The Man Who Could Work Miracles
Directed by Lothar Mendes and Alexander Korda
Scenario and dialogue by H.G. Wells from a story by H.G. Wells; screenplay by Lajos Biró
1936/UK
London Film Productions
First viewing
[box] “The subsequent meditations of Mr. Fotheringay were of a severe but confused description. So far, he could see it was a case of pure willing with him. The nature of his experiences so far disinclined him for any further experiments, at least until he had reconsidered them. But he lifted a sheet of paper, and turned a glass of water pink and then green, and he created a snail, which he miraculously annihilated, and got himself a miraculous new tooth-brush.” – H.G. Wells, “The Man Who Could Work Miracles”[/box]
Comedy and H.G. Wells wouldn’t seem to be an obvious match but it works out fairly well here.
A trio of demi-gods (including George Sanders in a very early role) bemoans the weakness of man. One suggests giving men limitless power and seeing what happens. The others are more cautious and convince him to experiment with just one man at first.
So our hero mild-mannered George Fotheringay (Roland Young with a Cockney accent) suddenly finds himself able to levitate a lamp at the local pub. He experiments and finds everything is at his command except the minds of others. When others find out about these gifts, they try to harness them for themselves. George’s boss wants an exclusive agreement to enable him to open a chain of stores. The local vicar (Ernest Thesinger) wants to eliminate poverty, illness, and war. But there are those with interests in the ills of mankind who are not pleased, including Major Grigsby (Ralph Richardson).
While it didn’t rock my world, I thought this movie was pretty entertaining. I always enjoy Roland Young and Ralph Richardson disappeared into his role.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohlrv-MB6u8
Trailer
