{"id":5867,"date":"2008-08-10T19:02:23","date_gmt":"2008-08-11T02:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5867"},"modified":"2020-12-14T15:14:50","modified_gmt":"2020-12-14T22:14:50","slug":"mad-genius-the-1931","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5867","title":{"rendered":"Mad Genius, The (1931)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I will create my own being: that boy! That boy will be my counterpart, he shall be what I should have been.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Poster-188x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"188\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-22564\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Poster-188x300.jpg 188w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Poster-80x128.jpg 80w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Poster.jpg 376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 188px) 100vw, 188px\" \/><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA crippled puppeteer (John Barrymore) named Tsarakov channels his desire for fame as a dancer into an adopted young boy (Frankie Darro); but his unwillingness to allow grown Fedor (Donald Cook) a chance for love with a beautiful ballerina (Marian Marsh) leads to tragic consequences.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Aspiring Stars<\/li>\n<li>Boris Karloff Films<\/li>\n<li>Corruption<\/li>\n<li>Dancers<\/li>\n<li>John Barrymore Films<\/li>\n<li>Michael Curtiz Films<\/li>\n<li>Play Adaptations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nWarner Brothers&#8217; follow-up to the box office success of <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=11677\"><em>Svengali<\/em> (1931)<\/a> afforded John Barrymore another scenery-chewing role as a demented impresario who will stop at nothing to achieve his dreams of fame and fortune. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore4-1024x618.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"386\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-57823\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore4-1024x618.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore4-300x181.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore4-128x77.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore4-768x464.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore4-1536x927.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore4-447x270.png 447w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore4.png 1671w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While the story itself feels somewhat contrived &#8212; after all, what proof does Tsarakov have that Fedor&#8217;s &#8220;serious&#8221; relationship with Nana (Marsh) will ruin his chances for success? &#8212; Barrymore remains a pleasure to watch, and Barney McGill&#8217;s shadowy cinematography creates an appropriately stylized air of imminent doom. Cook, unfortunately, is instantly forgettable as Tsarakov&#8217;s young protegee (perhaps he was intentionally cast as someone without much personality?):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cook2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cook2-1024x638.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"399\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-57825\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cook2-1024x638.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cook2-300x187.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cook2-128x80.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cook2-768x478.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cook2-1536x957.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cook2-434x270.png 434w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cook2.png 1649w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>but Marsh is at least beautiful to look at, and Luis Alberni as Tsarakov&#8217;s drug-addicted musical director is appropriately over-the-top. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Alberni.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Alberni-1024x642.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"401\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-57826\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Alberni-1024x642.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Alberni-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Alberni-128x80.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Alberni-768x481.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Alberni-1536x963.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Alberni-431x270.png 431w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Alberni.png 1635w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Film fanatics take note: Boris Karloff appears briefly in the beginning of the story as Fedor&#8217;s abusive father, though only his distinctive voice emerges as proof that he&#8217;s part of the proceedings.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> It&#8217;s always enjoyable to look for evidence of &#8220;Pre-Code&#8221; sensibilities in early Hollywood films; the following comment &#8212; made by Nana&#8217;s new lover, Count Renaud (Andre Luguet), as they travel together on a train for the first time &#8212; is a good example: <\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Listen to this one, Nana: It was their wedding night. The timid bride knelt by their bedside, saying her prayers. The Groom waited patiently beside her. At last she said, &#8220;And now I lay me down to sleep,&#8221; and the groom said, &#8220;Oh, yeah?&#8221; Good, eh? <\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>John Barrymore as Tsarakov<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore2-1024x632.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"395\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-57829\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore2-1024x632.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore2-300x185.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore2-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore2-768x474.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore2-1536x948.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore2-437x270.png 437w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Barrymore2.png 1654w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Barney McGill&#8217;s atmospheric cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cinematography2-1024x654.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"409\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-57827\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cinematography2-1024x654.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cinematography2-300x192.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cinematography2-128x82.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cinematography2-768x491.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cinematography2-1536x981.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cinematography2-423x270.png 423w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Cinematography2.png 1617w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>A refreshingly risque pre-Code script<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Pre-Code.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Pre-Code-1024x619.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"387\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-57828\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Pre-Code-1024x619.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Pre-Code-300x181.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Pre-Code-128x77.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Pre-Code-768x464.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Pre-Code-1536x928.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Pre-Code-447x270.png 447w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/Mad-Genius-Pre-Code.png 1683w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s certainly worth a look. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0022103\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1931\/10\/24\/archives\/the-screen-john-barrymores-new-role-another-good-bad-man-madame.html\">NY Times Original Review (spoilers alert)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fantasticmoviemusings.com\/2015\/07\/26\/the-mad-genius-1931\/\">SciFilm Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/horror\/mad-genius-1931.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/1909\/the-mad-genius#articles-reviews?articleId=184986\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I will create my own being: that boy! That boy will be my counterpart, he shall be what I should have been.&#8221; Synopsis: A crippled puppeteer (John Barrymore) named Tsarakov channels his desire for fame as a dancer into an adopted young boy (Frankie Darro); but his unwillingness to allow grown Fedor (Donald Cook) a chance for love with a beautiful ballerina (Marian Marsh) leads to tragic consequences. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Aspiring Stars Boris Karloff Films Corruption Dancers&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5867\"> 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-5867","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\/5867","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=5867"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5867\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57830,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5867\/revisions\/57830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}