Svengali (1931) is an talkie Pre-Code Hollywood drama/horror film produced and distributed by Warner Brothers. The film stars John Barrymore, Marian Marsh, and Bramwell Fletcher. It was directed by Archie Mayo and the screenplay was written by J. Grubb Alexander. It is based on the gothic fiction horror fiction novel
Trilby (novel) (1894) by George du Maurier. The film was originally released on May 22, 1931. Warner Brothers was so pleased by the box office on this film that the studio hurriedly reteamed Barrymore and Marsh for another horror film
The Mad Genius, released on November 7, 1931. The DVD region code DVD of
Svengali was released on October 17, 2000 by the Roan Group.
Plot
The ending of the novel is changed in this film to a highly dramatic one by having Trilby die after Svengali is stricken with a fatal heart attack, instead of dying of a mysterious illness a few days later. She faints after he collapses in the stage box, but Svengali revives long enough to gasp, "Oh God, grant me in death what you denied me in lifeāthe woman I love". Trilby regains consciousness, smiles happily, utters "Svengali!", then dies, followed by Svengali, who dies smiling. In the film Billee survives.
Note
In CBS's 60s Biography episode on John Barrymore narrated by Mike Wallace (journalist), some scenes from
Svengali are shown with mood or background music. The music does add effect tremendously to the scenes but it is CBS's own canned archive music and is not in the original feature film.
Marian Marsh may have been chosen as Trilby because she strongly resembled Barrymore's wife Dolores Costello.
Cast (in credits order)
- John Barrymore as Svengali
- Marian Marsh as Trilby O'Farrell
- Donald Crisp as The Laird
- Bramwell Fletcher as Billee
- Carmel Myers as Madame Honori
- Luis Alberni as Gecko
- Lumsden Hare as Monsieur Taffy
- Paul Porcasi as Bonelli
Awards
The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, one for Academy Award for Best Art Direction by Anton Grot, and one for Academy Award for Best Cinematography by Barney McGill.< name="NY Times"></>
Category:1931 films
Category:1930s drama films
Category:American films
Category:American drama films
Category:1930s horror films
Category:English-language films
Category:Black-and-white films
Category:Films made before the MPAA Production Code
Category:Films directed by Archie Mayo
Category:Warner Bros. films