IMDb 6.1 1988 HD

A Night at the Magic Castle

A Night at the Magic Castle

1988
Family Fantasy
83 min G USA
4 / 10
6.1 IMDB

Boy turns seven, and is flown to Magic Castle by Harry Houdini to battle an evil magician and his young protégé.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Icek Tenenbaum
Starring
Arte Johnson / Matt Shakman / Blackie Dammett / John Franklin / Max Thayer / Ninon Aprea / Gregory Niebel / Nancy Skelton

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

whimsical peculiar intriguing uneven earnest fantastical charming curious magical adventurous dated unique

Reviews

I
Isabelle Moreau
May 19, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

This film is a curious artifact of magical cinema. 'A Night at the Magic Castle' casts a spell with its premise of a young boy’s magical destiny, orchestrated by the legendary Harry Houdini. The performances are earnest, with…

M
Marcus Thorne
May 19, 2026
2.5 / 5
2.5

'A Night at the Magic Castle' presents a bold, if somewhat unwieldy, narrative. The concept of a boy being summoned by Harry Houdini to duel an evil magician is certainly attention-grabbing. The cast, including Arte Johnson, Matt Shakman,…

G
Genevieve Dubois
May 19, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

There's an undeniable, almost dreamlike quality to 'A Night at the Magic Castle.' The central conceit – a seventh birthday leading to an encounter with Houdini and a magical showdown – is pure cinematic fantasy. The performances, particularly…

A
Arthur Pendelton
May 19, 2026
2.0 / 5
2.0

One approaches 'A Night at the Magic Castle' with a certain curiosity, primarily due to its eccentric plot. The film attempts to weave a tale of youthful heroism within the hallowed halls of magic, bringing in historical figures…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 19, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

A peculiar charm emanates from 'A Night at the Magic Castle,' a film that leans heavily into its fantastical premise. The journey of a young boy to the iconic Magic Castle, courtesy of Harry Houdini no less, for…

FAQs

The inclusion of actors like Arte Johnson, known for his comedic timing, alongside performers such as Matt Shakman, Blackie Dammett, John Franklin, and Max Thayer, suggests a potentially diverse range of performances. Johnson's presence might inject moments of levity or eccentric charm, while the others could embody the more serious or mysterious aspects of the magical conflict. This blend of talent hints at a film that could offer both lightheartedness and genuine dramatic tension within its fantastical narrative.