THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (1945)

[Captain Dallas]

If there's a film crying out for a DVD release it's Albert Lewin's flawless version of Oscar Wilde's novel.

Everything about the production is perfect from Hurd Hatfileld as the perfectly cast Dorian Gray giving him just the right amount of aloofness, youth and gullability. It's, IMHO, a great film bolstered by what amounts to a brilliant cast, where no-one stands out. The ensemble acting of George Sanders, Angela Lansbury, Peter Lawford, Donna Reed and Lowell Gilmore as the artist Basil Hallward.

I've tried MGM's website regularly to see if a release date is imminent, but it's been in vain.

Sorry to go on about how brilliant both technically and dramatically this film, but it deserves to be re-asssessed and hopefully re-issued.

Anyone with ANY information about this film, let me know

[Bradman]

I don't have any information to pass on but I certainly agree that it should be available on DVD, if it is released then I will race you to be first in the queue. The film was a very convincing portrayal of the novel, excellent acting and a very authentic atmosphere. A relative of mine saw the film when it was first released and said that there was a huge collective gasp from the audience when the portrait was first unveiled.

[EMB]

Very well done, and Hatfield never had a better roll. I suspect he was something of a bland actor, but somehow he's absolutely perfect for this film. I agree, there should be a DVD release of this one!

ED

[Scotty]

A movie was made out of The Picture of Dorian Gray?!?! Why didn't I know about this? That's one of my favorite books, which normally would make me suspicious of the quality of the movie, but you all seem to agree that it was well done.

[Ravenjazz]

I also love this film however, there is an even better version entitled The Portrait of Dorian Gray that was done by PBS in the late 70s I believe.

[Imhotep's Ashes]

DVD is basically my only access to these classic films, so I'll support the release of this one. Another 1940's horror film to check off the list!

[Classic Movie Man]

It has its ludicrous side. Hurd Hatfield's Dorian (who sells his soul to keep his youth) doesn't look fresh; he looks glacéed. And the other characters don't seem to age with the years either, so there's no contrast with him. But the Oscar Wilde story has its compelling gimmick and its cheap thrills, and despite the failings of Albert Lewin as writer and director, he has an appetite for decadence and plushy decor. Neither Hatfield, who tries scrupulously hard, nor George Sanders, who plays the epigrammatic Wilde figure, Lord Henry Wotton, rises above Lewin's chic gothic conception, but as Dorian's victim, gullible Sibyl Vane, the young Angela Lansbury gives her scenes true depth of feeling. This may be her most intuitive and original screen performance. When she sings "Little Yellow Bird" in a pure, sweet voice, the viewer grasps that the man who would destroy this girl really is evil. With Donna Reed, Lowell Gilmore, and Peter Lawford. The cinematography is by Harry Stradling; the Albright brothers—Ivan and Zsissly—painted the series of portraits. (A 1970 version, starring Helmut Berger and released by A.I.P. under the name DORIAN GRAY, is more like FANNY HILL.) MGM. .(Pauline Kael review)

CMM : Enjoyed it a bit more than Miss Kael. Almost a film of two halves : it starts a bit precious and stiff upper lip but becomes quite compelling as the portrait changes and Dorian frantically tries to hide it. (3 out of 5)

[R Michael Pyle]

Somebody must have dumped stinging acid into Pauline Kael's coffee the morning she wrote that review. This classic film is beautifully acted and perfectly realized. It should be seen by all classic movie buffs. I promise you'll love it! As for Kael, she'll get over it - I hope.

[EMB]

I have to agree with Ms. Kael(who died in 2001, BTW): this is a grand failure of a movie. From a visual standpoint, it works, but it's dubiously cast--Hurd Hatfield had no charisma whatsoever, and this was a portent of his checkered career to come. George Sanders was good(wasn't he always?)while Lansbury in her youth could be a remarkable and fresh actress, and her Sibyl is an affecting young lady, the best thing going on here.

I wonder if the big mistake was having a stolid studio like M-G-M film this one. Putting Wilde on celluloid was always a challenging endeavor(many have tried, not sure anyone has succeeded), and the dark perversity of Oscar's tome is missing here, along with the necessary passion and dark brooding. The portraits(shown in Technicolor in an otherwise B&W movie)are well done.

ED

[Bradman]

This is one of my favourites, it isn't perfect (What is?) but whatever are any faults they don't bother me at all, I just enjoy watching it. If it is on TV (Rarely ) then I have to watch all of it, unlike other films I couldn't watch just a part of it. I think that Hurd Hatfield was a good choice for Dorian Gray, I used to think that he should have been more animated and should have shown more emotion, but gradually I realised that his portrayal, as a glacial aesthete, was correct and quite probably what the director wanted. I liked the atmosphere of the movie, I think that it did very well in capturing the general tone of the book. I think that if there was a modern version then it could be more accurate, it could be much darker but I doubt if those changes would make it more engrossing or more compelling.

[Ferdy]

I agree with Bradman. I have always found this film chilling, and Hatfield is the reason why. There is a Val Lewton quality to it I find very appealing. I'm also a fan of Ivan Albright. Several of his paintings hang at the Art Institute of Chicago, and once the Dorian Gray portrait hung there temporarily. It's something to see up close!

[Bigmouth]

I concur with Kael. The Picture of Dorian Gray is my favorite novel. The movie did not do it justice.

[mbjclasicfilmfan]

I've seen the film several times over and i enjoyed it. Hurd was removed enough,George sanders was ,well george,angela was tragic enough.I haven't read the book so i'm sure it was better.They always are.