Mandrake is a 1979 American television thriller film directed by Harry Falk and starring Anthony Herrera, Simone Griffeth, Ji-Tu Cumbuka, Gretchen Corbett, Peter Haskell, and Robert Reed. Based on the comic strip Mandrake the Magician, the film follows a magician attempting to help an amusement park owner who is being blackmailed by a psychopath who is murdering guests.
| Mandrake | |
|---|---|
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| Genre | Thriller[2] |
| Based on | Mandrake the Magician by Lee Falk |
| Written by | Rick Husky |
| Directed by | Harry Falk |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Rick Husky |
| Cinematography | Vincent A. Martinelli |
| Editors |
|
| Running time | 100 minutes[2] |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | January 24, 1979[1] |
Premise
editThe film follows Mandrake, a magician, and his assistant Lothar, who attempt to help an amusement park proprietor being blackmailed by a psychopath who is murdering the park's customers.
Cast
edit- Anthony Herrera as Mandrake
- David Hollander as Young Mandrake
- Simone Griffeth as Stacy
- Ji-Tu Cumbuka as Lothar
- Hank Brandt as Alec Gordon
- Gretchen Corbett as Jennifer Lindsay
- Peter Haskell as William Romero
- Robert Reed as Arkadian
- David Hooks as Dr. Malcolm Lindsay
- Harry Blackstone Jr. as Dr. Nolan
- James Hong as Theron
- Sab Shimono as Ho
- Donna Kei Benz as Cindy
Release
editCritical response
editTom Buckley of The New York Times panned the film, writing that "Rick Husky's script for this Universal Television presentation is a compilation of cliches. Harry Falks's direction is plodding. However, viewers can try a magic trick of their own. By turning the dial, they can make Mandrake disappear".[1]
References
edit- ^ a b Buckley, Tom (January 24, 1979). "TV: 'Mandrake' Appears". The New York Times. New York City, New York. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020.
- ^ a b Young, R. G., ed. (2000). The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film: Ali Baba to Zombies. New York City, New York: Applause Books. p. 380. ISBN 978-1-557-83269-6.