Magic

Magic (1978)

Timing: 1:47 (107 min)

6.85/10
256

6.905/10
3601

6.8/10
15000

• The film is based on the novel of the same name by William Goldman, which in turn was inspired by the final episode of the anthology film *Deep Night* (1945).
• Gene Wilder (1933-2016) was initially considered for the role of Corky, which was eventually played by Anthony Hopkins. Neither director Richard Attenborough (1923-2014) nor screenwriter William Goldman (1931-2018) objected to this. However, producer Joseph E. Levine (1905-1987) opposed it, as he didn't want to cast a comedic actor in a serious film.
• When Anthony Hopkins first saw the Fats puppet, he was allowed to take it home overnight to get used to it. The puppet so unnerved the actor that in the middle of the night he called the ventriloquist working as a consultant on the film and stated that either someone would come and take the puppet away immediately, or he would throw it into the canyon. Ultimately, director Attenborough had to personally go to Hopkins and calm the actor down.
• In preparation for his role in this film, Anthony Hopkins learned several magic tricks and mastered the art of ventriloquism. He learned to speak without moving his lips and to work with the puppet.
• The Fats puppet was deliberately given certain similarities to Anthony Hopkins.