Cast a Deadly Spell (1991) (TV)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Martin Campbell

Writer (WGA):

Joseph Dougherty (written by)

Release Date:

7 September 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery

Plot:

In a fantastical 40's where magic is used by everyone, a hard-boiled detective investigates the theft of a mystical tome.

Plot Keywords:

Magic | Hard Boiled | Los Angeles | Necronomicon | Gremlin

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Fred Ward	...	Det. Harry Philip Lovecraft
David Warner	...	Amos Hackshaw
Julianne Moore	...	Connie Stone
Clancy Brown	...	Harry Bordon
Alexandra Powers	...	Olivia Hackshaw
Charles Hallahan	...	Det. Bradbury
Arnetia Walker	...	Hypolite Kropotkin
Raymond O'Connor	...	Tugwell
Peter Allas	...	Det. Otto Grimaldi
Lee Tergesen	...	Larry Willis / Lilly Sirwar
Ritch Brinkley	...	Owl Wagon Manager
Jaime Cardriche	...	Zombie
John De Bello	...	Coroner
David Downing	...	Thadius Pilgrim
Colin Drake	...	Butler Meadows

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Australia:PG | Norway:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Home Box Office (HBO)

Trivia:

Lovecraft is hired to recover the Necronimicon, a mystical book that appears in many of Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos stories.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The guide wire on the oatmeal demon is visible as it flies to attack the restaurant manager.

Quotes:

Hackshaw: You don't belive in magic?
Lovecraft: I believe it, just don't use it.
Hackshaw: Why?
Lovecraft: Personal reasons.
Hackshaw: And they are?
Lovecraft: Personal.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Gremlins (1984)

Soundtrack:

People Like Us

If Ever A Movie Could Be Called "Unique," This Is It!

I wonder why this isn't a movie that people know? After all, it is definitely unique and fun to watch, and how many films do you know that are a combination 1940s film noir and horror? Man, this is a real "curiosity piece."

It's Los Angeles and 1948 and everyone, except the hero (Fred Ward) is using magic, occult witchcraft-type stuff (which this reviewer hardly endorses). Ludicrous, yes, but fascinating and funny in parts.

Too bad this isn't out on DVD because the colors and atmosphere just ooze 1940s. It's also simply great entertainment. Juliane Moore looks gorgeous and Ward is likable in the lead role. He has the authentic look of a private eye, and I like the idea that he has more morals than all the other characters in the movie combined.

If any story can be called truly "unique," this is one of them.