The Man Who Could Work Miracles (1936)

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

Directors:

Lothar Mendes, Alexander Korda (uncredited)

Writers:

H.G. Wells (scenario), H.G. Wells (dialogue)

Stars:

Roland Young, Ralph Richardson, Edward Chapman

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
Lawrence Hanray	...	Mr. Bamfylde
George Zucco	...	The Colonel's Butler
Wallace Lupino	...	Constable Winch (as Wally Lupino)
Joan Hickson	...	Effie
Wally Patch	...	Supt. Smithells
Mark Daly	...	Toddy Beamish
George Sanders	...	Indifference

Storyline

George McWhirter Fotheringay, while vigorously asserting the impossibility of miracles, suddenly discovers that he can perform them. After being thrown out of a bar for what is thought to be a trick, he tests his powers and eventually sends a policeman to Hades by accident. Worried, he sends the police officer to San Francisco, and seeks advice from the local clergyman, Mr Maydig. Maydig, after having Fotheringay's powers demonstrated to him, quickly planning for reform of the world by means of miracle, but eventually Fotheringay orders a miracle which, due to clumsy wording, backfires. He relinquishes his power and returns to the time before he had it.

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Plot Keywords:

making a wish | time reset | changing the past | british upper class | world peace | 

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Taglines:

Good pictures like good novels never grow old!

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some contemporary reviewers list Gertrude Musgrove in the role of Effie, but she was replaced by Joan Hickson.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

George McWhirter Fotheringay: As I want it, so it will be!

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits are shown over a background of outer space.

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Connections

Referenced in Bruce Almighty (2003)

User Reviews

the whimsical pessimism of H.G. Wells

H.G. Wells' lighthearted fantasy about an unassuming draperies assistant granted the ability to make his every dream come true might be the best film never made by Frank Capra. Normally a very sober thinker, Wells found the perfect balance between philosophy and whimsy for this original screenplay, in which a trio of cosmic gods conduct an experiment to see how the selfish inhabitants of this trifling world might cope with the possibility of total wish fulfillment. Astounded by his unexpected gift (which he believes to be a simple matter of will power), the meek and mild Mr. George McWirter Fotheringay soon finds himself besieged by friends and strangers offering opinions, advice, and partnership offers in lucrative business ventures. Should he use his miracle making for strictly personal gain, or for the benefit of all mankind? There are, of course, unexpected pitfalls to even the best intentions, but the consequences, while hardly optimistic, are never less than entertaining.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

H.G. Wells' The Man Who Could Work Miracles

Filming Locations:

Wilshire Blvd. & La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Noiseless Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1