The Man Who Could Work Miracles (1936)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Lothar Mendes

Writers:

H.G. Wells (short story)
H.G. Wells (scenario and dialogue)

Release Date:

19 February 1937 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy

Plot:

An ordinary man suddenly finds that anything he says comes true. Or at least, almost anything!

Plot Keywords:

Miracle | San Francisco | Clerk | Unrequited Love | Wish

Cast

Roland Young	...	George McWhirter Fotheringay
Ralph Richardson	...	Colonel Winstanley
Edward Chapman	...	Major Grigsby
Ernest Thesiger	...	Maydig
Joan Gardner	...	Ada Price
Sophie Stewart	...	Maggie Hooper
Robert Cochran	...	Bill Stoker
Lady Tree	...	Grigsby's Housekeeper
Laurence Hanray	...	Mr. Bamfylde
George Zucco	...	Moody - Col. Winstanley's Butler
Wallace Lupino	...	Constable Winch (as Wally Lupino)
Joan Hickson	...	Effie
Wally Patch	...	Police Supt. Smithelle
Mark Daly	...	Toddy Beamish
George Sanders	...	Indifference

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Noiseless Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Finland:S | USA:Unrated | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

London Film Productions

Trivia:

The first film of Nigel Stock.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the conversation with Maydig down by the river, Fotheringay places his cane on the log and rests his hands on it and also takes his cane off the log. There are several discrepancies in the relative positions of Fotheringay, Maydig and the cane in the cuts between these shots. There are also shots of each character by himself which it would be impossible to take if they were actually in the positions shown in the wider shots.

Quotes:

George McWhirter Fotheringay: You just stand there looking lovely, until I notice you!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Boxcar Bertha (1972)

Fantastic movie

I saw this movie a couple of years ago when I couldn't get to sleep. I stuck the TV on and this film was just starting.

It's about a guy who gets the power to do whatever he wants, except change peoples feelings or minds.

Think Bruce Almighty made in the 1930's.

I would give this movie a 10, but nothings perfect and the fact that it wouldn't appeal to a mass audience today has forced me to put an 8.

Please watch this film if you ever get the chance. HG wells does a brilliant job on writing this one, most of his stories were way before their time, and this is no different.

This film really captured my heart, and I really hope it gets a DVD release.