Magnificent Obsession (1954 film)

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Magnificent Obsession
Directed by	Douglas Sirk
Written by	Robert Blees
Starring	Jane Wyman Rock Hudson Barbara Rush Agnes Moorehead Otto Kruger
Release date(s)	August 4, 1954
Running time	108 min.
Language	English
IMDb profile

Magnificent Obsession is a 1954 romantic melodrama film made by Universal International Pictures. It was directed by Douglas Sirk and produced by Ross Hunter from a screenplay adapted by Robert Blees, Finley Peter Dunne, Jr. (uncredited) and Wells Root, based on the book Magnificent Obsession by Lloyd C. Douglas. The original music was by Frank Skinner and the cinematography by Russell Metty.

The film stars Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, Agnes Moorehead, Otto Kruger and Barbara Rush. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress (Jane Wyman). Sirk sometimes claimed that the story was based distantly on the Greek legend of Alcestis.

[edit] Synopsis

Like the Lloyd C. Douglas book, spoiled playboy, Robert Merrick's Rock Hudson reckless behavior causes him to lose control of his speed boat. Rescuers send for the nearest resuscitator located in Dr. Phillips's house across the lake. While the resuscitator is across the lake, Dr. Phillips suffers a heart attack and dies without his resuscitator. Merrick ends up a patient at Dr. Phillips's clinic, where most of the doctors and nurses resent the fact that Merrick apparently caused Dr. Phillips's death. During this period, Helen Phillips (Jane Wyman), Dr. Phillips's young widow, receives a flood of calls, letters and visitors all offering to pay back loans that Dr. Phillips refused to accept during his life. Many of these people claimed he refused by saying "it was already used up." Edward Randolph (Otto Kruger), a famous artist and Dr. Phillips's close friend, arrives and explains to Helen what that phrase means. This helps her to understand why her husband left little money, even though he had a very successful practice.

Merrick finally discovers why everyone dislikes him. He unsuccessfully attempts to run away but collapses in right in of Helen's car (she does not know his name), and ends up back at the hospital. After his discharge, Merrick tries to resume his playboy life, but pangs of guilt causes him to leave one of these parties, drunk. After running off the road, Merrick ends up at Edward Randolph's house, who recognizes him. Randolph explains the secret belief that powered his own art and Dr. Phillips's success. Merrick decides to try out this new philosophy. His first attempt causes Helen to step into the path of a car while trying to run away from Merrick's advances. She is blinded by this accident and Merrick soberly commits to becoming a doctor, trying to fulfill Dr. Phillips's legacy. He also has fallen in love with Helen and secretly helps her adjust to her blindness as a poor medical student, Robby.

Merrick secretly arranges for Helen to travel to Europe and consult the best eye surgeons in the world. After extensive tests, these surgeons tel Helen there is no hope for recovery. Right after this, Robby shows up at her hotel to provide emotional support, but eventually confesses to being Merrick. Helen has already guessed this, but agrees to marry him. Later that night, Helen realizes she will be a burden to him, and so runs away and disappears.

Many years pass. Robert Merrick is now a dedicated and successful brain surgeon who secretly continues his philanthropic acts, and searches for Helen. One evening, Edward Randolph arrives with news that Helen is very sick, possibly dying, in a small Southwest hospital. They leave immediately for this clinic. Merrick arrives to find that Helen needs a complex brain surgery to save her life. As the only capable surgeon at the clinic, Merrick performs this operation. After a long night waiting for the results, Helen awakes and discovers she can now see.

[edit] Production

This was Hudson's first major starring role, and, according to Wyman, he was very nervous. Some of his scenes had to be re-shot thirty or forty times, but Wyman never said a word. Reportedly, years later at a party, Hudson ran into Wyman and said, "You were nice to me when you didn't have to be, and I want you to know that I thank you and love you for it."

The book was previously filmed in 1935, also by Universal, as Magnificent Obsession with Irene Dunne and Robert Taylor.

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