About Cast a Deadly Spell

"Cast a Deadly Spell" is a 1991 horror/noir television film directed by Martin Campbell. It is set in a paranormal version of 1948 Los Angeles, where magic is common and normalized. The film centers around private detective Harry Philip Lovecraft, who refuses to use magic. Lovecraft is hired by a mysterious client to find a stolen book - the Necronomicon, which is a powerful, dangerous spellbook.

Making / Production

This Lovecraftian film, produced by Gale Anne Hurd, was initially intended for cinematic release. However, it eventually became a television movie. The script was penned by Joseph Dougherty and the cinematographic elements were managed by Alexander Gruszynski. This Los Angeles noir film combined elements of horror, fantasy, and detective genres.

Actors

• Fred Ward, playing the role of Harry Philip Lovecraft, perfectly embodies the hard-boiled detective who refuses to use magic in a magical world.
• Julianne Moore played the role of Connie Stone, Lovecraft's former girlfriend, bringing emotional depth and charm to her character.
• Clancy Brown portrayed Harry Bordon, a wealthy man who hires Lovecraft, with an imposing presence and nuanced performance.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film's title is a pun on the famous song "Cast A Giant Shadow" by John Williams.
• This film marks an early role for future Academy Award nominee Julianne Moore.
• The character Harry Philip Lovecraft is named after famous horror writer H.P. Lovecraft, whose works form the backbone of the film's mythos.

Awards

There is no record of any awards won by "Cast a Deadly Spell."

Quotes

• Lovecraft: "In a world where any mug could be a wizard and every gutter had a fairy, I had to stay one step ahead."
• Connie Stone: "You always did like living in the past, Lovecraft."
• Harry Bordon: "Knowledge is power, Mr. Lovecraft. But power is only as useful as one's ability to control it."

• The film's score was composed by Curt Sobel, providing a noir feel to the paranormal Los Angeles setting.
• The soundtrack includes music tracks used to evoke the film's 1948 setting, with popular songs of the era.