The Man Who Could Work Miracles

Director: Lothar Mendes Lothar Mendes

Overview

As a result of a discussion between a trio of gods over the true worthiness of Earth, a retiring British shop assistant is granted miraculous powers in this fantasy based on an H.G. Wells story. Roland Young stars as George McWhirter Fotheringay, whose new powers are virtually limitless; choosing to use them for good, he sets out to create a utopian society. Still, despite a succession of miraculous deeds, George's plans to cure all of the world's ills is met with disbelief. As proof of his power, George wills the earth to stop spinning on its axis, which results in its citizens flying off the planet into space. Because George is indestructible, he is able to shout out his last wish, which restores the world--and George himself--back to normal.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/09/2015
UPC:	0644827791729
Original Release:	1936
Source:	Reel Vault
Language:	English
Sales rank:	24,935

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Roland Young	George McWhirter Fotheringay
Joan Gardner	Ada Price
Ralph Richardson	Col. Winstanley
Ernest Thesiger	Rev. Silas Maydig,Mr. Maydig
Edward Chapman	Major Grigsby
Sophie Stewart	Maggie Hooper
Robert Cochran	Bill Stoker
Lawrence Hanray	Mr. Bamfylde
George Zucco	Moody
Wallace Lupino	Police Constable Winch
Lady Tree	Housekeeper
Joan Hickson	Effie Brickman
Gertrude Musgrove	Effie Brickman
Wally Patch	Supt. Smithelle
Bernard Nedell	Reporter
Bruce Winston	Cox, Landlord
George Sanders	Indifference, a God
Ivan Brandt	Player, a God
Torin Thatcher	Observer, a God
Mark Daly	Toddy Beamish
Jane Baxter	Actor
Mischa Spoliansky	Composer

Technical Credits

Lajos Biró

H.G. Wells

Lothar Mendes	Director
Lajos Biró	Screenwriter
Alexander Korda	Producer
Lawrence Butler	Special Effects
Edward Cohen	Special Effects
Ned Mann	Special Effects
H.G. Wells	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

The Man Who Could Work Miracles is a cheerful excursion into somewhat whimsical science fiction -- "somewhat" because it is more the treatment than the subject matter itself that is whimsical. Indeed, the basic messages behind Miracles are familiar ones of H.G. Wells: that mankind must find some way to end its obsession with wars and pointless aggression, that the differences between people make it impossible for one point of view to always prevail, and that absolute power by itself cannot bring about a utopia. But director Lothar Mendes treats most of this with a very light touch, helping to keep some of the preachiness at bay and therefore rendering it all the more effective. The plot itself is rather delightful and the screenplay has a number of inventive elements, starting with the trio of gods that open the film. Miracles also benefits from the performance of Roland Young in the title role, who is perfect as the non-descript, average "little" man suddenly elevated to heights of unimaginable power. What may be a surprise to modern audiences is how well the special effects have held up. While not on par with today's computer-generated work, they are still quite impressive and add considerably to The Man Who Could Work Miracles' impact.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler