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IMDbPro

Svengali

  • 19311931
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
2K
YOUR RATING
John Barrymore and Marian Marsh in Svengali (1931)
  • Drama
  • Horror
  • Romance
Through hypnotism and telepathic mind control, a sinister music maestro controls the singing voice, but not the heart, of the woman he loves.Through hypnotism and telepathic mind control, a sinister music maestro controls the singing voice, but not the heart, of the woman he loves.Through hypnotism and telepathic mind control, a sinister music maestro controls the singing voice, but not the heart, of the woman he loves.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Archie Mayo
  • Writers
    • George L. Du Maurier(novel "Trilby")
    • J. Grubb Alexander(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • John Barrymore
    • Marian Marsh
    • Donald Crisp
Top credits
  • Director
    • Archie Mayo
  • Writers
    • George L. Du Maurier(novel "Trilby")
    • J. Grubb Alexander(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • John Barrymore
    • Marian Marsh
    • Donald Crisp
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 53User reviews
    • 32Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 2 nominations total

    Photos35

    "Svengali" John Barrymore 1931 Warner Bros. **I.V.
    "Svengali" John Barrymore 1931 Warner / **I.V.
    John Barrymore and Marian Marsh in Svengali (1931)
    John Barrymore in Svengali (1931)
    John Barrymore, Luis Alberni, Bramwell Fletcher, and Marian Marsh in Svengali (1931)
    John Barrymore, Bramwell Fletcher, and Marian Marsh in Svengali (1931)
    John Barrymore in Svengali (1931)
    John Barrymore, Bramwell Fletcher, and Marian Marsh in Svengali (1931)
    John Barrymore and Carmel Myers in Svengali (1931)
    John Barrymore and Marian Marsh in Svengali (1931)
    John Barrymore in Svengali (1931)
    John Barrymore in Svengali (1931)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Barrymore
    John Barrymore
    • Svengali
    Marian Marsh
    Marian Marsh
    • Trilby O'Farrell
    Donald Crisp
    Donald Crisp
    • The Laird
    Bramwell Fletcher
    Bramwell Fletcher
    • Billie
    Carmel Myers
    Carmel Myers
    • Madame Honori
    Luis Alberni
    Luis Alberni
    • Gecko
    Lumsden Hare
    Lumsden Hare
    • Monsieur Taffy
    Paul Porcasi
    Paul Porcasi
    • Bonelli
    Ferike Boros
    Ferike Boros
    • Marta
    • (uncredited)
    Adrienne D'Ambricourt
    Adrienne D'Ambricourt
    • Mme. Vinard
    • (uncredited)
    Yola d'Avril
    Yola d'Avril
    • Maid
    • (uncredited)
    Rose Dione
    Rose Dione
    • Trilby's Mother
    • (uncredited)
    Julia Griffith
    • Concertgoer
    • (uncredited)
    Henry Otto
    Henry Otto
    • Man with Opera Glasses
    • (uncredited)
    Sam Savitsky
    • Townsman
    • (uncredited)
    Ellinor Vanderveer
    Ellinor Vanderveer
    • Concertgoer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Archie Mayo
    • Writers
      • George L. Du Maurier(novel "Trilby")
      • J. Grubb Alexander(screenplay) (dialogue)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This pre-Code film stirred controversy due its nude modeling scene featuring a teenage Marian Marsh. The actress wore a body stocking for the scene and, in the long shot where she runs from the room, an older body double was used instead of her.
    • Goofs
      After Billie vows to follow Svengali and regain Trilby's attentions, there is an article in a Naples newspaper titled "Opera News." The second paragraph reads thus: "Monsieur Bonelli states Monsieur Svengali has recovered from his illness."
    • Quotes

      Svengali: That might be as well to remember. There are more things in Heaven and Earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

    • Connections
      Featured in When the Talkies Were Young (1955)
    • Soundtracks
      Ben Bolt (Oh Don't You Remember)
      (uncredited)

      Music by Nelson Kneass

      Lyrics by Thomas Dunn English from his poem

      Performed by Marian Marsh

    User reviews53

    Review
    Top review
    Engaging production of George du Maurier's famous novel
    John Barrymore tackles the delicious role of Svengali, the evil musician who casts a spell over pretty young Trilby, an artist's model (portrayed by Marian Marsh). The chief reason to see Archie Mayo's production is the unique set design by Anton Grot (who, I am speculating, was rather inspired by The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari). Also of note are the splendid special effects, still impressive even after all these years. All of the hypnosis/possession sequences are remarkable, as great attention is paid to the piercing, penetrating eyes of Svengali as he mesmerizes the hapless ingenue. The weak link here is the lukewarm Bramwell Fletcher, playing Trilby's true love. He registers blandly, and behaves more as the passive mollycoddle than as the proactive hero.
    helpful•21
    1
    • pooch-8
    • Jan 5, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 22, 1931 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • Italian
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Свенгали
    • Filming locations
      • Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 21 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White

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    John Barrymore and Marian Marsh in Svengali (1931)
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