Performers from Magic 1978 included some of the most talented individuals in the world of magic. The event, held in Canada, showcased their skills and left the audience in awe. One of the **highlighted performers** was David Copperfield. Known for his innovative and mind-boggling tricks, Copperfield mesmerized the audience with his disappearing acts and illusions. His performance was the talk of the town and firmly established him as one of the greatest magicians of his time. Another standout performer was Lance Burton.
Ben (the agent) tracks Corky down and arrives at the resort in his Rolls Royce car. He detects his client has lost control, hearing Corky’s voice and his dummy’s voices shout and argue with each other. Ben insists that Corky returns to Manhattan to get support for his poor mental health, which has deteriorated.
Uncanny from the very start, wherein the misdirection is that it never is not what it is and what it is doing all along even as it encourages us to forget a little here a little there, puts off our attention so that maybe we don t notice the lengthening shadows until night has really fallen and we can t find our way back to a place that never really was and we knew that all along but we forgot just a little here or there or forgot to pay attention but that isn t true because we wanted to even though we knew better and what does that always get us in the end. With Richard Attenborough on directorial duties, writer William Goldman adapting his own novel, and a cast as stacked as this boasting the enormous skills of Hopkins, Burgess Meredith and Ann Margret , this film holds all the cards.
Another standout performer was Lance Burton. Burton's graceful and elegant style mixed with his incredible sleight of hand left the audience spellbound. His ability to make objects appear and disappear seamlessly was a testament to his skill and dedication to the craft.
Magic (1978) - Anthony Hopkins shines in this ventriloquist dummy horror, directed by Richard Attenborough
It’s a kind of magic… the kind where Sir Anthony Hopkins and his ventriloquist dummy are embroiled in a tale of love and death. 1978’s Magic is a must-see member of the scary dummy subgenre, which is no surprise given the talent involved. With Richard Attenborough on directorial duties, writer William Goldman adapting his own novel, and a cast as stacked as this (boasting the enormous skills of Hopkins, Burgess Meredith and Ann Margret), this film holds all the cards.
A shy introverted magician named Corky (played by Hopkins) is struggling with his very low level act. Poor performances bruise an already fractured sense of self-confidence. However, when Corky decides to spice up his tricks with the added help of a squeaky-voiced, foul-mouthed dummy named Fats, the nervous man finds himself hurtling towards stardom at a rate he is not at all comfortable with. His agent (Burgess Meredith) brings him the promise of a pilot special, but with that comes the threat of a routine medical exam. Corky fundamentally refuses the medical checks, on the basis of a vague ‘principle’, the cracks in his fragile demeanour bursting through. He goes off the grid to his hometown and decides to check in on his old crush (Ann Margret). Wouldn’t you know it, a romantic connection hovers between them, but the dummy doesn’t take too kindly to Corky’s new favourite person.
Attenborough and Goldman are experts at their craft and know how to bring a story to life. An early scene sees Corky relaying the events of his first solo performance to his dying mentor. He happily tells the old man how well it went; every move and trick delivered as intended, every reaction from the audience genuine and engaged. Frequent cutaways reveal the hollow truth however. Corky’s act was a bigger bomb than Hiroshima. Starting the movie in this fashion establishes the themes of truths and lies, what is real and what is not. A running question throughout the film is whether Fats is alive, or if Corky has just taken a terrible dive off the deep end of mental health. Many find the concept of strange dummies naturally scary, but the filmmakers do a sublime job of making Fats both an amusing entertainer and an uncanny source of unease. The sex scene is a memorable example; What begins as your standard orchestra-accompanied Hollywood-style love scene, suddenly takes a dark turn, with cuts to Fats in the next room seemingly stewing in aggressive envy, as the sweeping score is tainted with discordant instrumentation.
On top of this, the cast is as phenomenal as expected. Ann Margret absolutely sells the notion of a trapped housewife whose giddy side has just been waiting and waiting to break free, with childhood friend Corky sparking the fuse. Burgess Meredith is a joy to watch as the smooth confident show business agent. But what could be a role that remains as parody or stereotype (and was indeed fashioned off of Golden Age talent agent Swifty Lazar), is given an emotional underside as the character realises the extent of Corky’s troubles. Meredith takes it slowly and softly, as you scream at Corky to accept his help. And of course, Hopkins is sensational; there is no doubt that the man could be very unhinged, one minute enjoying a very believable chemistry with the love interest, the next revealing a terrifying withheld rage, one minute delivering some humorous monologues, the next slipping into a sad portrait of a soul that is beyond redemption.
There were many options floated about to play the lead, from De Niro to Gene Wilder. Of all the choices, Jack Nicholson is the most intriguing to me. Certain scenes echo the domestic threat of Jack Torrance, and there’s no denying that a dummy inspired by Nicholson would be even more disturbing, with the most arched wooden eyebrows you’ve ever witnessed. Anyway, he turned it down because he didn’t want to wear a hairpiece. However, I think casting Hopkins was ultimately ideal. He can deliver the menace, yes, but here he manages some boyish qualities that greatly serve the nature of the character.
Magic inevitably makes me recall the famous dummy segment from Dead of Night and makes me wonder if it was an inspiration for Goldman and friends. The wheel of inspiration is ever turning, as Magic has been cited as key reference for R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps, specifically the evil dummy Slappy, which became perhaps the series’ most recognisable monster.
Check the film out, but if you have any dummies lying around your house, maybe a good idea to lock them away first.
There were many options floated about to play the lead, from De Niro to Gene Wilder. Of all the choices, Jack Nicholson is the most intriguing to me. Certain scenes echo the domestic threat of Jack Torrance, and there’s no denying that a dummy inspired by Nicholson would be even more disturbing, with the most arched wooden eyebrows you’ve ever witnessed. Anyway, he turned it down because he didn’t want to wear a hairpiece. However, I think casting Hopkins was ultimately ideal. He can deliver the menace, yes, but here he manages some boyish qualities that greatly serve the nature of the character.
Paul Daniels, a popular British magician, also took the stage at Magic 1978. With his charming personality and quick wit, Daniels entertained the crowd with his unique tricks and humorous banter. His ability to engage the audience made his performance unforgettable. Other notable performers included Siegfried and Roy, who wowed the crowd with their captivating illusions and tiger magic. Their combination of showmanship and daring stunts made for a thrilling performance that left the audience on the edge of their seats. Overall, the performers from Magic 1978 showcased the immense talent and creativity that exists within the world of magic. Their abilities to create wonder and astonishment continue to inspire and captivate audiences to this day..
Reviews for "Forever Captivated: The Timeless Performers of Magic 1978"
1. John - 1 star
I attended the magic show "Performers from magic 1978" and was thoroughly disappointed. The performers seemed amateurish and lacked any real skill. The tricks they performed were predictable and lacked any wow factor. The overall atmosphere of the show was lackluster and left me feeling underwhelmed. I would not recommend this show to anyone looking for a quality magic performance.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Performers from magic 1978," but sadly, it fell short of my expectations. The performers seemed to lack stage presence and their interactions with the audience were awkward. The tricks they performed were basic and failed to impress. The show lacked excitement and failed to keep my attention throughout. I was left with a feeling of disappointment and wouldn't recommend this show to magic enthusiasts.
3. Robert - 2 stars
"Performers from magic 1978" was a subpar magic show experience. The performers lacked charisma and their tricks felt outdated. There was a lack of creativity and originality in their performances. The show failed to create a sense of wonder and left me feeling unimpressed. I would suggest looking for alternative magic shows with more skilled performers.