Witch Hunt (1994)

In a twisted 1950's where everyone does magic, a private detective investigates a murder case without it.

Director:

Paul Schrader

Writer:

Joseph Dougherty

Stars:

Dennis Hopper, Penelope Ann Miller, Eric Bogosian

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dennis Hopper	...	H. Phillip Lovecraft
Penelope Ann Miller	...	Kim Hudson
Eric Bogosian	...	Sen. Larson Crockett
Sheryl Lee Ralph	...	Hypolyta Kropotkin
Julian Sands	...	Finn Macha
Valerie Mahaffey	...	Trudy
John Epperson	...	Vivian Dart (as Lypsinka)
Debi Mazar	...	The Manicurist
Alan Rosenberg	...	N.J. Gottlieb
Christopher John Fields	...	Lt. Morris Bradbury
John Durbin	...	Brackett
Gregory Bell	...	Shakespeare
Terry Camilleri	...	Minister
Christopher Darga	...	G-man #1 (as Chris Darga)
Stanley DeSantis	...	Sidney

Storyline

Detective Philip Lovecraft lives in Los Angeles in the 1950s when an ambitious Senator is holding hearings, on Magic. Magic is the new influence in Tinsel Town. Lovecraft is unique in that he is the only one who refuses to use magic in his work. Shortly after he is hired, he finds his client, Kim Hudson, accused of the murder of her husband, a film executive. Philip uses the tallents of a local witch, Kropotkin, to explain what is happening only to see her accused of the murder and sentenced to be burnt at the stake. Reminiscent of Roger Rabbit, without the toons.

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Plot Keywords:

h.p. lovecraft | breasts growing | murder | 1950s | private detective | 

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Taglines:

It's a new kind of evil, as old as time.

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Genres:

Crime | Fantasy | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some strong language and a scene of nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sheryl Lee Ralph replaces Arnetia Walker in the role of Hypolita in this movie. Both actresses have appeared in the Broadway musical "Dreamgirls".

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Goofs

The film is supposedly set in 1953 (although that's a little vague). Six minutes into the film, however, Dennis Hopper's character passes an appliance store selling TV's. Prominently featured is the Philco Holiday Predicta model which wasn't introduced until 1958, Other cultural anachronisms including some of the fashions were more indicative of the late '50's than 1953.

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Quotes

Senator Larson Crockett: If God doesn't strike down Hollywood, then he owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology!

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Connections

Follows Cast a Deadly Spell (1991)

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Soundtracks

I Put a Spell on You
Written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins (as Jalacy Hawkins)
Performed by Nina Simone

User Reviews

A Disappointment

Not nearly as good as its predecesoor. Fred Ward, Arnetia Walker, and Charles Halloran are sorely missed - couldn't the producers hire back any of them?? Only Julian Sands really brings much that is interesting and new to this new sequel. Dennis Hopper is badly miscast, and generally you wonder why they even bothered. It's enjoyable, but loses a point or two just by failing so badly compared to the original.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 December 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Boszorkányüldözés

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), Pacific Western

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1