librachild

The Dead Talk Back. Weren't they irritating enough when they were alive? This is a somewhat odd "who done it?" tale of a crossbow murder at a boarding house. The story is basically told through the eyes of one police Lt.Lewis investigating the crime and the amateur sleuth helping out. Mr Krasker, the amateur sleuth, believes the departed can be contacted and communicated with. Therefore his services are highly sought by the police in solving the murder. All boarders are suspect. Who done it? Is it the bible quoting potentate of righteousness, the homely Miss Byington, the withdrawn record clerk, the refined DJ, the landlady, Frits Kreuger, or Mr. Krasker himself?? Marvel as Mr. Krasker devises a plan to nab the murderer. Recommended for murder mystery buffs and those who talk to the dead or are thinking about it.

I watched this movie on the merit of various reviews I read about it. All were positive. As I watched I kept expecting good things to happen, but grew more disappointed as the film progressed. Anthony Hopkins gives a decent performance as Corky Withers the self doubting ventriloquist, but Ann-Margret comes off a bit stilted and uninspired as Peggy Ann Snow, Corky's love interest. Ed Louter as Duke also seems wooden. Perhaps it is the characters they play. Neither has appeal or is interesting.

As far as the story goes, I was neither spooked or humored by Fats the dummy. As Corky's alter ego tormentor he is neither that spooky or humorous. The device of mixing attempted terror and humor just doesn't work here. Timely jump cuts and editing as well as crafty camera work together with a more maniacal Fats would have aided in making the film more terrifying and suspenseful. I was underwhelmed with the film's ending as well. A bit more imagination please? Also - harmonica music for the evil vent figure's theme music?? I guess the accordion was too intense.

Although the evil ventriloquist dummy story line is a bit of a cliché, I would welcome a remake of Magic. Remakes seem to be the trend these days and I think a new slant on the movie would be a worthy venture. Overall, I give Magic a C.

Here it is. The Monkees one and only contribution to cinema. With their show at the end of it's TV run, the boys now had more precious time to devote to movie making. Ooops! The Monkees, Peter, Mike, Davy, and Micky, try to break away from their teenybopper/bubblegum image with this "hip" cinematic offering. Lots of pretty decent FX for the time. This is not so much a movie, but a visual stream of consciousness committed to film. Lots of unusual celebrity cameos and groovy songs (the Porpoise Song isn't bad). Not as relevant now as it was then, but worth a one time viewing in case you missed it in 1968. Oh yeah, written by and co produced by Jack Nicholson. Far out man!