Black Magic (1949 film)

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Black Magic
Directed by Gregory Ratoff
Produced by Gregory Ratoff
Written by Alexandre Dumas père (novel)
Charles Bennett (adaptation)
Starring Orson Welles
Nancy Guild
Akim Tamiroff
Frank Latimore
Valentina Cortese
Music by Paul Sawtell
Cinematography Ubaldo Arata
Anchise Brizzi
Editing by Fred R. Feitshans Jr.
James C. McKay
Distributed by United Artists
Release date(s) August 19, 1949 (U.S.)
Running time 105 min
Country United States
Italy
Language English
IMDb profile

Black Magic is a 1949 film adaptation of Alexandre Dumas, père's novel. It was directed by the Russian-born Gregory Ratoff and stars Orson Welles in the lead role as Joseph Balsamo (aka 18th century hypnotist, magician and scam artist Count Cagliostro) and Nancy Guild as Lorenza/ Marie Antoinette.

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[edit] Plot

Alexander Dumas, Sr. (Berry Kroeger) tells his son Alexander Dumas, Jr. (Raymond Burr) the story of Joseph Balsamo (Orson Welles). Through flashbacks we learn that Balsamo was a French gypsy boy who endured much hardship. He was tortured under the command of Viscount de Montagne (Stephen Bekassy) and his parents were ordered to hang. Some years later, he learns the secrets of hypnosis from Dr. Mesmer (Charles Goldner). Ignoring the doctor's advice that he use his powers for healing, he exploits his new talent to the full; gaining wealth, fame and prestige. After changing his name to Count Cagliostro, he becomes famous all over Europe. Things begin to go downhill when he enters a plot to substitute a young girl called Lorenza (Nancy Guild) for the French queen Marie Antoinette along with gypsies Gilbert (Akim Tamiroff) and Zoraida (Valentina Cortese).

[edit] Cast

[edit] Trivia

[edit] External links