Main Cast: John Barrymore, Marian Marsh, Bramwell Fletcher, Donald Crisp, Lumsden Hare
Release Year: 1931
Country: US
Run Time: 76 minutes
Plot
The George du Maurier novel Trilby, about a hypnotist who controls a female musician, was originally filmed as Trilby, a 1920s silent. In the 1931 talkie, the emphasis shifts from the music student to the teacher, Svengali. John Barrymore gives a scenery-chewing performance as Svengali, who is originally seen tutoring Honori (Carmel Myers). Trilby (Marian Marsh) is making her living as a nude model, but she wants to use her musical talents to earn money and hopes to settle down with Billee (Bramwell Fletcher). Unfortunately, his upper-class family simply wouldn't approve. Svengali falls for Trilby and starts teaching her music while manipulating her hypnotically. Eventually, she becomes so dependent on him that she can't perform outside of his presence. This film became so well-known that the word "Svengali" became incorporated into the English language, meaning "someone who, with evil intent, tries to persuade another to do what is desired." A British version of the film was released in 1955. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
Carmel Myers - Honori; Luis Alberni - Gecko; Paul Porcasi - Manager; Ferike Boros - Marta; Adrienne D'Ambricourt - Mme. Vinard; Yola D'Avril - Maid
Credit
Archie Mayo - Director, William Holmes - Editor, Anton Grot - Production Designer, Barney "Chick" McGill - Cinematographer, J. Grubb Alexander - Screenwriter, George du Maurier - Book Author
The ending of the novel is changed in this film to a highly dramatic one by having Trilby die after Svengali is stricken with a fatal heart attack, instead of dying of a mysterious illness a few days later. She faints after he collapses in the stage box, but Svengali revives long enough to gasp, "God grant me the one thing in death that I could not have in life". Trilby then dies, followed by Svengali. In the film Billee survives.
