Something Wicked This Way Comes

“First of all, it was October, a rare time for boys…” so begins Ray Bradbury’s classic autumnal gothic novella about a malevolent carnival come to wreck havoc on a small, dysfunctional town. The 1962 book was originally written for the screen in the 1950’s, specifically for Gene Kelly, whose film failure of INVITATION TO THE DANCE led to a decades odyessy of directors interested in one of Bradbury’s most cinematic, melancholy tales. No wonder he named his iconic antagonist Mr. Dark. But the spirit of dusk, leaves, magic and Halloween is there also. It’s still my favorite Bradbury book.

After directors such as Sam Peckinpah and Steven Spielberg flirted with making it, subtle maestro Jack Clayton (THE INNOCENTS; ROOM AT THE TOP) finally helmed an apropos subtle version for Disney in 1983, who gutted his badly-previewed, special effects shy cut in favor of a very 80’s style spfx fest, replete with blue lightning bolts and what would have been the first CG integrated scene with the Pandemonium Carnival’s night arrival (later cut). The film is still effective and has a memorable performance in Jonathan Pryce as Mr. Dark and Jason Robards as Jim Nightshade’s father. Their verbal, metaphysical confrontation in a gothic library is the film’s high point. There’s a good eclectic supporting cast, including Pam Grier as The Dust Witch. Here’s Ray Bradbury discussing the film at a screening at the Egyptian Theatre. And to officially kick off October, here’s the cool trailer…