The Picture of Dorian Gray

1945  NR  DRAMA  1h 50min

CAST— George Sanders, Hurd Hatfield, Donna Reed, Angela Lansbury, Peter Lawford, Lowell Gilmore, Richard Fraser

MUSIC— Herbert Stothart  DIRECTOR— Albert Lewin  BASED ON— The Picture of Dorian Gray (novel), by Oscar Wilde

     Strange allegory about humanity’s lust for eternal youth. Hurd Hatfield plays Dorian Gray, a self-absorbed young man who longs to be young forever. After seeing a lifelike portrait of himself he wishes that he would stay as he is now and that the image on the canvas would age instead. Unfortunately, his wish is granted. But over the years Gray becomes a somewhat cruel man; likewise he begins to grow tired of his youth while his acquaintances age naturally. Meanwhile, his portrait begins to show a terrifying image: what was once a representation of a man in perfect health becomes a horrible grotesquery. A bit talky at times, but nevertheless an interesting tale, highlighted by a classic performance from the ever droll George Sanders, not to mention glimpses of the shocking picture of Dorian Gray. Oscar-winner for Best Cinematography, Black and White.

OUR RATING— ***

ORIGINAL— The Picture of Dorian Gray (1916/1917/1918)

REMADE AS— The Picture of Dorian Gray (1976)