Cast a Deadly Spell (1991) (TV)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Martin Campbell

Writer (WGA):

Joseph Dougherty (written by)

Release Date:

7 September 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery

Plot:

In a fantastical 40's where magic is used by everyone, a hard-boiled detective investigates the theft of a mystical tome.

Plot Keywords:

Magic | Hard Boiled | Los Angeles | Necronomicon | Gremlin

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Fred Ward	...	Det. Harry Philip Lovecraft
David Warner	...	Amos Hackshaw
Julianne Moore	...	Connie Stone
Clancy Brown	...	Harry Bordon
Alexandra Powers	...	Olivia Hackshaw
Charles Hallahan	...	Det. Bradbury
Arnetia Walker	...	Hypolite Kropotkin
Raymond O'Connor	...	Tugwell
Peter Allas	...	Det. Otto Grimaldi
Lee Tergesen	...	Larry Willis / Lilly Sirwar
Ritch Brinkley	...	Owl Wagon Manager
Jaime Cardriche	...	Zombie
John De Bello	...	Coroner
David Downing	...	Thadius Pilgrim
Colin Drake	...	Butler Meadows

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Australia:PG | Norway:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Home Box Office (HBO)

Trivia:

Lovecraft is hired to recover the Necronimicon, a mystical book that appears in many of Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos stories.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The guide wire on the oatmeal demon is visible as it flies to attack the restaurant manager.

Quotes:

Hackshaw: You don't belive in magic?
Lovecraft: I believe it, just don't use it.
Hackshaw: Why?
Lovecraft: Personal reasons.
Hackshaw: And they are?
Lovecraft: Personal.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Gremlins (1984)

Soundtrack:

People Like Us

Film Noir meets Stephen King

Excellent blend of classic noir picture and supernatural tale. Story is interesting. It starts out as a Maltease Falcon kind of film, but it is clearly not the same 1940's Los Angeles that has been seen in many noir films before. Thats because everyone, except the main character) use magic. LA is awash with wizards, unicorns, zombies, and still the private investigator. The makeup and effects are wonderful. Actors are good, especially Ward and Moore.