I remember seeing something a couple of years ago about one of my favorite actors, John Malkovich, starring in a movie about magicians. But somehow I missed it. What was it, and can you tell me anything about it?
—Ann Dunn, Briarcliff, Texas
You’re thinking of The Great Buck Howard, in which the versatile actor portrayed a magician and mentalist loosely based on the real-life George Joseph Kresge, who became popular in the 1970s as The Amazing Kreskin. The 2008 movie also starred Colin Hanks, the son of Tom Hanks, who also appeared briefly, and featured a supporting role by Ricky Jay, a real magician. The film’s director and writer, Sean McGinly, once worked as Kreskin’s road manager.