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IMDb > Magnificent Obsession (1954)
Magnificent Obsession
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Magnificent Obsession (1954) More at IMDbPro »

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Magnificent Obsession (1954) -- Classic love story involving a man who falls for the woman who's husband's death he is indirectly responsible for

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   1,589 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Robert Blees (screenplay)
Lloyd C. Douglas (novel)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Magnificent Obsession on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 August 1954 (USA) more
Genre:
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... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win more
User Comments:
A bit much, even for Sirk more (43 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
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Additional Details

Runtime:
108 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.00 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
'Jane Wyman (I)' appears as herself and narrates the trailer. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: During Merrick's 'drunk' scene he uses the telephone, and all through his conversation he has the handset upside down, with the cord at the top. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Valerie: Bob! Bob, take it easy!
Dr. Bob Merrick: Easy? Where's that get ya?
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Los abrazos rotos (2009) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
11 out of 13 people found the following comment useful.
A bit much, even for Sirk, 27 June 2004
8/10
Author: William J. Fickling (wjfickling@earthlink.net) from Columbia, South Carolina, USA

I am a Douglas Sirk devotee and regard him as one of the screen's more underrated directors. Having said that, I regard "Magnificent Obsession" as a bit much, even for Sirk. I like Sirk because, even though he is a master of soapers, he is more than that. His films contain social commentaries that are often biting, and they often contain good character studies. In this preachy film the social commentary is absent and the characters are one dimensional. But I can forgive all this because the acting is good--Wyman, Kruger, and Moorhead are excellent--and Sirk showed that Rock Hudson could act if properly directed. This was Hudson's breakthrough film. But the music is almost too much to bear! I have never heard such wretchedly maudlin, and loud, movie music in my life. The heavenly choruses in the background are shameless. In spite of all this, however, it is all quite entertaining. 7/10

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