I first saw this movie late at night on AMC (they made a mistake and accidentally showed a decent movie), October 2003. I wish I remembered the exact day, but perhaps I'm being too sentimental. I'd love to hear how the rest of you first came across this great film.
shareI first saw "Magic" in November, 1979 on HBO. The trailer absoutely terrified me to no end, but I just had to see the movie. I was almost eight years old then and had to gather up the strength to see the film. It's too bad that HBO or even Cinemax won't even show it anymore. I am glad that "Magic" will be coming out on DVD in a few days, I cannot wait! Also, to those of you who haven't seen the trailer or the movie, what are you waiting for? I highly recommend it! You won't be disappointed.
shareI first came across the film when I saw the trailer in 1978. I then saw an advertisement for the picture on NBC one night, when the network was going to show the film on their Friday or Sunday Night line-up.
I finally had a chance to view the film on The Movie Channel in 1983. It turns out that I caught the film during the "SPOLIERS ALERT" passionate, nude love scene between Sir Anthony Hopkins and Ann-Margret, followed by the afterglow. Later that day, I watched the entire film when it was repeated.
To this day, along with The Elephant Man and The Bounty, this is one of Sir Anthony Hopkins best films before really hitting it big as Hannibal Lector.
Movie theater...Union Ohio, 1978
shareThe Bounty is fantastic. TNT and TBS used to show Magic all the time in the early to mid 1990s before they started with the endless "Friends" and "Law and Order" reruns.
"Because I'm chaos, it is my destiny to destroy" -- Jeff Goldblum as "Mr. Frost."
I was 4 back in 1986 watching it with my family in the living room on HBO or video! this movie scared me crapless at that age along with another evil ventriloquist dummy flick called "Making Contact" (a.k.a. Joey) and both were the cause of my fear of ventriloquist dummies especially my brother's Mortimer Snerd dummy but when i was 11 i conquered my fear of them and learned to like them even if it's evil dummies, i saw this again on AMC back 2004 and i taped it, it was such a great movie even though the dummy gives me the creeps still and is one of my favorite horror movies!
I'm glad they released this underrated gem on DVD and i bought it today, now i'm a proud owner.
"This town needs an enienma"-The Joker, Batman (1989).
When I was really young, about 8 or 9, I was into magic and my parents took me to a magic show at O'Shea's Hilton here in Vegas. There was a walk-through display of famous people in magic history. I got to one part where there was just the poster for the movie on a wall. From there I went on a search for the movie and finally found it at a local Blockbuster (back when they used to carry actual movies because they bought out all of the older mom and pop stores in town). I watched it and loved it. Now that it's out on DVD, I can't seem to find the DVD because shipping companies always mess up shipments to Vegas, so I'll probably have to wait or special order it! I want it today!!!
shareDude, I LOVE Mr Frost! I have a VHS of the US cut & a DVD of the Aussie cut---called 'The Deadly Mr Frost'. Very different cuts.
Carpe Noctem!
Magic holds the distinction of being the very first R rated movie I ever saw. I saw it in the theater back when it was first released in 1978. I was only 11 years old. Back then, it was okay for someone underage to get into an R Rated movie if your parents said so. Thankfully mine did.
I just got the DVD and interestingly enough, I learn the TV spot was only shown ONCE in the NY area before being yanked (for creeping to many kids out), never to be shown again. I was very lucky I guess because I happened to remember seeing that TV spot as a kid (in the NY area). It was creepy and I made sure I saw the movie when it came to my local theater.
Whenever someone tells me they're an Anthony Hopkins fan, I always ask if they saw Magic. Most haven't even heard of it, let alone seen it (some fans huh?). Most people think of Hannibal Lecter when they think of Anthony Hopkins. I always think of 'Corky Withers' when I see Anthony Hopkins.
Magic made a huge impression on me and I never forgot it. Glad to see it finally out on DVD restored and unedited.
Interesting point you made about the movie's obscurity. People draw a blank when I talk about it to people, and then I usually say "It had this dummy that was creepy and looked like Anthony Hopkins." And then, people say "Aw, that movie used to be on cable all the time."
"Because I'm chaos, it is my destiny to destroy" -- Jeff Goldblum as "Mr. Frost."
I remember seeing the trailers for the film in 1978, when I was 15. I was too young to see an R-rated movie, and my parents wouldn't take me, so I bought the novel instead. I even did a book report on it for my high school English class. A few years later, I saw the movie on HBO. And now, I will purchase the DVD.
It's a bit ironic that children can't see R-rated movies on their own but they can buy "R-rated" books, but if that encourages kids to read, I'm all for it!
