The Mad Magician Blu-ray Review

"The Mad Magician" is presented on Blu-ray with impressive 1080p transfers using AVC for 2D and MVC for 3D, maintaining the film's original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The video quality is generally exceptional, with specific attention to detail in the restoration process, resulting in minimal blemishes and a highly polished image. The grayscale rendering showcases deep, inky blacks and crisp whites, ensuring solid shadow separation even in the darkest scenes. Film grain is preserved naturally, adding a touch of vintage texture without becoming intrusive. Detail levels are notably sharp, especially in close-ups where fabric patterns and facial features are resolved with precision. Some midrange and cutaway shots exhibit slight softness, albeit without major impact on overall viewing satisfaction.

The 3D presentation of "The Mad Magician" elevates the viewing experience, breathing life into the black-and-white images with a considerable sense of depth and dimension. The 3D effects, while occasionally employing classic gimmicks like extending arms and yo-yos, primarily focus on establishing a believable three-dimensional world. Scenes are composed thoughtfully, with foreground, middle ground, and background elements creating a rich visual tapestry. The film's use of space within sets like Gallico's workshop and theater enhances the immersive effect. Remarkably, the 3D transfer minimizes ghosting and crosstalk issues, with intentional brightening compensating for the darker image perceived through 3D glasses.

However, it's noteworthy that occasional inconsistencies in contrast, particularly during optical transitions, may affect the overall grayscale modulation. Despite this, brightness and contrast levels remain acceptable with true blacks providing an adequately balanced visual experience. While some 3D effects might feel a tad dated or cheesy, the overall presentation in both 2D and 3D demonstrates a commendable restoration effort, making "The Mad Magician" an engaging visual experience on Blu-ray.

"The Mad Magician" presents a commendable DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track, reflective of its era while delivering clear dialogue and a decent soundstage. There's an intrinsic boxiness to the audio, typical of vintage mono mixes, yet it manages to convey conversations with precision. The film's thematic music, although slightly tinny, uses a theremin effectively to elevate the spooky atmosphere. Importantly, the track remains free of any noticeable damage or deteriorations.

Despite the inherent limitations of its period-specific mono format, this presentation achieves a well-layered and immersive audio experience. Dialogue is consistently clean and intelligible, with only minor unnaturalness during character impersonations. The sound effects provide a surprising sense of space and dimension, efficiently captured through a single channel. The Arthur Lange and Emil Newman score integrates seamlessly with the dialogue and effects, maintaining a perfect balance. Additionally, the absence of hiss, pops, or other age-related noise contributes to a clear and enjoyable listening session.

While the fidelity might not astound with its low-end presence, the restoration of this track is praiseworthy. The carefully tuned levels ensure listeners won't be frequently adjusting their volume, further enhancing the overall experience of this classic horror thriller. Overall, it’s a solid mono track that respects and encapsulates the audio characteristics of its time.

The Blu-ray of "The Mad Magician" delivers a commendable array of extras that thoroughly enrich the viewing experience. The comprehensive audio commentary by film historians David Del Valle and Steven Peros stands out, providing a detailed and engaging exploration of the movie’s production history, cast anecdotes, and its context within the short-lived 3D craze of the early 1950s. Complementing the commentary, "Master of Fright: Conjuring 'The Mad Magician'" offers insightful background information and discussions on the film’s creative team. Additionally, two classic Three Stooges shorts, "Pardon My Backfire" and "Spooks," are included in both 2D and 3D formats, ensuring a vivid nostalgic experience. Rounding out the extras are the original theatrical trailer and an isolated score track presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Film Historians David Del Valle and Steven Peros engage in an informative discussion.
• Master of Fright!: Conjuring 'The Mad Magician': In-depth featurette by Ballyhoo.
• Pardon My Backfire: The Three Stooges short available in 2D/3D.
• Spooks!: Another entertaining Three Stooges short in 2D/3D.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: Original preview of the film.
• Isolated Score Track: Presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.

"The Mad Magician," directed by John Brahm, is a fascinating blend of horror, suspense, and dark humor that reaffirms Vincent Price’s emerging status as a horror icon in the mid-1950s. Mirroring the success of "House of Wax," this film casts Price as Don Gallico, a magician who yearns for acclaim on the stage but is thwarted by unscrupulous employer Ross Ormond, played by Donald Randolph. Determined to reclaim his inventions and career from Ormond and rival magician The Great Rinaldi (John Emery), Gallico embarks on a killing spree, invoking comparisons to Price’s later roles, such as in "The Abominable Dr. Phibes," due to his adept use of makeup and prosthetics to disguise himself.

The plot of "The Mad Magician" is driven by Gallico's transformation from a wronged inventor to a methodical murderer, illustrating his tragic descent into madness pushed by external betrayals. The screenplay by Crane Wilbur, enriched with sly humor and dramatic tension, builds a compelling narrative that utilizes 3D technology not just for spectacle, but to create intricate layers of depth in scenes, particularly within Gallico’s workshop filled with foreground and background elements. Despite some plot contrivances and a degree of suspension of disbelief required—such as Gallico adopting disguises remarkably taller than him— the film captivates with its inventive death devices and engaging murder scenarios.

Adding to the film's appeal are strong performances by the supporting cast, including Patrick O’Neal as the astute Lieutenant Bruce and Mary Murphy as the inquisitive assistant Karen. The dynamic between Price and Eva Gabor's Claire, along with Lenita Lane's entertaining portrayal of an intuitive mystery novelist, injects both tension and comedic relief into the story. While it inadvertently reveals some technical errors, such as mirrored table reflections or flapping spirit-gummed mustaches, "The Mad Magician" remains a tightly paced thriller at 72 minutes. Despite its differences from its predecessor, "House of Wax," it solidifies its standing with remarkable 3D effects and yet another compelling performance from Vincent Price.

"The Mad Magician," now available on Blu-ray through Twilight Time, is a delight for fans of vintage horror and 3D cinema. Released with both 2D and 3D presentations, this version features an excellent restoration, bringing the 1954 film’s visual and auditory elements to a new level of clarity. Vincent Price’s performance adds a chilling depth to the revenge narrative, further enhanced by the immersive qualities of the widescreen 3D technology. Plus, the inclusion of restored Three Stooges shorts in 3D is a bonus that elevates the overall package.

This disc presents a thoroughly enjoyable experience of old-fashioned, gimmick-laden entertainment, perfectly positioned to captivate both genre enthusiasts and 3D aficionados. The limited release of 3,000 copies ensures that this edition is not just a viewing pleasure but potentially a collectible item. The supplemental features, including insightful commentary and behind-the-scenes material, make this an indispensable addition for serious collectors of classic horror and vintage cinema.

The Mad Magician never attains the weird majesty of House of Wax, and it's probably too short and even truncated feeling to build up much suspense, but taken for the gimmick-laden 3D experience it obviously was aiming to be, it's old-fashioned goofy fun. Aficionados of vintage 3D material have had a field day recently, especially with the efforts of folks like Robert Furmanek at 3-D Archive, and those who enjoy in-your-face entertainment should get a kick (or at least a spray of water) out of this entry. Highly recommended for horror fans and collectors alike.