Witch Hunt

News on Parade!

Magic comes to Tinseltown.

Not since this year's sensation,

a frozen 4 course meal on a tray,

have people and the press been caught up in such a frenzy.

Everybody wants more magic in their lives.

Licensed practitioners of magic are popping up like rabbits in a hat trick.

Don't like the look of your house?

This licensed practitioner will transform every room.

How's this for instant interior decorating?

There's even do-it-yourself magic.

Mr. and Mrs. America are getting into the act.

Say... looks like this youngster's really moving up.

Licensed magic practitioners and their products may be on the up and up,

but there are others who's use of magic is down and dirty!

Unlicensed, and underground. They represent magic's dark side.

That raised the suspicions of dynamic Senator Larson Crockett.

He's leading an anti-magic crusade!

His target: Tinseltown!

Senator Crockett's convinced that magic, licensed or unlicensed,

is un-American, infiltrating our lives, and undermining the American family.

Why work, why worship, if there's magic to make things easy?

For some of Hollywood's biggest stars and studio moguls, it's time to name names!

Politicians and prestidigitators at war.

Senator Crockett's political muscle verses magic in Hollywood.

From Magi California, this is News on Parade.

Magic.

Magic!

The word conjures images of sloth,

degeneracy, and corruption.

I brought my committee to Los Angeles where this plague began

- and I will not rest... - What's he getting so worked up about?

Ah, some people have a problem with magic.

What's to worry, I mean, it just makes things easier, right?

Never touch the stuff myself.

Humph...that's some lifeline you got there.

I got a good life.

Oh yeah, what's ya do?

I'm looking for somebody.

Someone in particular, or just someone with an interesting outlook on things?

Na, somebody in particular.

He owes his ex-wife $7,000 bucks!

He moved and forgot to drop the lady a card.

So what, the little woman hired you to find someone.

- What are you, a detective, or something? - Or something.

When you find the guy, you gonna break his legs?

Thanks for the conversation.

- Oh, thank you, and take a card. - Don't mind if I do.

Me, I'm old fashioned

Man makes a promise, I figure he should keep it.

You talking to me?

There's a lady who'd like to have a few words with you, Sidney!

She got the last penny she's ever gonna get from me.

I don't think so.

That's $7,000 bucks back alimony to you!

Sidney, your wife and wants to see you.

It started off small,

it wasn't a conspiracy or anything, it was like a,

it was just like a fad!

Somebody bent a spoon,

or levitated their dog.

Next thing you knew, it was starting to spread.

Pretty soon the whole neighborhood was doing it.

And in a little while,

it was all over the place,

like a Tupperware party

That's him, that's the louse!

You're walking pretty straight for a man with no backbone.

I'm gonna let you two lovebirds have some time alone.

Get in! Now!

Good luck, Sidney.

Why didn't you just shoot me?

Still, I never thought it was evil.

It was just natural. It's human curiosity.

At worst, I thought it was a crutch.

Magic can make people lazy,

and if you're not careful,

it can creep up on ya.

Instead of taking out the trash,

the trash takes out itself.

Instead of washing the dishes, you just encourage them.

Nobody sees it happen to them,

it just happens

So it makes my job a little tougher,

but it's nothing to get hysterical about.

Last year, it was hula hoops, and Senator Crockett

never held congressional hearings about that.

Sure, I get tempted to use it, who doesn't?

But in my business, it's better just to work clean.

I knew a private eye

who hired a witch to put a tail on a guy,

and the poor bastard had to have it surgically removed.

Some things just aren't worth it.

Mr. Lovecraft?

I'm Kim Hudson.

You're in the movies.

Which one of my efforts have you seen?

I don't remember the title.

You were in a bathtub full of bubbles,

and you had your,

big toe stuck in a faucet.

Let's do it.

The name of the picture!

Let's do it.

It was a very sophisticated comedy.

You know the part I liked best,

when the fat plumber came in.

So...

What can I do you for, Miss Hudson?

Actually, it's Mrs. Gotlieb.

I'm married to N.J. Gotlieb.

The producer?

There's only one.

And, I have reason to believe he's being unfaithful to me.

What sort of reason?

Nicky's producing my new picture at Palisade.

He hired a girl for a walk-on,

but her part keeps getting

bigger and bigger.

Now, you'd have to be as dumb as I look, not to figure it out.

Forty-five dollars a day, plus gas and expenses.

Just give me something solid I can take to my lawyers.

I'm sure, whatever he's up to,

it'll be cheap,

tawdry,

and decidedly third rate.

Please.

We gather together and close this circle to repute the whispers in the darkness.

Cord stronger than a thread,

rope stronger than a cord.

A pledge,

a bond,

a sacrifice.

- Hi, Phil. - Trudy.

Come to join the coven?

Not today, angel.

Anytime you want, Phil. Anytime at all.

You be careful what you wish for.

Who's that producer your working for at Palisade?

- N.J. Gotlieb. - That's the right one.

- I'm on my way there right now. - You want a lift?

Thank you.

What's the story on Gotlieb?

He's short.

You have to be careful with short men.

Their auras are compressed.

Is he the sort of man who would cheat on his wife?

Only if it occurred to him?

What is that stuff?

You really don't want to know.

Watch your step, sir.

We all set?

I'm ready.

All right!

Hit it!

Mr. Gotlieb.

Have you got any gold fillings in your teeth?

- What's it to you? - Nothing,

it's just that they tend to melt if you stand too close.

Mind your teeth.

Fair is foul and foul is fair.

Hover through the fog, and the filthy air!

What place is this?

Welcome to Hollywood.

Holly...wood?

I got a couple of people I'd like you to say hello to.

I-I, am N.J. Gotlieb.

This is Miss. Tracy Pinkem, really something special.

Absolutely love your stuff, when Nicky said you'd be doing my additional dialogue

Okay. Okay!

This is Malcolm Purdy.

- Head of production. - Mr. Shakespeare, what an honor.

- Armand Vacuole, business affairs. - How do you do.

- Ah, ah, Jim and Ted. - Ted and Jim, actually.

Yeah, whatever!

Great writers. They'll help you over the bumps.

Ah! Trevor Bunt, best director in town!

And, Mr. Frank Krusnik, of the William Morris agency.

Who are you?

Oh! I'm-I'm-I'm with the witch.

Ah, excuse me a second, will you, Bill.

Somebody get Bill here a parking space.

Paint over whats-his-name, that Nobel prize guy.

Finn Macha.

Moses on a pony, if it isn't Phil Lovecraft.

Well, how's the world treating you, Dickface?

I thought you were in Chicago.

I miss the friendly people,

and the orange groves.

What are you doing for Gotlieb?

Privileged information.

But from one lodge member to another,

he called me in as a security consultant and expeditor.

I tie up loose ends.

It seems to me they're still looking for a couple of people you expedited.

Are you still chasing naughty husbands, Dickface?

And drying the tears of those poor lonely wifey-poos?

Tell me something.

Honestly.

Do I look like I have a dick on my face?