Svengali (1931)

In SVENGALI, John Barrymore reprises the stage role that garnered him critical acclaim. Svengali is a masterful and menacing hypnotist, bearded and unkempt, who draws a young woman, Trilby, into his lair. She has worked as a nude model for many artists and now, cajoled by Svengali's manipulative gift, she leaves behind her family in order to pursue a singing career on the concert circuit. What Trilby does not know, however, is that she can perform only upon the hypnotist's command. Svengali and Trilby are pursued by a young artist who, like Svengali, is madly in love with Trilby.

Director Archie Mayo's SVENGALI was the first sound version of this chilling tale, and remains the best. Marian Marsh is tantalizing as Svengali's unwitting victim, but the powerhouse performance belongs to John Barrymore, who was widely considered the greatest living American actor at the time of SVENGALI's release. Barrymore's performance in the title role stands among his very best efforts.