THE MAD MAGICIAN (1954)
Vincent Price is my favorite actor of all time, just edging out Peter Cushing. I am determined to see all of his vital performances, regardless of the genre (though I do have a preference, natch). This is one of his most interesting turns, pre-moustache anyway. In The Mad Magician, Price plays Gallico the Great, a deft magician who endeavors to establish his own stage show. Due to a clause in his contract, however, he is obliged to create tricks for rival illusionists, namely The Great Rinaldi. After his boss quelches one of his lavish spectacles with a court injunction, Gallico sets off a chain of increasingly nasty events to settle the score. Several mangled cadavers later, he must find a way to debut his newest trick - dubbed "The Lady and the Buzzsaw" - without being exposed.
Less of a pure horror film and more of a drama/thriller, Mad has plenty to offer your Hallowtide festivities. Indeed, it's horror enough for this website. Price is his usual beguiling self, pacing is premium, and there is a handful of plot twists along the way to keep the viewer guessing. If I had to pinpoint a drawback, it would be that the guesswork comes to a halt a little too soon. Without spoiling anything, I'll say that the climax isn't quite as riveting as it could have been. The Mad Magician isn't the impenetrable mystery that it purports to be. But these are relatively microscopic quibbles. This is a fine motion picture that fits neatly next to House of Wax and The Abominable Dr. Phibes in a bloodline of classic shockers that I'm calling Vincent Price Will Have His Revenge (italicized for effect).
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