Svengali * (1954, Hildegard Knef, Donald Wolfit, Terence Morgan) – Classic Movie Review 12,689

The 1954 British film Svengali is based on George du Maurier’s novel Trilby, and tells the story of the famous hypnotist Svengali who abuses his skill for the sake of a woman.

Director Noel Langley’s 1954 British film Svengali is based on the 1894 novel Trilby by George du Maurier, and tells the story of the famous hypnotist Svengali who abuses his skill for the sake of a woman, Trilby O’Ferrall, an artist’s model whom he turns into a renowned opera singer who then struggles to escape from his powers.

Uncharacteristically, star Donald Wolfit delivers a depressingly dreary performance as Svengali, paying the price of trying to avoid the usual hammy style for which he became famous, and the beautiful Hildegarde Neff is naff in a tame performance as Trilby, in this derivative and inferior remake of the John Barrymore 1931 version Svengali.

With Noel Langley’s flabby, unfocused script and distracted direction, it singularly fails to capture the spirit of George du Maurier’s story, but the production is enlivened by supporting roles for British cheeky chappies Alfie Bass and Harry Secombe, as well as an attractive roster of British character actors.

It does look good, though: Wilkie Cooper’s Eastmancolor cinematography, Beatrice Dawson’s costumes and Frederick Pusey’s set designs are the main, very considerable assets, an especial triumph considering the budget was tight.

It was shot in Walton Studios near London.

Donald Wolfit replaced Robert Newton, who left three weeks into filming and can still be seen in some long shots.

The opera star Elisabeth Schwarzkopf provides the singing voice of Trilby O’Ferrall.

German actress, singer, and writer Hildegard Knef (28 December 1925 – 1 February 2002) was billed in some English-language films as Hildegard Neff or Hildegarde Neff.

The cast are Hildegard Knef as Trilby O’Ferrall, Donald Wolfit as Svengali, Terence Morgan as Billy Bagot, Derek Bond as The Laird, Paul Rogers as Taffy, David Kossoff as Gecko, Hubert Gregg as Durian, Noel Purcell as Patrick O’Ferrall, Alfie Bass as Carrell, Harry Secombe as Barizel, Peter Illing as Police Inspector, Joan Haythorne as Mrs. Bagot, Hugh Cross as Dubose, David Oxley as Dodor, Richard Pearson as Lambert, Michael Craig as Zouzou, Arnold Bell as Tout, Martin Boddey as Doctor, Neville Phillips as Contran, Rica Fox as Dresser, Toots Pounds as Mama Martin, Joan Heal as Barmaid, Cyril Smith as 1st Stage Manager, Marne Maitland as 2nd Stage Manager, Jeremy Brett as Pierre, Michael Hordern as Billy’s Uncle, Aileen Lewis as Covent Garden Patron, and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (singing voice) as Trilby O’Ferrall.

Remade for TV in 1983 as Svengali with Peter O’Toole and Jodie Foster.

When the novel was adapted for the stage, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree performed as Svengali in the UK and Wilton Lackaye portrayed him in 1895 in the US, both to great success. At least six silent film adaptations of Trilby were made, from 1908 to 1923.

© Derek Winnert 2023 – Classic Movie Review 12,689

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