Svengali (1931)
Overview
A music maestro uses hypnotism on a young model he meets in Paris to make her both his muse and wife.
Cast
John Barrymore
Svengali
Marian Marsh
Trilby O'Farrell
Donald Crisp
The Laird
Bramwell Fletcher
Billee
Carmel Myers
Madame Honori
Luis Alberni
Gecko
Lumsden Hare
Monsieur Taffy
Paul Porcasi
Bonelli
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CinemaSerf
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.
