Magic (1978) – Film Review

Magic is a psychological horror film starring Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margaret, and Burgess Meredith. It’s based on the novel of the same name, written by William Goldman.

Hopkins stars as Charles “Corky” Withers, a magician who initially struggles to connect with his audience. The film opens with Corky returning home after attending an amateur night at a local nightclub. His mentor, Merlin, who is sick, is keen to know how things went during Corky’s debut.

Corky tells him everything went okay but the old magician sees through the act and tells him not to bullshit him. Disappointed by the experience, Corky affirms he did everything right while on stage but nobody cared. Obviously on his last legs, Merlin tells Corky that, if he wants to be as good as the game, he will need to find himself some charm.

“How?” Corky asks.

“You’ll think of something,” the old man replies.

A year later, Corky has thought of something. He’s back at the nightclub where he originally bombed and the crowd loves him. He also has an agent with TV connections who has invited a producer to the show to try and sell him the act.

At first, the producer isn’t interested because he thinks it’s only a magic act. It’s not. Corky has worked hard over the last year and become a talented ventriloquist. Paired with Fats, his wise-cracking dummy, Corky looks set to hit the big time. The crowd loves the duo. So does the producer. However, when the TV companies insist Corky undergo a medical examination before offering him a contract, it throws a massive spanner in the works. Corky says he won’t have a medical as a matter of principle. His agent puts it down to nerves but before he can get to Corky’s hotel and talk to him, Corky has packed up his dummy and left.

Travelling by taxi, he begins by visiting the town where he grew up and, after a brief trip down memory lane, rents a cabin next to the lake. The cabins are owned by Peggy Ann Snow (Ann-Margaret). Corky has been in love with her since their schooldays and the feelings have never gone away. Initially, he thinks Peggy doesn’t remember him, while she believes he has forgotten her. However, they do remember each other and with Fats playing gooseberry, the truth soon comes out.

Romance blossoms quickly between the two but Peggy is married, while Corky has some issues he needs to deal with. Fat’s appears to be a little more than just a dummy. The arguments they have get pretty heated and Fats appears to be jealous of Peggy.

After finally tracking him down, Corky’s agent, Ben Greene, witnesses a particularly nasty argument and, showing almost father-like concern promises to get Corky some help. That’s when things get nasty. Egged on by Fats, Corky follows Ben into the woods and ends their business relationship for good. After that, things go down hill quickly.

Although the film dispenses with much of the backstory from the book and has a few minor differences here and there, the omissions and changes do not weaken the story. Magic is a good film that hooks you in early and keeps you wondering. Is Fats more than a dummy or is Corky a man who is losing his mind?

At times it seems to go one way, then the other, and the choice of music during some of the closeups of Fats makes the dummy seem very sinister.

I can’t fault Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of Corky. He does a good job of making him appear to be a very erratic and, at times, volatile individual. He also effectively demonstrates a softer and more vulnerable side.

Ann-Margaret is equally well cast as Peggy, the small-town girl trapped in a boring life and unsatisfying marriage.

As for Burgess Meredith, like many people, I always remember him as Rocky’s trainer, Mick, in the first two Rocky films. The character he plays in Magic is very different—a shrewd, well-connected, agent who drives around in a Rolls Royce and is used to having the best things in life. I loved him as Mick and liked him as Ben as well, or “Old Gangreen,” as Fats calls him.

As for Fats, it would be unfair to say he steals the show, but Hopkins does an excellent job of making him seem like a real person. Throughout the film, he’s one of the characters, not just a prop.

Tragic in many ways, and with some truly sad moments, Magic is a horror film that drags you in and is hard to forget. Although there are a few scenes where blood is shed, it never goes over the top. Some viewers may be forced to wince at times, but there should be no need for anyone to hide their eyes or reach for a barf bag.

Even though the film was released nearly 50 years ago, it never seems dated and most viewers should have no difficulty identifying with the main characters. If you are looking for a good horror film, this one is magic.