I Watch Movies: The Mad Magician

 

The Mad Magician

Vincent Price is introduced to us as a magician about to go on stage with a new trick that is a buzzsaw that cuts off his assistant’s head. First he impersonates another magician; he is a gifted mimic which will be important later. Just before he goes on with the buzzsaw he’s stopped; his boss at the magician’s trick provider owns the rights to everything he makes.

It turns out that his boss also took his wife from him, being able to offer her money and luxury, and now she’s in Europe gallivanting about. He decides to take revenge, using tricks, magic and mimicry. Things get a little tricky as his assistant’s boyfriend is a police detective. There’s some good period stuff, with horse and trap travel about the city, and using a college football victory and the giant bonfire they build in celebration as cover for crime. There’s a few odd editing choices, where scenes aren’t there and instead are discussed.

Watch This: For a twisty turny tricky murderous thriller
Don’t Watch This: It’s gimmicky, including a now not-working 3D effort, causing occasional weird shots where things get flung towards the camera