MovieChat Forums > Terror Train (1980) Discussion > The amazing David Copperfield!

The amazing David Copperfield!

posted 17 years ago by IrishLass240
11 replies | jump to latest

I thought David Copperfield was a great addition to this movie. Did you know he was 24 when he acted in Terror Train? He had already been performing magic for over twelve years by then! Terror Train is the only movie he has ever acted in. Not only did he act, but he created most of the special effects. Does anyone know how he was convinced to take part in this movie? I'd love to know!

What do you all think his best trick was? I loved his levitation routine.

IrishLass

"He was a bad man. a very bad man, so I put his head on the Jack-in-the-box so everyone could see".

(Billy Mumy/Anthony)
"Please son, send him to the cornfield, please." (Twilight Zone, "It's a Good Life")

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[–] phyrkrakr 16 years ago

That levitation trick is old skool magic that I think Houdini (or others of his generation) did. Basically, it's an S-shaped bar/platform combo and the girl uses a long flowing dress to cover up the platform. The hoop passes in one direction up the S bend, then comes back around the other way.

Don't know how he did it with the girl disappearing at the end, but I assume at least a few of his magic tricks had some movie magic (editing tricks) added in.

I liked the card tricks best, personally. That takes a lot of manual dexterity to do right.

[–] IrishLass240 16 years ago

Thanks for the great feedback on the levitation trick. I've always wondered how that was done. It's too bad that David hasn't acted in other movies. He has a great screen presence.

Take care!

Sheila

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] JustPassingTime 16 years ago

Now, now... be nice. She obviously has a crush on that tool.

[–] Solid_Gold 16 years ago

He looked so hot in this movie!

If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten

[–] IrishLass240 16 years ago

I agree! He's not only an excellent magician, but a very handsome man! Wish he had done more movies.

[–] Mr_Blonde3 12 years ago

The film itself may not be the best of the genre, but it does get a number of added points for featuring David Copperfield. Not only is he a great addition to the cast, but it makes it stand out somewhat from other films.

I love to love my Lisa.

[–] TampaOutlaw84 9 years ago

I would guess he mainly did it for more publicty.

[–] WarpedRecord 8 years ago

He was a superb addition to the cast, but I have to say his presence felt like a bit of a gimmick here, an attempt to mask the lack of momentum in this film.

[–] PaladinNJ (20308) 6 months ago

I think he was meant as a distraction. A lot of people watching the movie kept following him leaving the producers to hide the killer in plain sight.

[–] Woodyanders 7 years ago

David Copperfield played his red herring role quite well and his magic act was fun to watch.

I've been chasing grace/ But grace ain't easy to find