Svengali

CinemaSerf

John Barrymore is super as the eponymous mystic composer who entrances "Trilby" (Marian Marsh) after she comes to his studio with a desire to be a star; and a tendency to have headaches. Soon his avarice is evident as he ruthlessly exploits his charge (despite/because of his unrequited love for her) - to attain fame and fortune. The story tells the rise and fall tale cleverly, and pacily - with some great contributions from the wily Donald Crisp as the tight-fisted but generous spirited "Laird" and Luis Alberni as his long suffering violinist "Gecko". Dewy-eyed Bramwell Fletcher as "Little Billee" is less convincing as her true love, but this is a great partial-adaptation of George Du Maurier's late 19th century tale of ambition, love and power.