The film had helped boost taylor to stardom in the same way that it helped hudsons career two decades later. Steven curtis chapman has a song called magnificent obsession. Magnificent obsession by the four lads from 1960 their vocal version of the music that was the theme of the 1954 film by the same name staring rock hud. The story has minor modifications, actually updates and color, but the black and white movie of 1935 is better and better. The novel was a runaway best seller, leading to a series of similar works from douglas, most notably his epic of ancient rome, the robe, filmed with richard burton and jean simmons in 1953. The film features child actress judy nugent as a young girl who befriends helen phillips jane wyman, a woman who last her. The screenplay was written by robert blees and wells root, after the 1929 book magnificent obsession by lloyd c. However, while it does share some elements in common a hitman inadvertently blinds a young singer and sets out to make amends for his.
Merrick then tries to right his wrongs with helen falling in. Rock hudson plays bob merrick, a reckless playboy who is indirectly responsible for the death of a kindly and muchbeloved doctor. The film press compared it favorably to magnificent obsession 1954, sirks previous movie that starred wyman and hudson. Magnificent obsession 2002 reckless playboy robert merrick rock hudson is in a boat accident, and his condition requires a resuscitator to save his life. All that heaven allows was referred to as a womans picture in the film trade press and specifically was marketed towards women. It was one of four of his books that were eventually made into blockbuster motion pictures, the other three being the robe, white banners and the big fisherman. Douglas sirks all that heaven allows could stand as a lesson about how, in gifted hands, movies can surmount and surpass their source material, elevating the routine into the rhapsodic. Its the kind of film where a lecture about the radical power of kindness compares the crucifixion of christ to the act of turning on a light bulb.
Its easier to see this connection with craziness in the case of a movie like written on the wind. Douglas spiritual novel magnificent obsession is in its own way as successful as the first filmed in 1935 in glossing over the plot holes and logic gaps in the original novel. Magnificent obsession movie trailer and videos tv guide. Produced in the wake of henry kosters cinemascope adaptation of douglas the robe, sirks 1954 remake of magnificent obsession is, by any standard, an absolutely batshit movie. But only sirk followers sold on the directors style will find magnificent obsession to be a good movie. Nov 03, 2000 magnificent obsession is gloriously filmed, and sirk frequently employs large picture windows in his interior shots, with lush scenery in the background, perhaps as a dramatic counterpoint to the. Filming locations 16 filming dates 1 filming locations. Phillips has a heart attack and needs the same machine.
Magnificent obsession 1954 film wikipedia republished. Magnificent obsession is a 1954 melodrama directed by douglas sirk, starring jane wyman and rock hudson one fine day a wealthy young rich man named bob merrick hudson is taking his boat out for a spin on lake tahoe. You could probably get a couple of years worth of soapopera plots from magnificent obsession a movie in which, having indirectly caused a mans death, a rich young. I am terribly sorry if i didnt give you good information.
The joy of magnificent obsession functioning on so many levels simply means that potential viewers will have at least two meaningfilled encounters with. I wouldnt call magnificent obsession douglas sirks best movie but its still good. Reckless playboy robert merrick rock hudson is in a boat accident, and his condition requires a resuscitator to save his life. Magnificent obsession is a 1954 technicolor drama romantic film directed by douglas sirk starring jane wyman and rock hudson. Paul cavanagh in magnificent obsession for most of the audience that viewed magnificent obsession on itsinitial release in 1954 it was the height of inspirational drama thestory of a reckless playboy who redeems himself through selfless, anonymousdevotion. Douglass 1929 potboiler with irene dunne as the widowed helen hudson and robert taylor as bob merrick, the sportsmanturneddoctor who shakes up her world. Irene dunne is magnificent as usual and has a great chemistry with robert taylor. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. The film also inspired a television series, the magnificent seven, which ran from 1998 to 2000. Magnificent obsession has the distinction of being sirks craziest movie, a delirious melodramasquared. Seeing the magnificent seven was a seminal experience for my generation like first sex, but more fondly remembered now. Magnificent obsession was a boxoffice success that spawned a 1954 remake directed by. Read the full synopsis of magnificent obsession, 1954, directed by douglas sirk, with jane wyman, rock hudson, agnes moorehead, at turner classic movies.
The movie is based on the book magnificent obsession by lloyd c. Douglass 1929 novel of the same name, and it had first been filmed in 1935, starring irene dunne and robert taylor. Feb 19, 2009 the joy of magnificent obsession functioning on so many levels simply means that potential viewers will have at least two meaningfilled encounters with the formality and the romance of this. Trailer for douglas sirks 1954 film magnificent obsession, starring rock hudson and jane wyman. May 31, 2016 this feature is not available right now. The novel was a runaway bestseller, leading to a series of similar works from douglas, most notably hisepic of ancient rome, the robe, filmed with richard burton and. The science fiction film battle beyond the stars was a remake of the magnificent seven set in space. Jan 20, 2009 this, highly abstracted, is the plot of magnificent obsession, a 1929 best seller by lloyd c. The introduction with tchaikovskys romeo and juliet fantasy overture causes a favorable impact with this feature from the very beginning. Like any other sirk movie, its pungent with melodrama and youll often ask yourself if people really talk like. The charm and chemistry of irene dunne and robert taylor are unrivalled. Criterions doubledisc edition of magnificent obsession shines a light on two directors, four stars, and one author. But the directordouglas sirk says that the book was based on a greek legend called alcestis.
