Monday, February 2, 2015

The Mad Genius (1931)


Warner Bros.
Directed by Michael Curtiz
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Turner Classic Movies)

Puppeteer John Barrymore adopts an abused boy at his traveling sideshow. He grooms him to become the ballet dancer he never could be and their dance company is an international success. However, he rules with an iron fist, succumbing to the temptations of aspiring young girls and using drugs to blackmail his stage director. The boy eventually falls in love with his costar and they flee to Paris to escape Barrymore. A fascinating, dark tale filled with symbolism and a riveting, over-the-top performance by Barrymore.

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