The Mad Magician in 3D
Company: Twilight Time
Starring: Mary
Murphy, Eva Gabor, John Emery, Lenita Lane, Donald Randolph, Jay Novello,
Patrick O'Neal, Vincent Price
My Review and Thoughts:
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Again, I was super excited to hear about this release. I had
never seen this one. For some reason, it passed me by throughout my movie
viewing life. More shocking is that Vincent Price stars in it and I am a huge
Price fan, so I was happy to finally get to see it. Also, getting to see it on a
high-quality Blu-ray is more fantastic. Twilight Time has done another amazing job bringing this B-grade Cult Classic Drive-In movie to a high quality Blu-ray and in 3D.
As I have stated starring one of the true masters of Horror,
Vincent Price. Price, really needs no introduction to anyone calling themselves
a movie lover. He was the very definition of performance in no matter what role
he played. From drama, to horror, he was the guru of cinema. Most fans flock to
and collect his horror films for they were a true trademark, of Price. Price
was so much more than just a horror actor. Prince was a skilled thespian. Price
was an actor that could hold the audience, and give them a sense of personal
dread and personal drama in the belief of his character. He plays the part of
Don Gallico and Gallico the Great in this film and is solid with acting
perfection.
Starring as equally important John Emery. Emery was a true
master talent and thespian of the cinema world. Starring in some of the great
films of all time. He played the character Dr. Fleurot in the wonderful
film-noir 1945’s Spellbound. The wonderful character of Jean in the classic
Ingrid Bergman film 1948’s Joan of Arc. He also starred in some of the great
B-Grade Sci-fi Films Drive-in style films Rocketship X-M from 1950 and one of
my personal B-movie favorites Kronos (1957).
Also, starring two very gifted beauties Mary Murphy and Eva
Gabor. Mary Murphy was a true goddess of cinema. A true actress that shined. Mary
Murphy went through the ringer of character actress or actress filling in small
parts that meant basically nothing for a while, but ended up being a true
leading lady beside some of the greats. Starring in such greats as 1953’s The
Wild One with the great Marlon Brando. With the amazing Tony Curtis in 1954’s
Beachhead and so many more. Eva Gabor was equally important and equally a true beauty. A soul that could
create and master any film small or great with total perfection. Working in
over 80 performances. Many know her sister with greater knowledge Zsa Zsa Gabor, but I feel Eva was of greater talent. Working not only in film, but also as a
voice actor in such Disney classics 1970’s The AristoCats, 1977’s The Rescuers. She worked and starred in such great films as 1958’s Gigi. Many will know her
from TV shows like Petticoat Junction, and her most famous role as Lisa Douglas
in the long running sitcom comedy classic Green Acres. She was a beauty and
shined in just anything she did.
Directed by one of the forgotten greats John Brahm. Started
directing in 1932 and stepped away from the craft in 1967. He would pass away
in 1982. He not only directed films but he directed TV films and series. He
directed such great television as the original Outer Limits, and the original Twilight
Light Zone. He directed one of my favorite Horror mysteries and an all-around
import piece of cinema period and is one of those films that should always be remembered
and respected, 1944’s classic The Lodger. He also directed a wonderful drama
1952’s The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima.
This movie was written by an equally important persona in
the film world. The one and only actor, writer and director Crane Wilbur.
Wilbur was a true visionary and pioneer of screen writing. He wrote over 80
screenplays for film and TV and he acted in well over 80 performances, and
directed well over 30 films. He was a man of many talents and created memorable
pieces of cinema including this one I am reviewing, brought out and honored in
loving detail by the company Twilight Time. He wrote many wonderful films such as
the horror great 1953’s House of Wax, also starring Vincent Price. He wrote the
screenplay for 1961’s Mysterious Island which also has been brought out on a lovely Twilight Time Blu-ray release. He also wrote and directed 1959’s The
Bat, also starring Vincent Price. He also wrote another film that Twilight
Time lovingly brought out on Special Edition Blu-ray, Solomon and Sheba.
A fun and glorious 1954 horror film. A great film restored and
lovingly brought out on a new worthy outlet to praise. This is a golden ticket.
Twilight Time not only gives you the standard 2D version, but also you get the
wonderful 3D version. This great B-grade, drive-in style, cult, late-night mystery
is about a magician who murders one of his greedy employers who just happens to
own all his tricks, but soon he finds that he must continue to murder to
conceal and control his present and his future.
Audio/Video:
My Rating: 5 out 5
Brilliant as always. Wonderfully produced product. High
quality Blu-ray. Absolutely an amazing transfer to High Definition 1080P. The
imagery is crisp black and white and vibrant in tone. The sound is total
crystal clarity. That is something that almost always stands out with Twilight Time
products. They do amazing job to these older films or at least try's to give the best quality possible.
LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 1.85:1
AUDIO: English 1.0 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
Extras:
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Isolated Music Track: The music is composed by Emil Newman and Arthur Lange. Emil Newman was a prolific master of music. A conductor that
worked on many countless films and TV programs; well over 200 programs. What is
so great about Newman is he worked on so many favorites of mine. I am a huge
B-Movie lover, and B-movie film collector, he worked on many B-movie style
films, pinpointing him as the music director for the classic 1942’s The Undying
Monster is perfection. Newman has composed the music for so many styles of
film. He worked on one of my favorites, Woman on the Run. This 1950 film noir is
another prime example of capturing flawless cinema. Starring the beautiful,
multi-talented Ann Sheridan, the brilliant Dennis O’Keefe, Robert Keith and
Ross Elliott. Newman added his brilliance to many wonderful films and The Mad
Magician is one of them. Second on the music reality is the equally amazing
Arthur Lange. An amazing composer of a vast array of important and popular
music of his day and even to this day his music shines as one looks back on his brilliance in film. Working on well over 100 films. Starting
in 1929 and working till his death in 1956. It was great to hear this extra that Twilight Time supplied.
Audio Commentary by Film Historians David Del Valle and
Steven Peros. A wonderful listen. Always amazing to hear from film historians.
Always amazing to get great knowledge on the ideas and historical realities of
the films being talked about.
Master of Fright! Conjuring The Mad Magician
PLUS: Two 3D/2D 1953 Comedy Shorts Starring The Three
Stooges, Pardon My Backfire and Spooks! Truly a priceless extra. I mean come on
it’s The Three Stooges what more do
you need for this. Stooges equal
perfection.
Original Theatrical Trailer
Overall:
Another amazing journey into a spotless product in transfer
and imagery and special features. Twilight Time is amazing. A perfect example
of another must own product. High quality Blu-ray.
INFO:
Make sure you head over to www.screenarchives.com to buy all
the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these
beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
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