Review of Magic (1978) by Kenny N — 12 Oct 2016

Despite being a damn good horror tale, it's not often discussed among the genre's die hard fans. I wonder why because it's absolutely magnificent. Corky, as portrayed by a slovenly, (intentionally) badly wigged Anthony Hopkins, is a down on his luck magician who suddenly becomes an overnight sensation when he introduces Fats, the wisecracking dummy, into his act. The dynamic duo are about to become TV superstars...but Corky, overwhelmed by this newfound success, ducks an important meeting and heads to the rural woods of upstate New York where he grew up to reunite with Peggy, the beautiful gal he ached for all his childhood, but never got the chance to romance. But as he settles in for what's supposed to be a warm, nostalgic reunion, Fats begins talking to Corky...insulting him...berating him...encouraging him to do not very nice things...like murder!!!

Hopkins himself was about to head back to England after finding no long lasting success in the states before landing this role. It's what kept him here and would later allow him to become a true horror supervillain. Ann-Margret, who was always eager to break out of the "female Elvis" mold but was never able to during her teen idol days, delivers the goods as the unhappily married woman of Corky's dreams. And Burgess Meredith, who a year before had experienced great renewed stardom after an Academy Award-nominated performance in "Rocky," is fantastic as Corky's shrewd agent who suspects that there's more to Fats than meets the eye. Watch this whether you're a horror fan or not.