THE MAN WHO COULD WORK MIRACLES

UK, 1936, 82 minutes, Black and white.
Roland Young, Ralph Richardson, Edward Chapman, Ernest Thesiger, George Sanders, Joan Hickson.
Directed by Lothar Mendes.

One of a number of film versions of novels by H. G. Wells. In the thirties there was the Island of Lost Souls (Island of Dr Moreau) 1932, the classic Shape of Things to Come in 1936. Another famous version was George Pal's The Time Machine of 1960.

In the seventies there was a recurrence of interest in Wells' animal science fiction films in connection with the disaster trend: Bert I. Gordon's 'Food of the Gods' and 'Empire of the Ants'. 'The Island of Dr. Moreau’ was also made with Burt Lancaster and Michael York. This film is a somewhat old-fashioned British film of the thirties. It has an atmosphere of realism as well as aspects of fantasy. These are served well by some expert trick photography. Roland Young is very good in the central role of George Fotheringay, the man given the power to work miracles. Ralph Richardson has a supporting role an the colonel and there are glimpses of George Sanders and Torin Thatcher as celestial beings.

Wells was very sceptical about the role of religion in the world but this film indicates that he had views on transcendence and wants role in the world today. Wells was also interested, of course, in science fiction. He himself wrote the screenplay for this film.

1. Audience interest in H. G. wells, his literature, imagination, science fiction interests, philosophy and religion? The quality of his screenplay, a novelist working in a visual medium? The articulation of his issues, visually, in fantasy, dramatically, in speeches?

2. The quality of the film as an English production of the thirties? English film-making style compared with that of America at the time? The style used for the celestial sequences, the presentation of ordinary British life in homes, pubs, shops? The transition to fantasy? The appeal visually, decor, costumes of the fantasy?

3. The importance of the special effects and trick photography? For small scale miracles as with the lamp, the bed, sudden appearances? The construction of the palace, the peopling of it? The credibility of the visual presentation of such miracles?

4. Audience response to the celestial beings? The superimposed photography, the mythical creatures, their British presentation and voice? Their discussion, indifference, the spurning of human kind, the derogatory statements about evolution and about the possibilities of mankind, mankind's foolishness and pride? The celestial being watching over them, defending them? The statements about the Almighty Power? The possibility of giving man the capacity to work miracles?

5. The plausibility of the hypothesis of one man getting the power? The random touch and the finger on Mr Fotheringay? Audience expectations about miracles, the power of one man to work them, the kinds of miracles he would do, the motives?

6. The philosophy of miracles and nature, will, control? Fotheringay and his theories in the pub, the men and their versions? The sudden surprise of the changing lamp? Audiences sharing in the idea of miracles, belief? Fotheringay enjoying his power? The various details of his testing it?

7. Fotheringay's first reaction, money, aids? the novelty and sensational side of it?

8. The contrast with his going to work, meeting the women, healing their ailments? Maggie and her sense of humanity and her indicating to him all the time the amount of good he could do? The compassionate feminine advice?

9. Fotheringay's friends? His going to see them, their backgrounds, their advice? The sequences of the discussion of the possibilities? His illustrating the miracles for them? Scepticism? questions?

10. What motivated his decision to try for a better world? His transforming the house into a large palace? The changing of their costumes? The assembly of all the world leaders and Fotheringay's comments on them?

11. The significance of his speech and its content? His accusations? His wanting to change the world?

12. His foolishness in stopping the world and its consequences with everybody clipping and floating? His lack of control? Good will but lacking will control? The celestial beings and their spurning of mankind?

13. Fotheringay's decision to return to normal? The solution? His delight in not being able to work miracles?

14. The moral of the fable about man, his strengths and limitations, his will, control, motivations and passions, his use of extraordinary powers and his being satisfied to do the best with what he had?