IMDb > Magic (1978)
Magic
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Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   2,698 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 29% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
William Goldman (novel)
William Goldman (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Magic on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
8 November 1978 (USA) more
Tagline:
A Terrifying Love Story. more
Plot:
A ventriloquist is at the mercy of his vicious dummy while he tries to renew a romance with his high school sweetheart. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations more
User Comments:
great overlooked horror-thriller more (74 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Anthony Hopkins ... Corky Withers / Voice of Fats

Ann-Margret ... Peggy Ann Snow
Burgess Meredith ... Ben Greene
Ed Lauter ... Duke
E.J. André ... Merlin
Jerry Houser ... Cab driver

David Ogden Stiers ... Todson
Lillian Randolph ... Sadie
Joe Lowry ... Club M.C.
Bob Hackman ... Father
Mary Munday ... Mother
Brad Beesley ... Young Corky
Scott Garrett ... Corky's brother
Beverly Sanders ... Laughing lady
I.W. Klein ... Maitre d'hotel
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Additional Details

Runtime:
107 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Singapore:M18 | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Sweden:15 | USA:TV-PG (cable rating) | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating) | UK:X (original rating) (1978) | USA:R

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The role of Corky was originally offered to Jack Nicholson, but upon hearing that he would have to wear a hairpiece to play the role, Nicholson turned it down. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Members of the crew are reflected in the cabin window when Corky gets his jacket before going out in the boat with Duke. more
Quotes:
Corky: [Ben Greene has asked Corky to go five minutes without using Fats to talk to prove his sanity. He has gone 2 minutes] I can't make it... more
Movie Connections:
References A Star Is Born (1937) more

FAQ

List: Ventriloquists who have disturbing relationships with their dummies
Is Fats alive, like Chucky?
Can I watch the trailer online?
more
21 out of 21 people found the following comment useful.
great overlooked horror-thriller, 1 June 2006
8/10
Author: TheatreX from Louisville, KY

Anthony Hopkins (with hair) plays Corky, an earnest but failed magician who spices up his act with a ventriloquist dummy called Fats, after which he rises to almost fame.....and when his manager asks that he have a medical exam before a big network TV thing he refuses on principle. He also takes Fats and disappears into upstate NY to a small run-down cabin on the property of a woman (Ann Margaret) who he had a crush on in high school. His manager (Burgess Meredith) manages to find him though, and walks in on him while he's providing good reason why he won't take a medical exam; Corky has blown his cork, and can't function without Fats. Of course, such a revelation can't get out to the world so the manager doesn't have any opportunity to tell anyone. Things are further complicated by the return of Ann Margaret's hubby (Ed Lauter) and of course at that point Corky and Fats are very busy. This is both creepy and sad, because Corky is a likable character despite the fact that he's obviously wacko, and he was so shy in high school that he never had a chance with Ann Margaret, and now he doesn't have a chance because of his condition. Fats is obviously a caricature of Corky himself, not to mention an extension of his personality, and not the good side. Fats is also rather creepy. This is a well done film and also somewhat forgotten when it comes to the "classics". The Dark Sky DVD is quite good and a big thanks to them for getting the rights to put this out. 8 out of 10.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Magic (1978)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Is 'Fats' anyone else's nightmare? verdi_requiem
Was there really a soul in Fats? psych_student
Original TV spot funnyguyla
Someone PLEASE clarify the ending line! JMijaForever
killer doll movies wb12
ending of Magic? katielongmcdowell
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