Through hypnotism and telepathic mind control, a sinister music maestro controls the singing voice, but not the heart, of the woman he loves.
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Title: Svengali (1931)
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Nominated for
2
Oscars.
See more awards »
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Cast
| Complete credited 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 | |
Learn more
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Edit
Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
Sinister music maestro Svengali can control the actions of women through hypnotism and his telepathic powers. When a pupil he has seduced announces she has left her husband for him, he uses his powers to cause her suicide and promptly forgets her. He meets a beautiful model, Trilby, and becomes infatuated with her, but she, in turn, falls for a young artist called Billee who also loves her. One day Svengali hypnotizes Trilby to cure her headache, but also examines her upper palate and decides it is an ideal cavity for great singing. He convinces her to fake her suicide, so Billee and friends will forget her, and goes on a singing tour with her. Svengali uses his powers to make her sing wonderfully and Madame Svengali, as Trilby is now known, becomes a sensation throughout Europe. But Billee discovers the ruse and begins to follow the pair, upsetting Svengali enough to have him cancel performances too frequently, so they no longer can perform in Europe. They go to Egypt, but Billee ... Written by Arthur Hausner <genart@volcano.net>
Taglines:
Weirdest romance ever pictured! With the screen's genius and his new find. See more »Parents Guide:
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Did You Know?
Trivia
In Svengali, John Barrymore became one of the first actors to wear contact lenses in motion pictures. The lenses were one of the earliest versions of hard contacts. Although clumsy and uncomfortable to wear, the lenses added a supernatural element to his performance. See more »Goofs
In the opening scene we see a late C19th pianoforte but we hear a modern (1931) concert grand. See more »Quotes
Svengali: That might be as well to remember. There are more things in Heaven and Earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy.See more »
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
22 May 1931 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Svengali See more »Filming Locations:
Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USACompany Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
VitaphoneColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
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An exceptional classic film. In a storyline very similar to Dracula, the strange Maestro Svengali (John Barrymore) falls in love with a young girl (Marian Marsh) and uses his powers of hypnotism and mind control to seduce her. Erie, eye catching, strangely romantic and a little twisted, Svengali was everything Dracula should have been. The film is a masterpiece of visuals. The slanted, disproportionate sets and imaginative camera work give many scenes a dreamlike feel. John Barrymore is perfect as the title character. He does not play Svengali as a flatly evil man, but gives him charm, humor and vulnerability. He causes us to pity him for his unrequited love almost more than we fear him for his actions. The talent of the supporting cast does not go to waste either. Marian Marsh gives a good performance as Trilby, the object of Svengali's desire, and Donald Crisp and Luis Alberni provide some comic relief as a couple of struggling artists. Complete with a dark, somewhat open ending, this movie has all the right touches. Svengali is better and more effective than a horror movie without quite being one itself.