiss: No, what actually happened. Remember I told you how much Mr. Gallico reminded me of Ormond?
Frank Prentiss: Yes.
Alice Prentiss: Well there had to be a reason for that and I think I know what it is. They've never found a trace of Ormond! I don't believe that he was ever in this house! I believe it was Gallico who rented those rooms upstairs!
Frank Prentiss: Wearing grease paint make?
Alice Prentiss: Oh no Frank, no, you were right about that, it had to be more than a makeup, I think it was a mask!
Frank Prentiss: Alice!
Alice Prentiss: A face I mean! The ...

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Connections

Featured in 100 Years of Horror: Gory Gimmicks (1996)

User Reviews

Price's Best

Even though it has one of the standard "Revenge Price Plots," this film is my favorite of Vincent Price's work. Gallico has that quality that is missing in so many horror film characters- likeability. When you watch it, you feel for him, you feel his frustration, the injustices against him, and you cheer him on when he goes for vengeance, even though he frightens you a little with his original fury. As the film goes on, his character becomes tragic. He's committed his murder, but now he must kill to cover that up. And again to cover that one up. And again... your stomach sinks with his soul as it goes down its spiral- like watching a beloved brother turn into a hood. Even if the revenge story is of old, the plot devices themselves are original- Gallico uses his tricks to kill in more and more inventive ways. A shame this one isn't available for home veiwing.