Magnificent Obsession is a movie that was originally produced in 1935, and then later remade in 1954. The two movies are based on the same story and share similar plot lines, but differ dramatically in the way that they are presented. The general aesthetic qualities of the movies are different with one film being in black and white and has more static images as compared to the remake film which is in color and features more depth as well as movement in the screen shots. The two films are similar in their categories of melodramas because of the plot line; though the acting itself changes in the two movies. The dramatic qualities are much more played out and in effect in the 1954 movie as compared to the older version done in 1935.
The first difference that audiences view in the two movies is the opening credits. In the older version of the film, the credits feature the old Universal Pictures logo with the stars surrounding the text as well as old-fashioned letters in white with music playing in the background. In contrast, the 1954 movie has music playing in the background as well, the words are more active than just scrolling down the screen as in the older version; they are presented one by one and feature fancy black cursive writing. Also, in the older version the credits as well as the entire movie is in black and white while in the newer version, the credits feature color as well as the movie.
The acting is also a key differential element of the two films. In the original film, the acting is much more obviously drawn out as compared to the more dramatic and stylistic acting that we see in the 1954 movie and are more accustomed to today. For instance, in the original version, the actress playing the daughter signals that the man in the elevator is crying by pointing to her eyes and rubbing them. From these clear, blatant symbols signifying that the man is crying the audience is then able to understand what the man is doing, just in case his acting out the crying was not enough. This supportiveness from the other characters in the film, to convey what is happening and what is being acted out highlights the difference in acting as compared to films we are used to today as well as the remake film.
The transition and change of melodrama can be viewed in comparing these two films. In the original film the acting is less realistic, with the drama being visible within the storyline but not as visible in the actors choices. In comparison, in the 1954 film the melodrama is in full swing; from the dramatic music playing throughout to the artistic screen shots symbolizing the loss and dramatic pain that the actors are feeling. For instance, at the end of the first opening clip of the 1954 remake, when the wife discovers that her husband is dead; she walks outside into the immense beauty of Lake Tahoe, where her house is located. The world around her is green and beautiful, while her world personally is shattered and destroyed. These artistic elements and the tie in with beautiful nature in the midst of the greatest despair displays the 1954 film’s artistic qualities that and creative screen shots that were not seen in the original film. Also, this play on the setting to aid in conveying the feelings of what is occurring in the film illustrates the development of not only filming but also melodrama’s as a whole and how they have developed from the 1930’s to the 1950’s as more artistically beautiful than just a drama and tear jerker film.
The two different versions of the movie Magnificent Obsession display a difference in time and the culture of that time period. From watching the two movies, one is able to view the changes that were made in the nine years that separated the original from the remake. Not only were new technologies introduced that transformed movies from black and white film to color, as well as better quality video cameras that make the 1954 movie more artistically pleasing; the development of melodramas as well as acting can be seen in comparing the two films as well.
References:
Stahl, John (Director). (1935). Magnificent Obsession [Motion picture]. United States:
Universal Pictures.
Sirk, Douglas (Director). (1954). Magnificent Obsession [Motion picture]. United States:
Universal International Pictures.
