What would one do if he or she suddenly had the power to work miracles? By definition, a miracle is something so out of the ordinary that there's no logical or practical explanation for it, or precedence for it, so that it must be of divine origin or power. Well, discussion of that very sort happens in this film, as one common man suddenly has such powers.
The audience knows where the power comes from because the opening of this fantasy film has three celestial men of some power, looking down upon the earth - which the audience is spared from seeing. One of them is Player (played by Ivan Brandt), an angel or mythical god or other celestial being who wants to find out what would happen if men were given full powers to do whatever they wanted. Two other celestials confront him. A very young George Sanders portrays Indifference, with the attitude to match. But Observer, played by a very young Torin Thatcher, challenges Player to just give the power to one person as a test.
So, this fantasy comedy goes into high gear when the person Player endows with the power is George Fotheringay, played by Roland Young. Once discovered to have the power of miracles, George is advised, counseled, coaxed, cajoled and coerced to use his powers in every way imaginable. Will he create the perfect society where there will be no disease or illness or poverty? Will he heal all the sick and ailing? Will he eliminate the wants of all people? Will he make himself super rich and ruler of the world? And what will the world be like, and how will it affect all people, if he were to do any or each of these things?
Well, "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" does several small miracles while considering what negative effects any larger ones might have.. Then, he becomes crazed with his powers and stops the earth spinning in its rotation around the sun. As the world begins to crumble he desperately asks for a return to the night before he received any powers, and he is back.
This is a good comedy and social story about the goodness and acceptance of life as one finds it. And, of what power can do to a person. I didn't read the short story the film is based on, but understand that the author, H. G. Wells, himself worked on the expanded story for the screen version.
A number of fine British actors of the day join Young in this film. A young Joan Hickson plays Effie, and Ralph Richardson is very good as Colonel Winstanley. This is an early black and white fantasy film that many modern audiences may find too slow. But, movie buffs, readers and literary fans of H. G. Wells should enjoy it. Here are some very good segments of dialog.
Police Superintendent Smithells, "It's some more of it, sir." Col. Winstanley, "More what?" Smithells, "There's been a serious outbreak of miracles in the district, sir. What, beyond anyone's experiences." Colonel, "Miracles?" Smithells, "Yes, sir, miracles." Colonel, "There aren't such things." Smithells, "Not properly, sir, which makes it so disconcerting, sir."
Colonel Winstanley, "If you put an end to competition, make work unnecessary, give people more money than they know what to do with, then I ask you - what are people going to do?" George Fotheringay, "Well, I'm uh, I'm a bit puzzled about that myself. But Mr. Maydig... Maydig says we oughtta just go about loving one another." Colonel, "Go about loving one another. Go about loving one another? Are you... are you mad, sir? Are you human? Have you no sense of decency - the most private, the most sacred feelings." George, "Mr. Maydig seemed to feel so differently about it all."
George Fotheringay, "Well, wh, wh, why do we wanna borrow money? What do you say, if you debenture... Mr. Bamfylde, the banker, "You must have the thing on a sound, financial basis." George, "Ah, we've gotta make money by it?" Major Grigsby, "Solvency, sir, is the test of service." George, "Mmm. If we want money, why don't we make it right away?" Bamfylde: "Yyyyyou can't do that without disastrous results."
Mr. Bamfylde, "People must want money." Major Grigsby, "And they must want commodities." George Fotheringay, "But if I can give them everything they want, the...."
Mr. Bamfylde, the banker, "Mr. Fotheringay, I can assure you I have studied these questions - many profound questions, before you were born. Human society is based on want. Life is based on want. Wild-eyed visionaries - I name no names, may dream of a world without need. Cloud cuckoo-land. It couldn't be done." George, "It hasn't been tried, has it?"
George. Fotheringay, "No, I'm all for more and better change."
Colonel Winstanley, "I tell you; this measly little draper's assistant is the most dangerous lunatic loose."
George Fotheringay, "Maggie, there's something frightening about this miracle-working." Maggie Hooper, "I, I told you to get advice about it." George, "I get nothing but advice; but it's all different. I don't know where I am. I'm all full of wonder, and I, I daren't let 'em loose. I, I get thinking of things, and wanting things. I can't tell you. I, I got a bad imagination, Maggie. I got a dangerous imagination." Maggie, "Well, what'd I tell you? You go and see Mr. Maydig."
