Cast a Deadly Spell (1991)

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

Director:

Martin Campbell

Writer:

Joseph Dougherty

Stars:

Fred Ward, David Warner, Julianne Moore

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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. Morris 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	...	Crooner
David Downing	...	Thadius Pilgrim
Colin Drake	...	Butler Meadows

Storyline

In 1948 Los Angeles, everyone uses magic- everyone except hard-boiled private detective H. Phillip Lovecraft, who refuses for "personal reasons." Lovecraft is hired by a mysterious rich man to recover a stolen book, the Necronomicon. Investigating, he finds that the book holds the key to taking over the world by magical means, releasing the "Old Ones".

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Plot Keywords:

h.p. lovecraft | psychotronic film | magic | necronomicon | private detective | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Fred Ward and Julianne Moore later shared some significant scenes together in Short Cuts (1993).

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

Hypolite: If you were sensitive at all, the air would crackle in your ears like wax paper. Things are in flux. The auras are bad. Me, I'm going to Florida.

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Crazy Credits

Unicorn Wrangler: Hollywood Animals

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Connections

Spoofs The Dunwich Horror (1970)

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Soundtracks

People Like Us
Music by Curt Sobel
Words by Dennis Spiegel
Performed by Robert Jason

User Reviews

Blend of tension and humour

It is rare to find a film that can actually be funny and still mount very real tension (Ghostbusters and Galaxy Quest are two examples that have succeeded). This film does so in very good noir-ish style. Rife with inside jokes that should appeal to any fan of the hard-boiled detectives, horror movies, Lovecraft and film noir. Fred Ward and David Warner are perfectly suited in this film.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 September 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cast a Deadly Spell

Filming Locations:

Harbor Star Stage, San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), Pacific Western

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1