"Something Wicked This Way Comes" released 1983

Walt Disney Studios' unusually dark horror fantasy movie Something This Way Comes premiered in US theatres April 29, 1983.  Based on a Ray Bradbury story of the same name, the story follows a strange carnival with its spooky ring master Mr. Dark, played by Jonathan Pryce, that arrives in a small town in the early 1900s.  The carnival grants wishes but at a serious cost.

It also stars Jason Robards, Diane Ladd, Pam Grier, and James Stacy.

It opened to to mixed reviews, but mostly negative.  It was a box-office failure, grossing $8.4M on its $20M budget.  It did win two Saturn Awards, one for Best Fantasy Film, and Best Writing for Ray Bradbury, who wrote the screenplay as well.  Jonathan Pryce was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.  James Horner was nominated for Best Music.  It was nominated for Best Costumes for Ruth Myers, Best Make-up for Gary Liddiard and James Scribner, and Special Effects for Lee Dyer.

Ray Bradbury, science fiction author, born 1920

Ray Bradbury, born August 22, 1920, is one of the most prolific and successful science fiction authors ever.  He started writing at the age of 18, publishing stories in fanzines.  Many of his works, such as The Martian Chronicles, Something Wicked This Way Comes and Fahrenheit 451, have been translated into movies and television

I remember watching The Martian Chronicles in high school, during a three-day stretch when I wasn't scheduled to work at the gas station.  It was my first exposure to Ray Bradbury and afterwards, I had to read the book.  Bradbury has been quoted as saying this production was "just boring" however, I enjoyed every minute of it.

Bradbury passed away June 5, 2012 in Los Angeles after a lengthy illness.

Here is a short clip from The Martian Chronicles with the incomparable Bernadette Peters.





https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Bradbury