Magic (1978)

Author: Old Mother Hubbard

“Magic” (1978)

Abracadabra, I sit on his knee
Presto chango, and now he is me
Hocus pocus, we take her to bed
Magic is fun, we’re dead

This is my favorite Anthony Hopkins film. Corky Withers (Hopkins) bombs big time at club with his magic act. His dying mentor Merlin explains to Corky that he needs to find some charm. A year later Corky is a big hit at the club after he brings his ventriloquist dummy “Fats” in to the act. Things start to happen fast when a big time agent named Ben Greene (Burgess Meredith) takes interest in Corky’s career. Just when it seems like things are coming up roses Corky suddenly refuses to take a required medical examination and disappears. He winds up in the Catskills at the home of a girl he was sweet on in high school named Peggy Ann Snow (Ann-Margret). Peggy’s husband Duke (Ed Lauter) isn’t keen on Corky hanging around. Things then start to get real weird and bloody.

If you haven’t seen this one you have to check it out for Anthony Hopkins absolutely unhinged performance as Corky. Hopkins did the voice for Fats the dummy and studied ventriloquism for the part. Ventriloquists have been known to schitz out and to have difficulty deciphering reality after long interactions with their dummies. There are 2 episodes of “The Twilight Zone” that touch on this subject – “The Dummy” and “Caesar and Me.”

Anywho, I’m giving “Magic” 5 stars for Hopkins performance alone. His unhinged breakdown in front of the mirror has to be seen to be believed.