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Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:
- Donald Crisp Films
- Horror Films
- John Barrymore Films
- Mind Control and Hypnosis
- Obsessive Love
Response to Peary’s Review:
Peary argues that “John Barrymore gave one of his finest screen performances in this unusual adaptation of George du Maurier’s classic novel Trilby” — but I can’t quite agree. While he is indeed “menacing” and “sleazy” (not to mention “in-need-of-a-bath”), Barrymore’s performance, perhaps not surprisingly, far too often borders on hammy. Much more impressive is beautiful Marian Marsh as Trilby, the object of his obsessive desires; from the moment she appears on-screen, Marsh radiates a unique, surprisingly modern energy — making it easy to see why both Svengali and Fletcher’s “Billee” would fall so hard for her. Unfortunately, the “racy” narrative comes across today as dated and largely uninteresting, with occasional bursts of creative energy (i.e., Svengali’s initial hypnosis session with Marsh) adding some much-needed horror and thrills to the proceedings. Anton Grot’s Oscar-nominated, highly expressionistic sets are also noteworthy, though they give the film an undeniably stagy feel. As Peary notes, the “depressing ending” does indeed come as a bit of a surprise.
Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
- Marian Marsh as Trilby
- The eerily effective hypnosis scene
- Expressionistic art direction
Must See?
No, though it’s worth a look simply for its historical value, and to see Marsh’s performance.
Links:
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One thought on “Svengali (1931)”
Hopelessly hokey. Weak script. Nothing of note here, particularly.
I can’t say I fell under Marian Marsh’s spell. In the early part of the film, though she may have a bit of a “modern energy”, she still comes off as rather amateurish. Later, when hypnotized, she shows a bit of range – but I wasn’t much moved.
Without knowing it, Barrymore appears to be rehearsing for another Svengali(-ish) role he would play three years later in the screwball classic, ‘Twentieth Century’: better co-star, script, director, everything. And, in ‘TC’, what Barrymore brings to the role is much better suited to the material.
This film seems to want to be more of a horror film (what with Svengali’s ghoulish, gothic eyes and all). But no one seems to have mentioned to Barrymore that he is, in fact, in horror territory, so his performance is at odds with the genre. But then, there’s not much by way of established tone to this movie either.
Oh…there is one fave (camera) moment: In his bedroom late at night, Svengali wills Trilby to come to him. This silent call to Trilby is sent clear to the other side of town – to her bedroom – and the camera follows over rooftops until the call reaches her.