The Magician

A man, Peter, joins a traveling show dominated by a middle-aged magician who uses his grown twin daughters in his act. Peter falls in love with one of the daughters. The other daughter meets an untimely end, and the father must then employ mirrors to continue to effect his illusions, and Peter must struggle with his internal doubts as to which daughter, in fact, is still living. No, the answer is not as patent as one might think.I viewed this film (under the Double Deception title) once, on television, circa 1970, and I believe the English was dubbed in. I cannot speak to directing, acting and writing in any detail after such a long time, but the fact that the film stuck so strongly in my mind is an indication that it was very effective. I remember the somber tone and becoming engaged in Peter’s agonizing quest, not only to determine the truth, but also to discover himself by virtue of his response to what he learns. I had sought in vain to find evidence of this film in Maltin’s guide. I had nearly decided I had imagined it before finding it listed here. I see that it is so obscure that five persons have not yet voted on it. I feel it is well worthy of attention, and I do hope this film has not been lost to nonpreservation. This film should be resurrected for those of us who adore film noire. (Does anyone not?)