The Magic Shop is a short story written by the famous British writer, H.G. Wells. However, it is not widely known that Alfred Hitchcock, the renowned filmmaker, also had a connection to this intriguing tale. In fact, Hitchcock adapted this story into an episode for his television series, Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The story revolves around a father and son who stumble upon a peculiar magic shop while out for a walk in London.
The story revolves around a father and son who stumble upon a peculiar magic shop while out for a walk in London. This magic shop, run by a man named Mr. Cave, is no ordinary establishment.
The Magic Shop by HG Wells
I discovered this TV adaptation by accident while looking for something else (more about the something else tomorrow). The Magic Shop is a 45-minute drama directed by Robert Stevens in 1964 for The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. Writer John Collier adapted a script by James Parish that’s loosely based on the short story by HG Wells. The story is one I know very well, having read it many times, but I hadn’t come across this TV version before. It’s a surprise finding it so close to Christmas since I first read the story in the only Christmas present that’s survived from childhood, a hefty collection of HG Wells’ short stories that I pestered my parents into buying me in 1973. I mostly wanted to read The Time Machine but the other stories seemed promising, especially the ones illustrated by Richard Gilbert on the (miraculously intact) dustjacket: The Sea Raiders (sailors attacked by octopuses), The Flowering of the Strange Orchid (man attacked by tentacular plant), The Valley of Spiders (attacking spiders falling from the sky), and so on. The book as a whole runs to over 1000 pages, and proved to be a revelation with Wells ranging through fantasy, science fiction, horror, and oddities which don’t fit any category other than Robert Aickman’s indispensable label, “strange stories”. The book made me a lifelong Wellsian, and also spoiled me a little when I moved on to more recent science fiction and found many of the alleged greats to be appalling writers. Wells’ prose can’t compete with Robert Louis Stevenson but it’s still well-crafted in that no-nonsense late Victorian manner familiar to readers of Arthur Conan Doyle.
Design and illustration by Richard Gilbert (1970).
The Magic Shop is one of the strange stories, the shop in question being a mysterious establishment somewhere in Regent Street, London, one of those premises one discovers by accident then can’t find again. The narrator is informed by the proprietor that this is a Genuine Magic Shop, as distinct from the kind selling mere conjuring tricks. The meaning of this isn’t clear at first but while the narrator’s young son is being beguiled by the marvels on display we follow his father’s growing alarm when he realises there’s more to the shop than he anticipated, not all of it pleasant or fun. The story was published in Twelve Stories and A Dream in 1903, and can be read here.
The TV version takes the bare bones of the tale—curious shop, indeterminate location, friendly yet sinister proprietor—and blends it with the nasty-child-with-magic-powers theme that was dramatised so memorably by The Twilight Zone in It’s A Good Life. The Hitchcock show was made three years after the Twilight Zone episode so it’s easy to see It’s A Good Life as an influence. Leslie Nielsen is the father who takes his son, Tony (John Megna), to the fateful shop on his birthday. The proprietor informs the pair that Tony is “the right boy” since he found the shop in the first place, the subtext being that he’s also possesses the right character to be the recipient of some heavy voodoo abilities. The boy’s bad seed status has been telegraphed from the outset by a birthday gift from an uncle of a black leather jacket; throughout the scene in the shop he looks like a miniature hoodlum. More American anxiety about its troublesome youth? Maybe, although the episode ends so poorly that the whole thing comes across as a lazy piece of filler. This is, of course, a long, long way from the Wells story which is all the more effective for being elusive, understated and, yes, magical.
It is a place that holds a mysterious and uncanny power. As the father and son explore the shop, they encounter a range of fantastical items such as magic bottles, magic toys, and even magic food. However, what truly captivates the son is the chance to meet a genuine witch. Mr. Cave agrees to summon such a witch, and the son eagerly awaits her arrival. When the witch eventually appears, she does not disappoint. She is an old woman with an air of knowledge and power. The son engages in a conversation with her, and she recounts her years of experience in the realm of magic. The son becomes increasingly intrigued by her stories and longs to possess her magical abilities. However, the witch warns the son about the dangers of magic - how it can consume a person's life and drive them to madness. Despite her warning, the son remains enthralled by the possibility of wielding such power. In the end, the son begs the witch to teach him the ways of magic. But as she begins to impart her knowledge, the son's father intervenes, realizing the potentially disastrous consequences of delving into the magical realm. Together, father and son flee the magic shop, leaving behind their desires for supernatural ability. Hitchcock's adaptation of this story captures the essence of the original work while adding his signature suspense and intrigue. The episode, titled "The Magic Shop," aired in 1985 and stands as a testament to his ability to captivate audiences with chilling tales. "The Magic Shop" explores themes of the allure and dangers of power, the mysteries of the unseen world, and the relationship between a parent and child. It reminds readers and viewers alike of the importance of groundedness and caution when faced with the tempting unknown. Overall, "The Magic Shop" stands as a fascinating tale by H.G. Wells and received a new lease of life through Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation. It continues to enchant and enthrall audiences, reminding us of the endless fascination with the supernatural and the complexities of the human psyche..
Reviews for "Unveiling the Hidden Meanings of Alfred Hitchcock's Magic Shop"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed by "The Magic Shop" by Alfred Hitchcock. The story felt disjointed and lacking in substance. The characters were not well-developed, and their actions and motivations seemed arbitrary. The plot was predictable and uninteresting. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious read, and I would not recommend it.
2. Mark - 1/5 - "The Magic Shop" was a complete waste of time. The writing was dull and the storytelling was incredibly slow-paced. The book lacked any sort of suspense or intrigue, and I found myself losing interest in the story very quickly. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable, making it difficult to empathize or connect with them. I struggled to finish the book and ultimately felt unfulfilled by the experience.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Magic Shop" by Alfred Hitchcock, as I am a fan of his films. However, I found the book to be quite disappointing. The story was poorly structured and lacked a cohesive narrative. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic. Additionally, the pacing was off, with some parts dragging on for too long while others were rushed. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and would not recommend this book to fellow fans of Hitchcock's work.
4. Mike - 2/5 - I found "The Magic Shop" by Alfred Hitchcock to be lackluster compared to his famous films. The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow along. The book seemed to jump from one unrelated event to another, leaving me feeling disoriented. The characters were poorly developed, making it hard to invest in their stories. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and would not consider it to be a strong addition to Hitchcock's works.
5. Jessica - 1/5 - "The Magic Shop" by Alfred Hitchcock was a major letdown. The story lacked a clear direction and the pacing was incredibly slow. It felt like I was reading a jumbled collection of random events rather than a cohesive narrative. The characters were forgettable and uninteresting, and their actions often seemed illogical. I struggled to finish this book and was left feeling unsatisfied by the lack of a compelling plot.