Magnificent Obsession | |
---|---|
Directed by | Douglas Sirk |
Produced by | Ross Hunter |
Written by | Robert Blees |
Screenplay by | Wells Root Sarah Y. Mason Victor Heerman Finley Peter Dunne |
Based on |
Magnificent Obsession 1929 novel by Lloyd C. Douglas |
Starring |
Jane Wyman Rock Hudson Barbara Rush Agnes Moorehead Otto Kruger |
Music by | Frank Skinner |
Cinematography | Russell Metty |
Edited by | Milton Carruth |
Production
company |
Universal International
|
Distributed by | Universal International |
Release date
|
|
Running time
|
108 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $5.2 million (est. US/ Canada rentals) |
Magnificent Obsession is a 1954 Universal-International Technicolor romantic feature film directed by Douglas Sirk; starring Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson. The screenplay was written by Robert Blees and Wells Root, after the 1929 book Magnificent Obsession by Lloyd C. Douglas. The film was produced by Ross Hunter. Sirk sometimes claimed that the story was based distantly on the Greek legend of Alcestis.
In 1935 Universal Studios introduced Magnificent Obsession starring Irene Dunne and Robert Taylor, based on Lloyd C. Douglas' book.
Spoiled playboy Bob 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 being used to save Merrick, Dr. Phillips suffers a heart attack and dies. Merrick ends up a patient at Dr. Phillips's clinic, where most of the doctors and nurses resent the fact that Merrick inadvertently caused Dr. Phillips's death.
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 repayment of during his life. Many claimed he refused by saying "it was already used up." Edward Randolph (Otto Kruger), a famous artist and Dr. Phillips's close friend, 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.