What makes ventriloquist dummiesso incredibly creepy? There is a certain undefinable eeriness to the inanimate wooden dolls, and when their handlers bring them to life, they become a fantastic horror movie device. In 1978, over a decade before he would deliver one of his mostpenetrating performances as Dr. Hannibal LecterinJonathan Demme’sThe Silence of the Lambs,Anthony Hopkinsstarred as an unhinged magician/ventriloquist in directorRichard Attenborough’sMagic. In the late 70s, Hopkins was a British actor in Hollywood trying to find his footing. Classically trained, he had shown promise in the epic war filmA Bridge Too Farbut had yet to really take off in the States. InMagic, he stars opposite an impressive ensemble that includes a stunningAnn-Margret, a curmudgeonlyBurgess Meredith, andEd Lauterin a bizarre tale of a psychologically fragile comedian who takes to ventriloquism to save his fledgling career.It is a very early indicator that Hopkins had enormous rangeand that he would make for a perfect cannibalistic killer years later.
What Is ‘Magic’ About?
Hopkins plays Corky Withers,a Los Angeles-based stand-up comedianwhose career is heading in the wrong direction. Desperate, Corky changes his act and becomes a ventriloquist, reinventing himself with his smooth-talking dummy, Fats. When his agent, Ben Greene (Meredith), manages to get an NBC executive down to see his unique act, he is offered a show on the major network. It’s everything he’s worked for,but he hesitates when Ben tells Corky that he must undergo a psychological test before being offered the contract. Later, he flatly refuses to take the test and flees L.A. to his small, rural childhood town alongside his trusty companion dummy, Fats.
Once back home, Corky encounters the lovely Peggy Ann Snow, a girl he knew from high school. The two find comfort in each other’s presence, and soon, they become romantically involved, even though she is unhappily married to her husband, Duke (Lauter). But the closer he gets to Peg, the more untethered he becomesas Fats becomes the devil on his shoulder,jealous of the attention she is getting from him.Corky’s personality starts to splinter (no pun intended) between the loving sexual partner and the sadistic Fats,who wants Corky all to himself.
There Are Glimpses of Hannibal Lecter in Hopkins' ‘Magic’ Performance
Magicis a valuable entry into Hopkins' lengthy filmography, not only because it showcases his enormous screen presence and gravitas,but also because it is the only real role in which we get glimpses of the unforgettable Hannibal Lecter. One of the things thatmakes Lecter such an engaging and compelling characteris the unusual cadence with which he speaks.He speaks clearly and quickly, with unwavering confidence and tact, and remains one of the most haunting characters in film history. He was still thirteen years away from the seminal role, but as Corky Withers, you can hear the genesis of the brilliantly deranged cannibal who played cat-and-mouse mind games with the inexperienced FBI agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster).
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“It knows what scares you.”
Corky’s psychopathy presents much differently than Lecter’s. Still, whenever he gets anxious or feels like he might lose control, you may hear that silver-tongued psychopath raging to do evil things. Hopkins has always delivered his lines articulately. Each word he utters has a specific purpose. So, despite the unusual storyline that involves a creepy alter ego dummy that murders people,it is still an attractive woman who gets under his skin and drives him to kill.Ann-Margret is Hollywood royalty in her own right and has terrific chemistry with Hopkins. To be clear, Corky Withers couldn’t be more different than Hannibal Lecter. Corky is timid and unsure of himself as well as protective of his fragile psyche, while Lecter thrives in his unique psychopathy.Magicsits withan 87% score on Rotten Tomatoesandis worthy of a two-hour time investment on its own merits. Still, enjoyment can also be found in experiencing some of the qualities that Hopkins would bring to his most remarkable performance.
A ventriloquist is at the mercy of his vicious dummy while he tries to renew a romance with his high school sweetheart.
