Black Magic (1949 film)

Black Magic also known as Cagliostro is a 1949 film adaptation of Alexandre Dumass novel Joseph Balsamo. It was directed by the Russianborn Gregory Ratoff and stars Orson Welles in the lead role as Joseph Balsamo aka 18th century hypnotist, magician and scam artist Count Cagliostro and Nancy Guild as LorenzaMarie Antoinette. Akim Tamiroff has a featured role.

The movie was originally known as Cagliostro. Producer Edward Small went through a number of directors and stars in trying to get this film off the ground, starting in 1943. Charles Boyer was to star with Akim Tamiroff, and Irving Pichel directing, then in early 1944 J. Carrol Naish was reported to play Alexandre Dumas, Sr. Later that year, George Sanders was announced as the star with Douglas Sirk directing. Louis Hayward was also at one stage announced to star.In 1943 Hedda Hopper suggested Orson Welles should play the lead role. He signed in September 1947. ........

Source: Wikipedia