Teamson Kids Childrens Windsor Round at Amazon
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So here we go, the best 10 movies in regards to ‘magic’ of ‘all time’. That’s a tall order and will of course become a list that will be challenged by many. What I have tried to do is collate a list of movies that feature films which have magical themes or very apparent magical references in them. Of course the rash of Harry Potter films, the magnificent Lord of the Rings trilogy and even Star Wars could be included. However, from a desire to exaggerate the list of magician inspired or magically themed movies I have left these out as being ‘too obvious’. For reasons of brevity I have also not included wholly animated movies in this list, so the likes of Fantasia, Sword in the Stone and even The Illusionist (Sylvian Chomet’s 2010 film) are not considered. I’ve likewise ignored television series, such as The Magician (Bill Bixby trained by Mark Wilson), Jonathan Creek, the quirky 1970′s TV series Ace of Wands as well as specific Colombo, Midsummer Murders, One Foot in the Grave sequences that were based around magic and magicians. So this brings us to a quick round-up of a lot of of the best of the magician-in-the-movies films I am conscious of. Starting with those just outside the Top Ten – not because of any lack of quality, just because they are a little peripheral to the main list. Passport to Pimlico (1949) directed by Henry Cornelius and featuring outstanding performances from Stanley Holloway and Margaret Rutherford. This outstanding Ealing comedy holds a sequence on the tube train where magician of the day The Great Masoni, drops his case permitting his doves to escape adding to the surreal nature of the comic moment. Dead of Night (1945) directed by Alberto Cavancanti is a superb Ealing portmanteau horror movie which contained a series of stories regarding a dream told by a guest arriving at remote farmhouse. The film is said to have influenced cosmologists Hoyle, Gold and Bondi to develop the ‘steady state theory’. They were inspired by the circular nature of the films narrative. However the movie holds a story with regards to a ventriloquist and a less than charming dummy. Ventriloquism is related to the magical arts, consequently it is inclusion here. The story is the forerunner of one that is in truth in the list, Magic, starring Anthony Hopkins. Thirty Nine Steps (1939) directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The initial and perhaps greatest version of this film the climax of which is takes place as in a theatre where a ‘memory man’ is performing. The Memory Act may be considered as a subset of the magical art of Mentalism. The great magician Harry Lorraine is world famous not only for his ‘magic’ act but also for his contribution to the training and development of the humane memory. The Raven (1963) directed by Roger Corman sees the great Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff as medieval magicians involved a magical duel. This fun, camp and colourful movie loosely based on the Edgar Allen Poe poem The Raven, is not the greatest example of the Corman-Price collection, but is great fun. Night of the Demon (1957) Jaques Tourneur. This great movie is an adaptation of M R James’ story “Casting the Runes”. Starring Dana Andrews as a sceptical psychologist ‘cursed’ by the Faustian looking magician and ‘cult’ leader Julian Karswell (Nial MacGinnis). In one sequence Karswell dressed as Dr Bobo performs magic at a children’s party. The speech which then ensues amongst the psychologist and the magician holds within it a host of performance frames and ideas for budding bizarrists out there!. Tourneur apparently never wanted the audience to ‘see’ the demon. I galore ways I wish he had had his way. The film would be even creepier and scarier if the terror was left to the imagination – again bizarre magicians take note! The Magician (1958) directed by Ingmar Bergman. The only reason that film is outside the top ten is because of the possibleness of being considered as being ‘pretentious’ if it is placed where I think it belongs – in the top 5 at least! Max von Sydow plays a travelling magician and ‘magnetic-healer’ (harkening back to the days of Mesmer) caught up in a tale regarding prejudice, honesty, the class scheme and….. well the whole thing is multilayered. Sydow is brilliant, he seldom speaks, and Bergman’s