Carnival Magic (film)

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Carnival Magic

DVD cover art
Directed by Al Adamson
Produced by Elvin Feltner
Studio Krypton Productions
Release dates
  • 1981 (1981)
Running time 100 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Carnival Magic is a 1981 American film directed by Al Adamson and starring Don Stewart. Originally intended as a family-oriented children’s film, it has since gained a cult following in underground and B movie film circles due to its surreal plot and incongruously-adult themes.[1]

Plot

Markov the Magnificent is a talented magician and mind-reader whose career is fading. When he partners with a super-intelligent talking chimp named Alexander the Great, the duo suddenly become a big draw—and the potential savior for their struggling, small-time traveling circus. But they must fend off a jealous, alcoholic lion-tamer and an evil doctor intent on stealing the chimp.

Cast

  • Don Stewart
  • Regina Carrol
  • Jennifer Houlton
  • Howard Segal
  • Joe Cirillo
  • Mark Weston
  • Charles Reynolds

Background

Producer Elvin Feltner and director Al Adamson intended the film as family fare, aimed at children. But the prevalence of adult themes (alcoholism, sex, abuse, violence) left many viewers confused.[2] For two decades, the film was missing in action, amid rumors that no prints even remained, but in 2009 a 35mm print was discovered in a warehouse, sparking the film’s revival among cult aficionados.[3] This was the last-ever acting role for Regina Carrol, who was married to director Adamson and featured in several of his films.[4] Not coincidentally, it was also one of Adamson’s last two films before retiring from the film industry and pursuing a successful career in real estate. Philip Morris, a real-life ringmaster, magician, and costume maker, appears as a carnival barker at the film's outset. [5]

Revival and re-release

Following the discovery of a clean print in 2009, Carnival Magic was restored and re-mastered in 2010, receiving its television debut on Turner Classic Movies in October of that year, as part of their TCM Underground series.[6] It finally saw a DVD release in early 2011 from Film Chest and HD Cinema Classics, reissued on Blu-ray and containing bonus material (including out-takes, trailers, audio commentary and interviews with cult film historian Joe Rubin and producer Elvin Feltner)[7] which helped to clear up some of the long-running mysteries that surrounded the bizarre film.

References

  1. ↑ Savlov, Marc - The Austin Chronicle (December 10, 2010) “Bumpy Ride: Is Carnival Magic The Weirdest Movie Ever Made For Kids?”
  2. ↑ The A.V. Club (December 14, 2010) “Weird Wednesday: Carnival Magic + Elvin Feltner”
  3. ↑ Poggiali, Chris - Temple of Schlock (September 20, 2010) “Carnival Magic on TCM Underground!”
  4. ↑ Thompson, Nathaniel - tcm.com/Turner Classic Movies Underground "Carnival Magic"
  5. ↑ Taylor, Brett (Fall 2010). "The Amazing Philip Morris: TV Horror Host, Spook Show Magician, Ventriloquist, and The Man Who Made Bigfoot". Filmfax Plus (125). 
  6. ↑ Thompson, Nathaniel - tcm.com/Turner Classic Movies Underground "Carnival Magic"
  7. ↑ Carnival Magic, Amazon product description

External links

Films directed by Al Adamson
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