The Mad Magician (1954)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

John Brahm

Writers:

Crane Wilbur (screenplay)
Crane Wilbur (story)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller | Mystery

Tagline:

3D THRILL! Fuel for the human bonfire!

Plot:

Don Gallico is a master at designing magical illusions which are sold by his employer, Mr. Ormond, to famous magicians such as Rinaldi...

Plot Keywords:

Mask | Disguise | Murder | Magic | Theremin

Cast

Vincent Price	...	Don Gallico / Gallico the Great
Mary Murphy	...	Karen Lee
Eva Gabor	...	Claire Ormond
John Emery	...	The Great Rinaldi
Donald Randolph	...	Ross Ormond
Lenita Lane	...	Alice Prentiss
Patrick O'Neal	...	Lt. Alan Bruce
Jay Novello	...	Frank Prentiss

Runtime:

72 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Argentina:13 | USA:Unrated

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The first movie to be broadcast on television in 3-D.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Don (Price) is knocked onto the belt leading to the crematorium his position changes.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Monsterama Sci-Fi Late Night Creature Feature Show Vol. 1 (1996) (V)

Melodrama and magic

This is essentially a variation on House Of Wax ,in both the plot and the type of role played by the star of both movies ,Vincent Price.In both pictures he plays a talented artist who is sent toppling over the edge into insanity when his creations are usurped by other,less talented and less scrupulous people .In this movie he plays a designer of illusions for stage magicians who aspires to set out on a performing career himself only to be frustrated when another illusionist ,the Great Rinaldo (John Emery)insists that he honour his contract and give him first choice of any illusions he designs.Price is already ill disposed towards Rinaldi as his former wife is now a paramour of Rinaldi. He deploys his talents as an illusionist and as a brilliant mimic to avenge himself upon Rinaldi and others who thwart his plans for recognition as a performer and a designer.

Price is pretty much the whole show here and gives a well judged star turn as a wronged man whose predicament earns audience sympathy.The rest of the cast are competent if colourless and the weight of the whole venture falls on Price who carries the burden with ease .

Good solid B Movie melodrama , this is a crime movie rather than a horror picture and is enjoyable providing you don't expect a masterpiece .Shot in black and white it is low on gore and is best seen as melodrama and enjoyed for the presence of its star giving an idiosyncratic performance