Magnificent Obsession (1954)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Douglas Sirk

Writers:

Robert Blees (screenplay)
Lloyd C. Douglas (novel)

Release Date:

7 August 1954 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

THE STORY OF A WOMAN'S NEED FOR A MAN that will become one of the great emotional thrills of your lifetime!

Plot:

When churlish, spoiled rich man Bob Merrick foolishly wrecks his speed boat, the rescue team resuscitates...

Plot Keywords:

Medical | Surgeon | Blockbuster | Loss Of Husband | Blindness

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win

Cast

Jane Wyman	...	Helen Phillips
Rock Hudson	...	Bob Merrick
Barbara Rush	...	Joyce Phillips
Agnes Moorehead	...	Nancy Ashford
Otto Kruger	...	Edward Randolph
Gregg Palmer	...	Tom Masterson
Sara Shane	...	Valerie Daniels
Paul Cavanagh	...	Dr. Henry Giraud
Judy Nugent	...	Judy
Richard H. Cutting	...	Dr. Derwin Dodge
Robert Williams	...	State Police Sergeant Burnham (as Robert B. Williams)
Will J. White	...	State Police Sergeant Bill Ames (as Will White)
Helen Kleeb	...	Mrs. Eden
Rudolph Anders	...	Dr. Albert Fuss
Fred Nurney	...	Dr. Laradetti

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

UK:U | Australia:PG | Finland:S | USA:Approved (PCA #16853, General Audience) | West Germany:12 | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, California, USA

Company:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Trivia:

Jeff Chandler turned down the role of Bob Merrick because he thought the story was too "soppy".

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): The recently-blinded Helen Phillips (Jane Wyman) praises her friend for not becoming short-tempered with her and her new disabilities. "I'd have thrown me in the drink, if I were me." ... Should be, "......if I were YOU."

Quotes:

[first lines]
Valerie: Bob! Bob, take it easy!
Dr. Bob Merrick: Easy? Where's that get ya?

Movie Connections:

Featured in Rock Hudson's Home Movies (1992)

Tissues required!

Douglas Sirk directed a lot of films that capitalized on the melodramas that were highly popular in the fifties. In "Magnificent Obsession" he shows why he was probably the man that was born to direct this film, as well as others of the genre. This is a remake of the film of 1935, which had been a vehicle for Irene Dunne and Robert Taylor.

Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson seemed to be unlikely candidates for playing a romantic couple in the movies. After all, Ms. Wyman was older than Mr. Hudson and clearly appeared to be in the film. The story, which is based on LLoyd Douglas novel, has a little bit of everything.

"Magnificent Obsession" proved to be a hit for its stars. In a way, it's easy to see why fans were attracted to it, with its many twists and turns and the impossible love between Helen and Dr. Bob Merrick, the playboy who becomes contrite after he causes the accident that makes Helen blind. Also in the cast the magnificent Agnes Moorehead, who has great moments in the film.