Friday, February 22, 2019

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945): Oscar Wilde's Novel Brought to Film


     Directed by Albert Lewin, based on the 1890 novel by Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Doria Gray (1945) brings the classic story to film in stylish form. The plot centers on a man who wishes for eternal youth and that his recently painted oil portrait should show the changing effects of aging rather than himself. He makes the desire known in the presence of an ancient Egyptian cat statue and his wish is granted. He retains the look of his early 20's despite the passing of decades and the portrait grows grotesque, while his relationships fall in tragic shambles around him. Wonderful acting mixes with technicolor effects (just on the painting). The cast does a great job all around, including George Sanders, Hurd Hatfield, Donna Reed and Angela Lansbury.

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945

The Picture of Dorian Gray. 1945