Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)

In a small American town, a diabolical circus and its demonic proprietor prey on the townsfolk.

Director:

Jack Clayton

Writers:

Ray Bradbury (screenplay), Ray Bradbury (novel)

Stars:

Jason Robards, Jonathan Pryce, Diane Ladd

2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Robards	...	Charles Halloway
Jonathan Pryce	...	Mr. Dark
Diane Ladd	...	Mrs. Nightshade
Royal Dano	...	Tom Fury
Vidal Peterson	...	Will Halloway
Shawn Carson	...	Jim Nightshade
Mary Grace Canfield	...	Miss Foley
Richard Davalos	...	Mr. Crosetti
Jake Dengel	...	Mr. Tetley
Jack Dodson	...	Dr. Douglas
Bruce M. Fischer	...	Mr. Cooger
Ellen Geer	...	Mrs. Halloway
Pam Grier	...	Dust Witch
Brendan Klinger	...	Cooger as a Child
James Stacy	...	Ed, The Bartender

Storyline

In Green Town, Illinois, the twelve year-old boys Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade are neighbors and best friends. Will's father Charles Halloway is an old man and the local librarian while Jim and his mother wait for the return of the return of their father and husband that will never occur. The boys know everyone in town, including their school teacher Miss Foley that misses her beauty and youth; the lonely barber Mr. Crosetti that has no girlfriend or wife; the greedy owner of a cigar store Mr. Tetley that is obsessed with money; and the bartender Ed that has severed arm and leg and dreams on being a football hero. One day, Jim buys a lightning rod from the salesman Tom Fury that tells that a storm is coming. During the night, the boys overhear a mysterious train and they run through the woods to see the arrival but they do not see a living soul. However, they find the Mr. Dark's Pandemonium Carnival ready to be enjoyed and they snoop around. Soon they realize that frustrated and ...

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Plot Keywords:

horror for children | lightning rod | school teacher | reference to zane grey | full moon | 

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Taglines:

Don't whisper your dreams, someone may be listening. [UK]

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Genres:

Fantasy | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 April 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Böse kommt auf leisen Sohlen

Filming Locations:

Walt Disney's Golden Oak Ranch - 19802 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$19,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,423,555, 1 May 1983, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$8,400,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions, Bryna Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lee Dyer was the director for the extensive re-shoots and re-editing done after Jack Clayton was removed from the film.

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Goofs

Mr. Dark skips the number 41 during the library sequence.

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Quotes

Will Halloway: If you're a good person, then demons can't harm you, can they? Am I? Am I a good person?
Charles Halloway: Well, I wouldn't count on your mother's answer right now, but I think you are.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Devil Fish (1998)

User Reviews

Just a single scene makes it all worthwhile....

Yes, this was a big disappointment to many Bradbury fans, but it still has enough charm to make it a satisfactory cinematic experience. It is debatable whether or not one should read the book before seeing the movie. You will certainly have a better understanding of what is happening, but the terror conveyed in the book is not present in the movie.

EXCEPT...

There is the scene with Pryce and Robards in the town library. Even with the outdated FX, this scene is pure Bradbury...I could feel the tugging on my heart as Pryce's character ripped each page from the book. Truly a classic moment and not to be missed.

*** out of *****