{"id":46655,"date":"2020-03-07T23:08:58","date_gmt":"2020-03-08T06:08:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=46655"},"modified":"2020-11-23T17:51:09","modified_gmt":"2020-11-24T00:51:09","slug":"man-who-could-work-miracles-the-1936","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=46655","title":{"rendered":"Man Who Could Work Miracles, The (1936)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;If only one could work miracles&#8230; Just think of what you could do.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Poster-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-46657\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Poster-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Poster-85x128.jpg 85w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Poster.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen a British draper&#8217;s clerk (Roland Young) is suddenly able to work miracles, he seeks help from a colonel (Ralph Richardson) and a pacifist vicar (Ernest Thesiger) in making the world a better place.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fantasy<\/li>\n<li>George Sanders Films<\/li>\n<li>H.G. Wells Films<\/li>\n<li>Ralph Richardson Films<\/li>\n<li>Roland Young Films<\/li>\n<li>Supernatural Powers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nH.G. Wells scripted this fantastical morality tale (based on <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Man_Who_Could_Work_Miracles_(story)\">his own 1898 short story<\/a>) about the possibilities inherent in miracle-making &#8212; which inevitably run a certain course to doom. Wells carefully takes us through Young&#8217;s initial incredulity and enthusiasm:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young2-1024x647.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"404\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-54211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young2-1024x647.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young2-300x190.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young2-128x81.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young2-768x485.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young2-1536x970.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young2-427x270.png 427w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young2.png 1597w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>towards a muddled mess of decision-making and accidental outcomes, showing how easily people with power can be swayed both by others&#8217; advice, and their own sense of faux-grandiosity. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young-Throne.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young-Throne-1024x651.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"407\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-54214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young-Throne-1024x651.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young-Throne-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young-Throne-128x81.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young-Throne-768x489.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young-Throne-1536x977.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young-Throne-424x270.png 424w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Young-Throne.png 1605w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Young&#8217;s character is deliberately an &#8220;every man&#8221; &#8212; indeed, one with lust in his heart (for coworker Joan Gardner):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Gardner.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Gardner-1024x661.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"413\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-54212\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Gardner-1024x661.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Gardner-300x194.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Gardner-128x83.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Gardner-768x496.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Gardner-1536x991.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Gardner-418x270.png 418w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Gardner.png 1579w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>despite the presence of a &#8220;good woman&#8221; (Sophie Stewart) waiting by his side: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Stewart.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Stewart-1024x670.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"419\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-54213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Stewart-1024x670.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Stewart-300x196.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Stewart-128x84.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Stewart-768x502.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Stewart-1536x1004.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Stewart-413x270.png 413w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Stewart.png 1589w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s no surprise to see him struggling so mightily with his newfound ability. The entire tale is framed as the machinations of a trio of gods &#8212; Indifference (George Sanders &#8212; perfect casting), Player (Ivan Brandt), and Observer (Torin Thatcher) &#8212; overlooking the Earth and trying this exercise on for size: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Three-Gods.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Three-Gods-1024x664.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"415\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-54215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Three-Gods-1024x664.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Three-Gods-300x195.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Three-Gods-128x83.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Three-Gods-768x498.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Three-Gods-1536x996.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Three-Gods-416x270.png 416w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Three-Gods.png 1571w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; which brings to mind the structure of <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=44388\"><em>Jason and the Argonauts<\/em> (1963)<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An intriguing glimpse at what miraculous powers might wreak upon humanity<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Havoc.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Havoc.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1575\" height=\"1015\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-54217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Havoc.png 1575w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Havoc-300x193.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Havoc-1024x660.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Havoc-128x82.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Havoc-768x495.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Havoc-1536x990.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Man-Who-Could-Work-Miracles-Havoc-419x270.png 419w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1575px) 100vw, 1575px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, once, as a surprisingly thought-provoking fantasy. Listed in the back of Peary&#8217;s book as a film with Historical Importance and a Personal Recommendation. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?page_id=1784#goodshow\">Good Show<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0029201\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/fantasy\/man-who-could-work-miracles-1937.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=106&#038;aff=13\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.screenonline.org.uk\/film\/id\/472462\/index.html\">ScreenOnline Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1937\/02\/22\/archives\/the-screen-mr-wells-in-the-man-who-could-work-miracles-finds-were.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;If only one could work miracles&#8230; Just think of what you could do.&#8221; Synopsis: When a British draper&#8217;s clerk (Roland Young) is suddenly able to work miracles, he seeks help from a colonel (Ralph Richardson) and a pacifist vicar (Ernest Thesiger) in making the world a better place. Genres: Fantasy George Sanders Films H.G. Wells Films Ralph Richardson Films Roland Young Films Supernatural Powers Review: H.G. Wells scripted this fantastical morality tale (based on his own 1898 short story) about&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=46655\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46655","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=46655"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46655\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54218,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46655\/revisions\/54218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=46655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=46655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=46655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}