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I saw it in the movies back in 1978, I was 17. I was amazed to learn on the DVD that the TV spot aired only once. I remember seeing that spot because it scared me...yup, I was 17 but that spot scared me! Magic is one of those films that has stuck with me all these years because it was the film where I noticed Anthony Hopkins and became a fan of his work.
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I'm with Jim on this one. I came across it on amc. What a great movie.
Joshua D. Falb
February 1, 1987- July 5, 2007 Rest in peace
I saw it in first run in the late fall of 1978 at the River Oaks Theater in Calumet City, Illinois with my mom and dad. I was 13 and it scared me some but "Halloween" was playing next door and I tried to listen through the auditorium door and could hear the music and the screams from the crowd.
shareI saw this movie in the theater when it was released in 1978. I was in the 9th grade and suffering from awful depression. I had already missed 2 weeks of school. My mother took me to the nearest large town (Modesto, California) to see a movie to try to pick up my spirits. Knowing that I love creepy films, she took me to this one. It was, and still is, one of my all time favorite movies. I fell in love with Anthony Hopkins that day, and have never got over that crush (although I am now 44).
My favorite line is:
Peggy Ann Snow, Peggy Ann Snow, I'll follow you where ever you go.
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I watched it when I had just turned 17 in early....2007! Yes, I love the film. Tony was fascinating in it. I never get bored of it. And NO, he was NOT overacting.
"Dr Einstein- A quick twist like in London, huh?
Jonathan- I think it calls for something special- perhaps...the Melbourne Method
Dr Einstein- [cringing] No! Not the Melbourne method please! Two hours! And then when it was all over, what? The fellow in London was just as dead as the fellow in Melbourne.
-Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)"
I knew about the movie when it came out (I think I've posted here about how I first saw the trailer through a demerol-induced haze; it creeped the heck out of me!), but didn't see it until sometime in 1981 when it was on HBO.
I was already a Hopkins fan, but wow...this movie really sealed the deal!
LBE
*****
Just shove a bezoar down their throats.
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I remember very well when I first saw it with some high school buddies from southwest Virginia at one of those small town single-screen theaters that don't much exist anymore. We were 17 and loved it, but I gotta admit we loved Animal House a bit more. Ah, those were the days! I always thought the musical score was really good and very effective. Not quite up to Psycho's level, but close. Anthony Hopkins left a lasting impression on me with his performance. Despite what the DVD says about the movie's trailer only showing once, I remember it being on TV back then a lot, so maybe it is referring to some kind of network run and local or regional appearances were more frequent. I also distinctly recall an appearance by Hopkins on Johnny Carson to plug the movie. Too bad that's not on the DVD, huh? (Fat chance!) Hopkins talked a lot about all the work he had to put in to be a convincing ventriloquist and how much the discipline to develop that skill helped him become a better actor. The first time I saw Silence of the Lambs I could see it on display in his performance and it's one of the things that makes that movie so damned creepy. As I watched it, his work in Magic leapt immediately to mind, even though it was a less accomplished and successful movie. He and Johnny talked about magic quite a bit and also shared in some simple tricks, and since Carson got his start in show business as a magician you could tell he loved that. Back then Johnny was a 90 minute show and guests had more time to show off than they get now.
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currently watching it for the first time right now (on amc). I remember when it was in theaters back in the 70's. i saw a commercial for it and saw the dummys eyes creeply move and it slap scared me to death. i have since read the book "it" and it kinda reminds me of this character somewhat.
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I first came across it like you did on late night AMC Halloween season, between They Live and Motel Hell. I loved it from the first time I saw it.
shareI saw this at the theaters in its original release with my high school buddies, so it was back in 1978 or 79. It was either my first or second R-rated movie. (I can't remember if I saw "Magic" or "Saturday Night Fever" first, which I remember seeing in a re-release.)
Now that my kids are in high school, I can't wait to share this quirky, haunting film with them. I think they'll love it. :-) This is what a horror film should be like - there are just so few good ones these days! (Are you listening, Hollywood?)
I remember the commercials for it when it first came out when I was about 10 and it was scary looking. My cousin use to try to scare me trying to imitate the dummy or something. Cut to the year 2000 in Seattle, my then beau and I were looking to rent some movies and I chose La Femme Nikita and he chose Magic saying how good it was. I just happened to have a crush on Hopkins at the time and when I looked at the cover, I was like "OMG, that was Anthony Hopkins in that movie?" and he said how AH was robbed of the Oscar. Then we dropped some acid and watched it and it was great. Needless to say, Hopkins blew my mind, and no, it wasn't the acid as I've seen it a few times since without any substances and he still blows my mind in this. I think I'll watch it soon since it's been a little while, so good.
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