Review: Black Magic (1949)
1949's Black Magic is equal parts drama, mystery, forbidden romance, and swashbuckler. Most importantly, it's a rousing tour-de-force for its star Orson Welles, who plays the infamous 18th century mentalist and occultist Joseph Balsamo, better known as Count Cagliostro--a real historical figure who has been the subject of films, operas, and novels, including the Alexander Dumas book upon which this story is based. Our tale begins when Balsamo is a child, the offspring of gypsies who have been captured by the French Viscount de Montaigne. After being forced to watch his parents hanged, our young protagonist is beaten and very nearly blinded before being rescued by his kinsmen. Vowing revenge upon de Montaigne, Balsamo grows up to become an illusionist in a traveling show where he wows audiences with his sleight-of-hand skills and transfixing eyes. He soon meets Dr. Franz Anton Mesmer (from whom we derive the term "mesmerize") who teaches him how to use his captivati...