Product Details

• Actors: Sid Caesar, Sam Waterston, Dick Cavett, Helen Shaver, Leo Rossi
• Directors: Martin Scorsese, Stephen Spielberg, Paul Michael Glaser, Donald Petrie
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MCA/Universal Television
• VHS Release Date: August 11, 1993
• Run Time: 71 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302277744
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,993 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This fourth volume of collected episodes from Steven Spielberg's 1980s anthology television series begins with some heavyweight talent. Martin Scorsese directs "Mirror Mirror," arguably the most frightening and accomplished episode from the show's entire run. Sam Waterston plays a wildly successful horror novelist who claims never to be frightened of the same scary stories that unnerve ordinary mortals. So he begins living one of his own, and terrifying it is: whenever he looks in a mirror or other reflective surface, Waterston's character sees a hideous ghoul stalking him, prepared for murder. The trouble is that there is no corresponding danger in the real world, although the ghoul is determined to get its hands on the beleaguered author.

Also on tap is "Blue Man Down," a solid action piece with supernatural overtones, written by Spielberg. Max Gail stars as a traumatized, guilt-ridden cop who blames himself for the murder of his young partner. His confidence shot and his nerves a wreck, the suffering hero attempts to hide within the lesser duties of traffic detail, only to find himself partnered with a compassionate, attractive female officer (Kate McNeil) who helps him get back on his feet and pushes him toward full duty again. The downside: no one else appears to see her. Actor-director Paul Michael Glaser does some of his best behind-the-camera work on this show.

Finally, Sid Caesar stars in "Mr. Magic," a sentimental tale of an aging, washed-up nightclub magician who purchases a set of cards with marvelous powers of flight. Rescued from the trash heap of small-time has-beens, Caesar's character gets a new lease on life when his cards take over the act, twirling, flying, mimicking people, and astounding audiences--with no help from Caesar. --Tom Keogh.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Barney Miller again, December 14, 2007

By 

R. Louie (Cinnaminson, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Amazing Stories: Book Four (Mirror Mirror, Blue Man Down, Mr. Magic) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

One of the stories in this epsisode of Amazing Stories is 'Blue Man Down'. It stars Max Gail, who played Wojo on the Barney Miller TV series. I first saw it when it was playing in prime-time. It's an excellent story and has just a touch of paranormal to it. The female lead is also very good and one of the reasons I searched out this episode.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Genuinely Frightening Excursion, February 4, 2001

By 

Reginald D. Garrard "the G-man" (Camilla, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amazing Stories: Book Four (Mirror Mirror, Blue Man Down, Mr. Magic) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

It was probably "Amazing Stories" schizophrenic nature - amusing family-oriented fare coupled with more mature offerings - that led to the show only lasting one season. An example of the latter is "Mirror, Mirror," a scary story about a Stephen King-like author "stalked" by a mystery figure similar to one of the characters of his novels. Only the author, well-played by a pre-"Law & Order" Sam Waterson can see the spectre until the story's final few seconds. If the show had stuck to one genre, say of the horror/thriller vein, then it may have had a longer run. This reviewed story is, undeniably, one of the program's best.

The second installment in this tape benefits by being paired with this one.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars unsure of title, January 20, 2005

By 

babs "rachael" (ny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amazing Stories: Book Four (Mirror Mirror, Blue Man Down, Mr. Magic) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I'm looking for the amazing stories where a tech guy is experimenting with potions and accidently spills some on a magaizine and the picture came to life,so he thought he could get a girl that way and the first 2 he did ended up becommming obsessed with him and chased him saying "kiss me kiss me" and the last girl he tried to get away from then decided he wanted to kisss he lost out because she kissed the pizza man and he got to take her home. the first woman was an amazon woman and the other and old woman, the 3rd was perfect. Ifa any one knows of this and how i can get it please e-mail me at [e-mail] thanks.