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:

murder | 1950s | private detective | h.p. lovecraft | shrinking | 

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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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 December 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Chasseur de sorcières

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

While making the circuit of talk shows to promote this movie, Dennis Hopper stated it was the strangest movie he had been in.

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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

Kim Hudson: What about our marriage?
Gottlieb: That wasn't a marriage, that was a license to shop.

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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

Witch Hunt & Cast a Deadly Spell .

I enjoyed these 2 movies on cable a decade or so ago and still think fondly of them, as they were good fun. I wish they would be released on DVD but doubt that will happen as only 1 of them seems to be available (on tape) as of now.

They were 2 in a pair made by HBO pictures if I remember rightly the first,"Cast a Deadly Spell" with Fred Ward in the lead role of "Private Detective Harry Philip Lovecraft" , and the second,"Witch Hunt" with Dennis Hopper playing the part Staged in the 1940's period ala "Sam Spade" and Joe McCarthy(The Commie crazy freak) in Hollywood where those who can use magic for their own benefit (read that as enriching their own careers and bank accounts) our hero is once bitten twice shy about using magic as it could backfire on the wielder as he learned earlier in time before these stories.

I enjoyed the assorted characters and situations and both actors played the part well though I must admit I've been fond of Fred Ward since the movie "Remo Williams" so I rather learn towards his portrayal of the role.