The Man Who Could Work Miracles
Encyclopedia : T : TH : THE : The Man Who Could Work Miracles
The Man Who Could Work Miracles is a 1936 British fantasy-comedy film. It is a greatly expanded version of H.G. Wells’ story of the same name.
Plot outline
The gods decide to experiment. They give an assistant to a haberdasher (George Fotheringay), played by Roland Young, almost unlimited powers. In that sense the plot resembles the more recent film Bruce Almighty. Fotheringay cannot change people’s opinions or feelings.
Fotheringay tries to use his powers for good but discovers that the use of his powers brings many unexpected side effects. Not dissuaded, he then tries to stop war.
The film, like all of Wells’ later works, eventually addresses Wells’ hobby-horse – world peace. One is always in danger of pompous breast-beating from Wells but Lothar gives this film a comedic treatment. Not surprisingly for a work of Wells’, the film ends with Fotheringay hectoring the audience and deciding to relinquish his powers.
Cast
- Roland Young George McWhirter Fotheringay*
- Ralph Richardson Colonel Winstanley
- Edward Chapman Major Grigsby
- Ernest Thesiger Mr. Maydig
- Joan Gardner Ada Price
- Sophie Stewart Maggie Hooper
- Robert Cochran Bill Stoker
- Lady Tree Mr. Maydig's Housekeeper
- Laurence Hanray Mr. Bamfylde, London & Essex Bank
- George Zucco Moody, Colonel Winstanley's Butler
- Wallace Lupino Police Constable Winch (as Wally Lupino)
- Joan Hickson Effie Brickman
- Wally Patch Police Superintendent Smithelle
- Mark Daly Toddy Beamish
- George Sanders Indifference
Production details
- Producer – Alexander Korda,
- Director - Lothar Mendes,
- Screenplay – H.G. Wells,
- Cinematography – Harold Rosson
- Music – Michael Spolianski,
- Special effects – Ned Mann
- Production Design – Vincent Korda
- Length – 82 minutes
- Black & White
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.