Magnificent Obsession (1935)

People are voting emotionally.

Crappy film

best movie i've ever seen.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Despite the good cast this isn't as good a film as it could be. Robert Taylor is informed about the power of doing good without publicity or expecting anything in return. This is the kind of thing that happens with someone who is overflowing with blessing and wants to share it with others who are less fortunate. There is a temptation to publicise it, but it is more important to share blessings rather than to keep it. One of the characters make reference to the bible, but he doesn't open it nor does he mention Jesus whom he is referring to. He should have elaborated on his point by speaking about the power of the Holy Spirit in the bible, and then draw parallels with the heat that comes from an electric cooker ring.There is a germ of a good idea in this film, but the way that it is written and executed lets the film down.

There's a lot of spiritual chatter in the two versions of Lloyd C. Douglas's "Magnificent Obsession", and in the 1935 original, it is sadly overshadowed by a weak leading man and some unnecessary comic relief. What works is the leading lady-Irene Dunne-perfect in comedy, drama, musicals, epics, even westerns, and equally as tragic as her later, four-hankie weeper "Love Affair". Dunne is a gem that even with tragedy, you could see a sparkle in her eye that refused to dim. Loosing her older husband in a tragic accident then going blind because of the unfortunate circumstances concerning the man indirectly responsible for her husband's death, Dunne never looses her spirit, always gracious and lovely, yet even humanly annoyed when continually harassed by the well-meaning but ultimately intrusive man, played by Robert Taylor.Taylor has the difficult task of trying to make his character even slightly believable, and is perhaps defeated by a role almost impossible to take seriously. He's one of those either truly selfish characters or all of a sudden too god to be true. At first, his attempts to live the "Pay It Forward" motto ring realistically false because he is trying way too hard. However, as his obsession becomes more "magnificent", his actions take on a seemingly high-brow quality that is lacking in sincerity. Taylor's niche was light comedy or action/adventure, and as handsome as he was, he seemed weak in romantic drama because he was always overshadowed by more magnetic leading ladies.The other fly in the ointment here is droll Charles Butterworth as a suitor of Dunne's stepdaughter Betty Furness who ends up getting drunk with Taylor and provides unnecessary comedy that stops the plot cold. Stronger in the cast are Sara Haden as the loyal nurse who stands by Dunne and even comes to understand Taylor's desire to right a wrong and lead a more noble life, and Ralph Morgan as the Bohemian sculptor who expresses the film scene to Taylor when he drunkenly crashes outside Morgan's home.Ironically, many of Dunne's films were re-made, including this one with Jane Wyman, and because of that, they were lost to film audiences for several decades. Most of the original versions of these films (which include "Back Street", "Roberta", "Love Affair", "Show Boat" and "My Favorite Wife") are overshadowed by the color remakes, but have shown themselves to be as fresh today, mainly because of their magnetic leading lady.

"Magnificent Obsession" is a 1935 film starring Irene Dunne and Robert Taylor; it was remade in the '50s in Technicolor and starred Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson. The story is preposterous, the melodrama is over the top, but this film gave both Taylor, a farm boy from Nebraska and Hudson, a truck driver from Illinois, their big breaks.Robert Merrick (Taylor) is a drunken playboy who, one afternoon, falls off his sailboat and has to be resuscitated with the use of what's called in this film a "pulmotor," a device that forces oxygen into the lungs.Unfortunately, the pulmotor was needed across the lake for an older man, a Dr. Hudson, who has had a heart attack, but because one isn't available, the man dies. When his wife (Dunne) and daughter (Betty Furness) arrive home, they get the horrible news. There is bitterness everywhere because Dr. Hudson was beloved, a fine doctor and an exceptional man, and Merrick is a drunken, rich loser.At one point, Merrick meets a man (Ralph Morgan) who gives him the secret philosophy that Dr. Hudson lived by and taught him - give anonymously and without expecting repayment.When Merrick spots Mrs. Hudson, he has no idea who she is and tries to pick her up. One day, he offers her a ride and "runs out of gas." As she's leaving the car to take a ride with someone else, a car hits her and she is badly injured - in fact, she's blinded.Merrick now befriends her in the park, where she sits practicing her Braille. He doesn't identify himself - she calls him "Dr. Robert"; he tells her that he once had aspirations to be a doctor himself. He arranges for her to have a steady income, since Dr. Hudson gave most of his money away and only has worthless stocks - she thinks her husband's copper stocks are now worth a lot -- and then he arranges for some of the finest doctors in the world to meet in Paris and study her. She thinks it's because her husband was so highly regarded. Alas, the prognosis is that the doctors see no point in surgery. It goes on from there, assuming fabulous aspects.This kind of melodrama was extremely popular in the 1930s; director Douglas Sirk loved this type of film and remade some of them in the '50s, giving them big, glitzy productions, and made some new ones as well.Though today the plot seems ridiculous, because of the commitment and likability of the actors and the spiritual undertone that goes throughout the film, somehow one doesn't stop watching, and it sure worked well in 1935 and 1954.Robert Taylor is gloriously handsome, known for his perfect profile, resonant speaking voice, and charming presence. I have never considered him much of an actor, but he was my mother's favorite, and I watch him every time he's on TCM in her honor. He holds the record for being employed by a studio the longest - 24 years with MGM, until it dissolved, and went on to more films, a successful television show, and he replaced Ronald Reagan on Death Valley Days.Irene Dunne gives a lovely performance without histrionics or being overdone in any way.Good movie? For what it is, yes.

This Movie is just great! A must see movie! The actors and actress play their rolls very well, unlike today's movie which rely very heavily on special effects, or funny dialogue. The story is well written, and keeps you guessing to what happens next! I wish I could get it on DVD!!! I hope someone will restore it! This movie will be loved for generations to come. I could watch this movie over, and over again, and never get tired of it. Magnificent Obsession is one of those movies that you would love to watch with your significant other. Robert Merrick (Robert Taylor) recklessly cause the blindness of Helen Hudson (Irene Dunne). He spends years becoming a doctor, and becoming the best in his field, all in the hopes of correcting his past!