visuals are great. The film has been called a ‘thinking mans horror movie/. It is creepy surreal and brilliantly acted and directed. The Great Buck Howard (2008) directed by Sean McGinly is built around John Malkovich’s reputation who is in turn based upon the mentalist Kreskin. Next (2007) directed by Lee Tamahori sees Nicholas Cage as a man who may see a few minutes into the future and disguises his gift by working as a lounge magician. Cage is seen as another kind of ‘magician’ in the fantasy movie The Sorcerers Apprentice (2010 directed by Jon Turtletaub) which makes direct references to the Disney Sorcerers Apprentice in Fantasia. Magic Man (2010) directed by Roscoe Lever stars Billy Zane who plays Darius, the Magic Man of the title. Billed as a thriller, this movie hasn’t received the best of reviews. As I’ve not seen it yet I can’t comment – but perhaps a future review of this list may see it included. So onto the Top Ten 10. Excelsior Prince of Magicians 1901 directed by Georges Melies. This pioneer of film making was a magician before turning his hand to cine-magic. He invented some short films of which this is only one, but a heap of of which featured movie versions of stage tricks that magicians would love to be competent to genuinely do. He was one of the initial film manufacturers to feature stop frame, time lapse and multiple exposures. He also hand painted numerous of the black and white films he shot. A true innovator. 9. The Grim Game 1919 directed by Irvin Wilat. Not the biggest of movies to watch, but from a magician’s point of view a must. It featured Harry Houdini in the title role showcasing his feats of escapology. Houdini, not only a great magician but a outstanding enterpriser embraced early cinema but to be rather honorable he made little lasting contribution to cinematic art. In some ways, perhaps, Melies earlier ‘trick photography’ lessened a great deal of of the dramatic affect Houdini’s live performances will have had. 8. Lord of Illusions (1995) directed by Clive Barker and based on his novel of the same name. This film is noteworthy for it is magical references. Not only does the ‘evil’ lead reputation Nix have supernatural powers, but his disciples have them. One of his disciples, Swann, after Nix’s early demise (prior to his later resurrection) uses his magical powers to become a ordinary illusionist. The staged magic sequences are well done, there is a cameo aspect by the outstanding Billy McCombe and the Magic Castle is represented as a place of secrets. The basic conception that ‘magic is a dangerous reality’ is a great theme for the Bizarre Magicians out there. 7. Cast a Deadly Spell (1991) directed by Martin Cambell, sees Detective, Harry Philip Lovecraft (played by Fred Ward) living in a 1940′s Los Angeles where magic is mutual place. He is recruited by a rich man to find a lost book – yeap, you’ve got it… The Necronomicon! It’s genuinely a Bogart-esque film-noire with a magical flavour, of course by definition then there are magicians. It’s witty, fun and full of Lovecraftian references. Unfortunately at the time of writing it, not similar to it is less sharp sequel (Witch Hunt) is not available for buy on DVD. Witch Hunt (1994) directed Paul Schrader. A sequel to Cast a Deadly Spell in which detective, H. Phillip Lovecraft played by Dennis Hopper combats the evils and corruption of a magic wielding senator. As a sequel not shoddy, but perchance not rather as fun as the basi movie. 6. The Great Kandinski (1995) directed by Terry Windsor. This ‘made for TV’ movie ought to be included in this list, not only for it is charm and humour, but for it is sensitivities. Richard Harris (whose work is admirable) plays a retired escapologist living in a nursing home. The story revolves around Kandiski’s desire to ‘chase one more secret’ and do one ‘final show’. The escape featured is Houdini’s Water Torture cell, which is a testament to the iconic nature of that one illusion. 