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[1] |
| 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[1] |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | January 24, 1979[2] |
Premise edit
The 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 edit
Critical response edit
Tom 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".[2]
References edit
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
