The Magician
by W. Somerset Maugham
I feel vindicated. In referring to Michael Benson's "Vintage Science Fiction Films, 1896-1949", I found that someone finally agrees that, at least in some sense, The Magician falls into the category of Sci Fi. I often wondered why other Paul Wegener's films such as Alraune and The Golem are listed but not this. All three are borderline, to be sure. While each has some trappings of science fiction, they all cross over into the realm of fantasy and horror as well.
Perhaps it's the very title; "The Magician" conjures up (pun intended!!) images of a fantasy story. But to my mind, the laboratory scenes and Wegener's "mad scientist" portrayal of Oliver Haddo in The Magician actually evoke more visual s.f. motifs than the other two movies. Or alternatively as the character Dr. Porhoet states the case: "In my youth I believed nothing, for science had taught me to distrust even the evidence of my five senses,…But I have seen many things in the East which are inexplicable by the known processes of science. Mr. Haddo has given you one definition of magic, and I will give you another. It may be described merely as the intelligent utilisation of forces which are unknown, contemned, or misunderstood of the vulgar."
Wegener, who does a great job throughout, is really tremendous in the finale. I often read to enhance my film-watching enjoyment. In this case having first watched the film, the reverse definitely occurred. As I flipped the pages of "The Magician", I couldn't help picturing Herr Wegener as the main character.
A couple of misc. closing comments:
- ENDING SPOILER
The novel does not end as happily as the film.
The heroine dies.
- My first introduction to the words of W. Somerset Maugham were in that most-famous-of-references: "Uncle John's Legendary Lost Bathroom Reader". Essential reading!! My favorite is what Maugham responds to a letter from a young writer: "Do you think I should put more fire into my stories?". He replies "No. Vice Versa."
You gotta love it.
written: 10/26/2003