In time, merrick becomes a gifted eye surgeon, and he learns that he could restore helens sight with a delicate and dangerous operation that he has never performed before. Sirk began production on magnificent obsession, his previous production, taza, son of cochise having wrapped up the month before. The movie was produced by ross hunter and released by universal pictures. Magnificent obsession criterion collection bluray 1954. The 1935 and 1954 versions of magnificent obsession the. The authors follows the making, and unmaking, of the magnificent ambersons, a movie that orson welles believed was the death of his hollywood career.
It isnt even, by the measure of your average sirk enthusiast, his first masterpiece. Magnificent obsession is a 1935 drama film based on the novel of the same name by lloyd c. D ouglas sirks magnificent obsession wasnt the german expatriates first film made in hollywood, his first collaboration with frothy producer ross hunter, or his first dabbling in the genre of melodrama. The saga of magnificent obsession started in 1929, when lutheranpastor lloyd douglas published his first novel, an attempt to makefiction out of his most cherished beliefs. Magnificent obsession is a 1954 romantic drama movie.
Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. Today, stahls magnificent obsession is primarily a footnote in movie history, subordinate to douglas sirks delirious 1954 technicolor version. This, highly abstracted, is the plot of magnificent obsession, a 1929 best seller by lloyd c. Bob, jetting across the lake at very high speeds, flips his boat. Magnificent obsession soundtrack from 1954, composed by frederic chopin, frank skinner, johann strauss ii, ludwig van beethoven. How appropriate then that this books main subject centers around his old boss, the galilean from nazareth. The 1935 and 1954 versions of magnificent obsession the new. Magnificent obsession 1954 drama, romance rock hudson. The two versions of magnificent obsession are available together in a dvd package released by criterion. Magnificent obsession is gloriously filmed, and sirk frequently employs large picture windows in his interior shots, with lush scenery in the background, perhaps as. Hudsons secret journal, a television drama which aired in syndication from 1955 to 1957 78 episodes. Douglas spiritual novel magnificent obsession is in its own way as successful as the first filmed in 1935 in glossing over the plot holes and logic gaps in. Jan 19, 2009 magnificent obsession was a melange of halfbaked and drastically underdramatized subplots, but it began and ended memorably. Here the piece is directed by melodrama maestro douglas sirk and features jane wyman and rock hudson as the emotionally charged leads.
The magnificent ambersons is a 1942 american period drama, the second feature film produced and directed by orson welles. Welles adapted booth tarkingtons pulitzer prizewinning 1918 novel, about the declining fortunes of a wealthy midwestern family and the social changes brought by the automobile age. Magnificent obsession a 1954 film directed by douglas sirk. Douglass 1929 potboiler with irene dunne as the widowed helen hudson and robert taylor as bob merrick. Watch magnificent obsession online stream full movie. Mason, victor heerman, and george oneil, directed by john m. Magnificent obsession 1954 once you find the way, youll be bound. Film streams is a 501c3 nonprofit organization in omaha, nebraska. The articles will contain the films plot outline, director, cast, a compilation of trivialities, various photos, movie trailer, critical reception and more. Released by decca records in 1954 dl 8078 containing music from magnificent obsession 1954. Among the hundreds of films that have filmed at the ikea location in burbank, california, the most famous movie that filmed there is the 1942 casablanca.
Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing magnificent obsession near you. Magnificent obsession 1954 the movie database tmdb. Magnificent obsession is a wonderful melodramatic story of hate, love and redemption. Magnificent obsession criterion collection dvd 1954. Watch magnificent obsession movie trailers, exclusive videos, interviews from the cast, movie clips and more at. Magnificent obsession 1954 the criterion collection. Magnificent obsession is a remake without the magnetism of the original film. Due to his philanthropy and his wife helens accident, she jane wyman has very little money. Sirks best movies indeed cut under the surface of the fifties consumer lie, and it is possible to interpret the films as critiques of the artificial construction of hollywood movie reality. Lloyd cassel douglas, 18771951, was a minister before he was an author. Magnificent obsession film analysis senses of cinema. The film established hudson as a star, and he went on to play. Magnificent obsessions the current the criterion collection.
Douglas sirks magnificent obsession slant magazine. This is a preposterous but constantly entertaining drama about fate and redemption. Magnificent obsession is adapted from a novel by lloyd c douglas, and it had been previously filmed back in 1935 with irene dunne and robert taylor in the leads. Critic howard thompson wrote, the movie is unquestionably a handsome one. Some sources suggest john woos the killer 1989 is a further remake of magnificent obsession. But, in retrospect, it was the decisive turning point in his late career boom, in which he. Magnificent obsession film by sirk 1954 britannica. This, highly abstracted, is the plot of magnificent obsession, a 1929 best seller.
Magnificent obsession 1954 magnificent obsession 1954. Oct, 2015 magnificent obsession was based on lloyd c. Magnificent obsession, was his first book written and published after he retired from the pulpit around 1928. Our mission is to enhance the cultural environment of the omahacouncil bluffs metropolitan area through the presentation and discussion of film as an art form. Robert vaughn was a recurring guest star, a judge who hires the seven to protect the town in which his widowed daughterinlaw and his grandson live. But viewing both films backtobackwhich is easier to do now that criterion has packaged them togetherconfirms that while sirks is superior, stahls is more than just a. The 1935 and 1954 versions of magnificent obsession. Stahl, and stars irene dunne, robert taylor, charles butterworth, and betty furness. Magnificent obsession 1954 movies, tv, celebs, and more. In the first chapter, a feckless young playboy got knocked on the head in a sailing accident and was saved by the use of an inhalator, while unbeknownst to him a great brain surgeon died for want of the same inhalator. During the first part of the film, taylor is frequently shown in.
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