5. Nightmare Alley (1947) directed by Edmund Goulding. An impressive movie and perhaps one of the all time greatest examples of film noire. Tyrone Power plays a ‘psychic con man’ Stanton Carlyle whose trail of deceit and self deceit take from rags to riches to rags. Of course the magicians out there will without delay see a link to a performer who used to go out underneath the name Rinaldo, but was better known in a professional manner and now to mentalists’ world wide as Stanton Carlisle. (1928 – 1990). Stanton insisted, in spite of a lot of good natured challenges, that that was his real name and was not influenced by the Goulding film. 4. House of Games (1978) directed by David Mamet. Ok not in truth a magic film, but features a performance of one of my all time magic heroes, Ricky Jay. Ricky is one of a group of con-men in this Hitchcockesque thriller. Mamet, as always does a great occupation in capturing mood and the movie explores humane motivatings and behaviours. Ricky Jay is of course no stranger to the big screen, with roles in the Bond Movie, Tomorrow Never Dies, Magnolia, Buck Howard, The Prestige and a lot of more. This, I believe nonetheless was his original effort onto the ‘big screen’ 3. Houdini (1953) directed by George Marshall with Tony Curtis in as Houdini. This movie does have a lot to answer for in that it brings about a great deal of of the longer lasting myths in regards to the life of the veritably ‘mythic’ Houdini. His death on stage as a result of performing the ‘water torture cell’ is not fact, but the movie surely hints at it. The ‘brush with death’ in a frozen river; the introductory performance of the ‘straight jacket’ at a Magicians Society dinner almost surely never happened – but the romance and innocence of the moment saves it. The magical consultant on this movie was Dunninger. I suppose it is worth mentioning in passing that in 1998 there was a TV movie when it comes to Houdini (directed by Pen Denshem) and an earlier undertake at a biopic remake in 1976 with Paul Michael Glaser in the title role (directed for television by Melvile Shavelson). The movie Death Defying Acts (2007) directed by Gillian Armstrong focuses on Houdini’s documented interest in mediums and psychics and he is actually the vehicle through which another story may be told. 2. Magic (1978) directed by Richard Attenborough and staring Anthony Hopkins. In the film Hopkins’ reputation starts out as a magician, but sees success as a ventriloquist. The movie charts the fall into insanity as the kinship Hopkins has with his dummy ‘Fats’. It’s a classic movie with a great deal of of the creepier overtones being softened by, what some assert to be, slower sequences of sentimentality. 1. The Illusionist (2006) directed by Neil Burger and staring Ed Norton. The pace and the feel of this film is wonderful. It is a love story with some great performances from a superb cast. The magical counsel came from Ricky Jay and Michael Webber. Norton as Eisenhiem is the idealisti stage magician. The cinematography is brilliant, the plot nicely involved and with, perchance a few surprises. 1. The Prestige (2006) directed by Christopher Nolan. Whilst The Illusionist is sumptuous and engaging and at it is core ‘hopeful’ and ‘romantic’, The Prestige is darker and deals with revenge, jealousy and competitiveness. Great performances from Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as the feuding magicians each with a ‘secret’ and a narrative that is non-linear make the film engaging and well worth the little venture you need to keep up with the tangled web of intrigue. The ‘prestige’, the finale of the film, holds revelations that may surprise. Intelligent scripting brings the aroused tension to life and the rich magical references (Chung Ling Soo, The Bullet Catch, The Water Torture) make this film a must for magicians. Ricky Jay appears as an conventional stage performer and Michael Caine is great as the illusion builder – though I would never ask him to build me a vanishing bird cage! I in truth can’t discerned these two films in terms of quality of acting, direction and story so they portion firstborn place billing with the less serious…. Magicians (2007) actually deserves a Gold Star in this list. Directed by Andrew O Connor and with script written in collaboration with David Britland, Andy Nyman and Anthony Owen and others this is a magical tour de force. Opting for a comic look at the world of the conjuror, Magicians, sees Mitchell and Webb rattle through a heap of great one-liners; remunerate homage to galore key magicians and have a real knock at a lot of of the oddness that is portion and parcel of the magic scene. The great Pat Page makes an appearance, and most of the magic ‘stalls’ at the magic convention hosting the contest at the centre of the films plot were provided by well known magic dealers. |
