Ruined with Alison Leiby and Halle Kiefer Ruined with Alison Leiby and Halle Kiefer

Magic (1978)

Sep 1, 2026 · 1h 33m

Summary

Hosts Alison Leiby and Halle Kiefer reunite in person to review the 1978 horror film *Magic*, starring a young Anthony Hopkins. They discuss the plot, which follows a ventriloquist whose dummy, Fats, becomes increasingly aggressive and sexually charged. The episode covers the film’s production history, including Golden Globe nominations and plagiarism accusations, while analyzing the psychological horror of Corky’s deteriorating mental state.

Topics discussed

Sponsor: Progressive Name Your Price Intro: Welcome to Ruined Theme: Do Not Quit Your Day Job Discussion: Ventriloquists in Pop Culture Cast: Anthony Hopkins and Anne Margaret Context: William Goldman and Dead of Night Analysis: The Dummy as Id Chat: Dumb Deaths and Subway Fears Game: Guessing the Movie Twist Sponsor: Shopify Scene: Opening and Corky's Set Scene: Corky's Humiliating Performance Scene: The Heckler and Merlin Scene: Corky Screams at the Crowd Scene: Ben Green's Interest Scene: Magic is Misdirection Scene: The Heckler Reveal Scene: Fats' Inappropriate Jokes Scene: Card Trick and Variety Show Scene: Meeting the Agents Scene: New York and the Valet Scene: Refusing the Medical Exam Scene: The Corky Joke Scene: The Cab Ride Home Analysis: Trauma and the Dummy Chat: Getting on Carson Scene: The Cab Driver's Gossip Scene: Arriving at the Camp Analysis: The Dummy as Vice Scene: Peggy's Backstory Scene: Corky Enters with Fats Scene: Holding Fats and the Lever Scene: Corky's Rags to Riches Story Scene: Duke and the Divorce Scene: Corky in the Bathroom Chat: Monitoring the Dummy Scene: Merlin's Telepathy Story Chat: Belief in Psychic Connections Scene: The Failed Card Reading Scene: The Second Attempt Scene: The Kiss and the Bed Scene: Fats' Harmonica Soundtrack Scene: Corky's Excitement and Fats' Blues Scene: The Screaming Match Scene: Ben Green's Arrival Scene: Puppet Psychosis Diagnosis Scene: The Medical Exam Scene: Arguing with the Puppet Scene: The Silent Stare Down Scene: Fats' Threats Scene: Duke's Injury and Dinner Scene: Fats' Murder Command Scene: Watching from the Window Scene: Duke's STD Joke Scene: The Abandoned Car Scene: The Phone Call and Redemption Sponsor: Rocket Mortgage Scene: Duke Confronts Peggy Scene: The Boat Ride Scene: Ben's Corpse Scene: The Kiss of Life Scene: The Switchblade Stab Scene: Corky's Explanation Scene: The Paris Argument Scene: Fats' Jealousy Scene: Why You Can't Stop Me Scene: The Puppet Takes Control Scene: Fats at the Door Scene: The Blood-Covered Knife Scene: The Ending and Wooden Heart Outro: Final Thoughts Sponsor: Mint Mobile
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