THE MIDAS TOUCH (1997)
“The Midas Touch,” a 1997 family fantasy film directed by Peter Manoogian and produced by Charles Band’s Kushner-Locke partnership, follows 12-year-old Billy Bright (Trever O’Brien), an orphan living with his ailing grandmother (Danna Hansen). Bullied by classmate Leon (Joey Simmrin), who forces Billy to do his homework, Billy dreams of wealth to fund his grandmother’s heart treatment. On a dare, he enters a local “witch house,” meeting Madame Latimer (Shannon Welles), a mysterious woman who grants him one wish. Inspired by the King Midas tale, Billy chooses the power to turn everything he touches into gold, hoping to solve his financial woes.
Initially thrilled, Billy turns objects like his gerbil and a pencil into gold, impressing his friend Hannah (Ashley Tesoro). But the gift sours fast—his touch becomes a curse when he accidentally transforms living things, drawing the attention of greedy pawnshop owners (Marla Cotovsky, David Jeremiah) eager to exploit his power. As chaos mounts, Billy realizes he’s endangered his grandmother and must undo the wish. With Hannah and a reluctant Leon, he confronts Madame Latimer, learning the ability can’t be reversed but can be controlled with discipline. In a slapstick-laden climax, they outwit the pawnshop duo, who tumble comically in pursuit of gold, and Billy masters his touch to save his grandmother’s life without losing her.
Shot in Bucharest doubling as an American town, the film’s low-budget charm shines through modest effects—like gold-painted props—and a lively young cast. Critics found it predictable and tame compared to Manoogian’s wilder ’80s works, but its heartwarming focus on family and unintended consequences resonates. A quirky Moonbeam-era Full Moon production, “The Midas Touch” blends gentle humor and moral lessons, making it a nostalgic, if slight, ’90s kids’ flick.
