Magnificent Obsession (1954)

A selfish playboy enamored by a woman he seems to hurt more than he intends begins to understand a deeper meaning to their relationship.

Director:

Douglas Sirk

Writers:

Lloyd C. Douglas (novel), Robert Blees (screenplay)

Stars:

Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, Agnes Moorehead

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jane Wyman	...	Helen Phillips
Rock Hudson	...	Bob Merrick
Agnes Moorehead	...	Nancy Ashford
Otto Kruger	...	Randolph
Barbara Rush	...	Joyce Phillips
Gregg Palmer	...	Tom Masterson
Paul Cavanagh	...	Dr. Giraud
Sara Shane	...	Valerie
Richard H. Cutting	...	Dr. Dodge
Judy Nugent	...	Judy
Helen Kleeb	...	Mrs. Eden
Rudolph Anders	...	Dr. Fuss
Fred Nurney	...	Dr. Laradetti
John Mylong	...	Dr. Hofer
Alexander Campbell	...	Dr. Allan

Storyline

When churlish, spoiled rich man Bob Merrick foolishly wrecks his speed boat, the rescue team resuscitates him with equipment that's therefore unavailable to aid a local hero, Dr. Wayne Phillips, who dies as a result. Phillips had helped many people, and when Merrick learns Phillips' secret, to give selflessly and in secret, he tries it in a ham-handed way. The result further alienates Phillips' widow, Helen, with whom Merrick has fallen in love. Merrick's persistence causes another tragedy, and he must remake his life, including going back to medical school, in an attempt to make amends and win her love.

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Plot Keywords:

remake | blindness | based on novel | melodrama | spoiled rich man | 

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Taglines:

HERE IS A LOVE STORY that will become one of the deepest emotional thrills of your lifetime!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

7 August 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sublime obsesión

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

'Jane Wyman (I)' appears as herself and narrates the trailer.

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Goofs

17 minutes in: When the cab pulls up in front of Brightwood Hospital to drop off Tom, the shadow of the microphone boom is clearly visible on the hood of the vehicle.

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Quotes

Valerie: [first lines]
Valerie: Bob! Bob, take it easy!
Dr. Bob Merrick: Easy? Where's that get ya?

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Connections

Remade as Hum Hain Bemisaal (1994)

User Reviews

Melodrama prototype.

Douglas Sirk is known as the melodrama man,but all his movies are not exactly what we call melodrama:"All that heaven allows" and"tarnished angels" are closer to realist stories;"A time to love and a time to die" transcends melodrama to become a tragedy.Three major movies seem to belong to the genre:"written on the wind" "imitation of life " and of course this one."Magnificent obsession " has a plot so unlikely,so incredible that,in the hands of a lesser talent,it would have gathered nothing but horse -laugh:The beginning of the film is a succession of coincidences and combinations of circumstances so improbable you wonder whether Sirk will get away with it.Against all odds,he succeeds in this absurd task.Someone tells the hero that the one who devotes his life to others has chosen the rocky road,someone has been crucified for that.But once he has begun,this task will obsess him,and it's a magnificent obsession.So the selfish hero will undo the harm he's done . It's a double feat:Hudson's struggle is moving and Sirk ,who goes for broke,pulls off this extravaganza with panache.