The audience knows where the power comes from because the opening of this fantasy film has three celestial men of some power, looking down upon the earth - which the audience is spared from seeing. One of them is Player (played by Ivan Brandt), an angel or mythical god or other celestial being who wants to find out what would happen if men were given full powers to do whatever they wanted. Two other celestials confront him. A very young George Sanders portrays Indifference, with the attitude to match. But Observer, played by a very young Torin Thatcher, challenges Player to just give the power to one person as a test.
So, this fantasy comedy goes into high gear when the person Player endows with the power is George Fotheringay, played by Roland Young. Once discovered to have the power of miracles, George is advised, counseled, coaxed, cajoled and coerced to use his powers in every way imaginable. Will he create the perfect society where there will be no disease or illness or poverty? Will he heal all the sick and ailing? Will he eliminate the wants of all people? Will he make himself super rich and ruler of the world? And what will the world be like, and how will it affect all people, if he were to do any or each of these things?
Well, "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" does several small miracles while considering what negative effects any larger ones might have.. Then, he becomes crazed with his powers and stops the earth spinning in its rotation around the sun. As the world begins to crumble he desperately asks for a return to the night before he received any powers, and he is back.
This is a good comedy and social story about the goodness and acceptance of life as one finds it. And, of what power can do to a person. I didn't read the short story the film is based on, but understand that the author, H. G. Wells, himself worked on the expanded story for the screen version.
A number of fine British actors of the day join Young in this film. A young Joan Hickson plays Effie, and Ralph Richardson is very good as Colonel Winstanley. This is an early black and white fantasy film that many modern audiences may find too slow. But, movie buffs, readers and literary fans of H. G. Wells should enjoy it. Here are some very good segments of dialog.
Police Superintendent Smithells, "It's some more of it, sir." Col. Winstanley, "More what?" Smithells, "There's been a serious outbreak of miracles in the district, sir. What, beyond anyone's experiences." Colonel, "Miracles?" Smithells, "Yes, sir, miracles." Colonel, "There aren't such things." Smithells, "Not properly, sir, which makes it so disconcerting, sir."
Colonel Winstanley, "If you put an end to competition, make work unnecessary, give people more money than they know what to do with, then I ask you - what are people going to do?" George Fotheringay, "Well, I'm uh, I'm a bit puzzled about that myself. But Mr. Maydig... Maydig says we oughtta just go about loving one another." Colonel, "Go about loving one another. Go about loving one another? Are you... are you mad, sir? Are you human? Have you no sense of decency - the most private, the most sacred feelings." George, "Mr. Maydig seemed to feel so differently about it all."
George Fotheringay, "Well, wh, wh, why do we wanna borrow money? What do you say, if you debenture... Mr. Bamfylde, the banker, "You must have the thing on a sound, financial basis." George, "Ah, we've gotta make money by it?" Major Grigsby, "Solvency, sir, is the test of service." George, "Mmm. If we want money, why don't we make it right away?" Bamfylde: "Yyyyyou can't do that without disastrous results."
Mr. Bamfylde, "People must want money." Major Grigsby, "And they must want commodities." George Fotheringay, "But if I can give them everything they want, the...."
Mr. Bamfylde, the banker, "Mr. Fotheringay, I can assure you I have studied these questions - many profound questions, before you were born. Human society is based on want. Life is based on want. Wild-eyed visionaries - I name no names, may dream of a world without need. Cloud cuckoo-land. It couldn't be done." George, "It hasn't been tried, has it?"
George. Fotheringay, "No, I'm all for more and better change."
Colonel Winstanley, "I tell you; this measly little draper's assistant is the most dangerous lunatic loose."
George Fotheringay, "Maggie, there's something frightening about this miracle-working." Maggie Hooper, "I, I told you to get advice about it." George, "I get nothing but advice; but it's all different. I don't know where I am. I'm all full of wonder, and I, I daren't let 'em loose. I, I get thinking of things, and wanting things. I can't tell you. I, I got a bad imagination, Maggie. I got a dangerous imagination." Maggie, "Well, what'd I tell you? You go and see Mr. Maydig."