Svengali

1931

1h 21m

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

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Drama

Horror

Romance

A music maestro uses hypnotism on a young model he meets in Paris to make her both his muse and wife.

Directors

Archie Mayo

Writers

J. Grubb Alexander(screenplay by)

George du Maurier(novel by)

Stars

John Barrymore

Marian Marsh

Donald Crisp

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Top cast

Svengali

Trilby O'Farrell

The Laird

Billee

Madame Honori

Gecko

Monsieur Taffy

Bonelli

Marta (uncredited)

Adrienne D'Ambricourt

Mme. Vinard (uncredited)

Yola d'Avril

Maid (uncredited)

Rose Dione

Trilby's Mother (uncredited)

Directors

Archie Mayo

Writers

J. Grubb Alexander(screenplay by)

George du Maurier(novel by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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.

Geronimo196713 Jun, 2022