Carnival Magic (film)
Encyclopedia
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.
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. 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. This was the last-ever acting role for Regina Carrol
, who was married to director Adamson and featured in several of his films. 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.
in October of that year, as part of their TCM Underground series. It finally saw a DVD release in early 2011, 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) which helped to clear up some of the long-running mysteries that surrounded the bizarre film.
Al Adamson
Al Adamson was a prolific director of B-grade horror films throughout the 1960s and 1970s.After assisting his father, Victor Adamson, in making the 1963 movie Halfway to Hell, Adamson decided to work in the motion picture industry himself...
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
B movie
A B movie is a low-budget commercial motion picture that is not definitively an arthouse or pornographic film. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified a film intended for distribution as the less-publicized, bottom half of a double feature....
film circles due to its surreal plot and incongruously-adult themes.
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 CarrolRegina CarrolRegina Carrol was an American performer,born as Regina Carol Gelfan, mostly remembered for her roles in films directed by her husband, Al Adamson.-Singing roles:*Dracula vs...
- Jennifer Houlton
- Howard Segal
- Joe Cirillo
- Mark Weston
- Charles Reynolds
Background
Producer Elvin FeltnerElvin Feltner
Clarence Elvin Feltner, Jr, is an American film producer, television broadcaster and telecommunications entrepreneur. He is best known for producing the cult film Carnival Magic, for his role in a landmark copyright infringement decision v...
and director Al Adamson
Al Adamson
Al Adamson was a prolific director of B-grade horror films throughout the 1960s and 1970s.After assisting his father, Victor Adamson, in making the 1963 movie Halfway to Hell, Adamson decided to work in the motion picture industry himself...
intended the film as family fare, aimed at children. But the prevalence of adult themes (alcoholism, sex, abuse, violence) left many viewers confused. 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. This was the last-ever acting role for Regina Carrol
Regina Carrol
Regina Carrol was an American performer,born as Regina Carol Gelfan, mostly remembered for her roles in films directed by her husband, Al Adamson.-Singing roles:*Dracula vs...
, who was married to director Adamson and featured in several of his films. 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.
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 MoviesTurner Classic Movies
Turner Classic Movies is a movie-oriented cable television channel, owned by the Turner Broadcasting System subsidiary of Time Warner, featuring commercial-free classic movies, mostly from the Turner Entertainment and MGM, United Artists, RKO and Warner Bros. film libraries...
in October of that year, as part of their TCM Underground series. It finally saw a DVD release in early 2011, 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) which helped to clear up some of the long-running mysteries that surrounded the bizarre film.
External links
- Carnival Magic overview at Turner Classic MoviesTurner Classic MoviesTurner Classic Movies is a movie-oriented cable television channel, owned by the Turner Broadcasting System subsidiary of Time Warner, featuring commercial-free classic movies, mostly from the Turner Entertainment and MGM, United Artists, RKO and Warner Bros. film libraries...