Magnificent Obsession (1954 film)
- Jane Wyman: Helen Phillips
- Rock Hudson: Bob Merrick
- Barbara Rush: Joyce Phillips
- Agnes Moorehead: Nancy Ashford
- Gregg Palmer: Tom Masterson
- Sara Shane: Valerie Daniels
- Paul Cavanagh: Dr. Henry Giraud
- Judy Nugent Judy
- Richard H. Cutting: Dr. Derwin Dodge
- Robert Williams: Sergeant Burnham
- Will J. White: Sergeant Bill
- Helen Kleeb: Mrs. Eden
- Fred Nurney: Dr. Laradetti
- John MyLong: Dr. Emil Hofer
- Alexander Campbell: Dr. Allan
- Mae Clarke: Mrs. Miller
- Harvey Grant: Chris Miller
- Joseph Mell: Dan
- Norbert Schiller: Julian Long
The wonderful power is an American film directed by Douglas Sirk in the year 1954. It is based on a novel Magnificent Obsession by Lloyd C. Douglas.
Action
As a millionaire Bob Merrick caused his speedboat accident, is rescued him with the only resuscitation apparatus of Dr. Phillips' hospital life. Dr. Phillips himself has at the same time a severe attack and dies because the device does not come to him in time. His young widow Helen and her step-daughter Joyce are appalled that a meritorious doctors had to die so that a swashbuckling playboy can survive.
What no one knew, but is now known: The hospital is facing ruin because Dr. Phillips has lived all his life extremely unselfish and other people also helped financially, without having to give him back the money or were allowed to tell others about it. Even the painter Edward Randolph had helped Dr. Phillips so. Randolph is this unselfish life maxim to Bob on. He wants to speak with Helen, whom he secretly worshiped, but they denied any contact. When she pressed in a taxi, she flees into the street and is hit by a car. Soon it is clear that they will be blind forever.
Bob now devotes his life entirely to the service of Dr. Phillips' maxim of life, saves the hospital with an anonymous donation and lets Helen in Switzerland study of the most important brain specialists. He continued his medical studies, which he had once given up after the early death of his father. The blind Helen he approaches as Mr. Robinson and her friend and confidant. Also stepdaughter Joyce soon realizes his serious intentions and are their opposition towards him on. When Helen learns that there is no cure for it, it is enlivened by Bob's surprising appearance. He confesses his true identity and makes her to marry him. Although Helen loves him, she and her traveling nurse Nancy the next day from an unknown destination.
Bob can search everywhere for her, but returns after several months and returned to the United States. Here he completed his medical studies and works now as brain specialist at New York Medical Institute. One day Edward Randolph appears to him - Nancy has secretly called him from New Mexico, as Helen is with meningitis in a small hospital in a coma. Bob travels to Helen and saves her with a complicated operation life. When Helen woke up from the anesthesia, they may also already distinguish light and shadow and is able to see again. Bob promises, they never have to leave.
Production
The wonderful power was filmed in California. Filming locations included the Big Bear Lake, the San Bernardino National Forest and Venice. The film experienced on August 4, 1954 in Loew's State Theatre in New York City 's premiere.
In the German dubbed version speaks Axel Monjé Rock Hudson, Jane Wyman while Marianne Kehlau is spoken.
Already in 1935, the underlying novel was made into a film titled Magnificent Obsession.
Criticism
The lexicon of the International film called The wonderful power of a film that " not convinced, despite well-known director and cast for his naively optimistic overestimation of the natural disposition of man and his ways. "
For Cinema was the wonderful power an " artistically designed key film of an era ".
Awards
The wonderful power in 1954 was honored at the Photoplay Awards with a gold medal.
Jane Wyman was 1955 " Best Actress " nomination for her portrayal of Helen for an Oscar in the category, but could not prevail against Grace Kelly in The Country Girl herself.