I was taken aback by a very young Anthony Hopkins as a magician who we see snap at the start of the film on stage because the audience are rudly ignoring his act.
However Hopkins (Corky) adapts his act to include ventriloquism using a rude puppet called Fats in his act. An act that develops more popularity and even the attention of television executives and an agent, Ben played by Burgess Meredith (of Rocky fame).
Corky seems to talk to Fats at an alarming rate in 'ordinary' conversation exhibiting mental health symptoms in the process that Ben notices with deadly consequences.
Added to the mix of the screenplay is a love story where Corky is reunited with a childhood sweetheart, Peggy (Ann Margret). Again the puppet becomes involved in the love match with deadly consequences.
Hopkins exhibits signs with the Corky role that he would go on to repeat 12 years later to great acclaim as Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs (1991).
All in all a highly deserving thriller from director Richard Attenborough that should be watched. The score by Jerry Goldsmith adds to the tension.
However Hopkins (Corky) adapts his act to include ventriloquism using a rude puppet called Fats in his act. An act that develops more popularity and even the attention of television executives and an agent, Ben played by Burgess Meredith (of Rocky fame).
Corky seems to talk to Fats at an alarming rate in 'ordinary' conversation exhibiting mental health symptoms in the process that Ben notices with deadly consequences.
Added to the mix of the screenplay is a love story where Corky is reunited with a childhood sweetheart, Peggy (Ann Margret). Again the puppet becomes involved in the love match with deadly consequences.
Hopkins exhibits signs with the Corky role that he would go on to repeat 12 years later to great acclaim as Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs (1991).
All in all a highly deserving thriller from director Richard Attenborough that should be watched. The score by Jerry Goldsmith adds to the tension.