One day under the pretext of curing her headache, Svengali hypnotizes her and thereafter is able to control her by the power of his thoughts. When Billee discovers Trilby posing nude for a group of artists, they quarrel, and Svengali convinces her to fake a suicide and leave
Through a bumpy series of events that do not mesh smoothly, Svengali showcases an incongruent image of a man who forever changes the course of Trilby's life. A tongue-in-cheek cum Gothic horror cum sappy romance is jarring for any viewer trying to wrap their head around Svengali's true nature. Combine these inconsistencies with Barrymore's overpowering talent compared to Marsh's overplayed naïveté (I'm assuming here as I have not seen her in other films and have no comparison to say whether or not she was a talented actress) and what you have is a mediocre film tribute to a thrilling story.
Side note:
Ironically, I am currently reading Marlene Dietrich, a completely absorbing and entertaining biography by her daughter Maria Riva which paints Dietrich's relationship with von Sternberg in a completely different and less ominous light. I recommend it to everyone even if you, like me, are not well acquainted with Dietrich's work. It's really quite refreshing in its straightforward honesty and creative narrative.
Tonight on TCM! Guest programmer Kareem Abdul-Jabar has picked out quite a line up!
The Big Sleep (1946) Private eye Philip Marlowe investigates a society girl's involvement in the murder of a pornographer. Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, John Ridgely, Martha Vickers Dir: Howard Hawks
The Maltese Falcon (1941) Hard-boiled detective Sam Spade gets caught up in the murderous search for a priceless statue.Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter Lorre Dir: John Huston
The Shootist (1976) A dying gunfighter tries to set his affairs in order. Cast: John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, James Stewart Dir: Don Siegel
I recall trying to read George Du Maurier's Trilby (the original text I expect the movie is based on), but never finished it. The pictures of Svengali you've got here look pretty eery and spot on! Yet another film I've yet to see...!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised he didn't pick "Airplane!"
ReplyDelete