John Barrymore
Svengali
Similar Movies
Drama
Horror
Romance
A music maestro uses hypnotism on a young model he meets in Paris to make her both his muse and wife.
Top Billed Cast
| Release Date | 1931-05-20 |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 1h 21m |
| Directors | Archie Mayo, Barney McGill, Gordon Hollingshead |
| Producer | |
| Writers | J. Grubb Alexander, George du Maurier |
John Barrymore is super as the eponymous mystic composer who entrances "Trilby" (Marian Marsh) after she comes to his studio with a desire to be a star; and a tendency to have headaches. Soon his avarice is evident as he ruthlessly exploits his charge (despite/because of his unrequited love for her) - to attain fame and fortune. The story tells the rise and fall tale cleverly, and pacily - with some great contributions from the wily Donald Crisp as the tight-fisted but generous spirited "Laird" and Luis Alberni as his long suffering violinist "Gecko". Dewy-eyed Bramwell Fletcher as "Little Billee" is less convincing as her true love, but this is a great partial-adaptation of George Du Maurier's late 19th century tale of ambition, love and power.
— CinemaSerf