Korda Brings Wells Comedy To Screen

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 291, 9 December 1936, Page 11

Korda Brings Wells Comedy To Screen

“THE MAN WHO COULD WORK MIRACLES”

(Regent: Screening Soon.)

The London Films’ production of the H. G. Wells story, “The Man Who Could Work Miracles,” Is heralded. The brilliant partnership of H. G. Wells and Alexander Korda which scored such a triumph in “Things to Come, ’ ’ has now turned Its attention to comedy.

There is not much resemblance between the two films, except for the remarkable special effects achieved in the production. The Wellsian plot has been brilliantly conceived. It is quietly philosophical in its trend and conclusions, makes a sly dig at the leaders of every branch of society through the reactions of the central character, and in doing so compels all of average intelligence to laugh and think at the same time; no mean achievement. Korda seizes upon it to present a series of skilful illusions that are alternately hilarious and spectacular.

The story concerns a little man who I became an experiment of the immortals and found himself suddenly invested with the power to work miracles. Roland young plays the part of an obscure assistant in a drapery store in a small English country town, and rejoices in the name of George McWhirter Fotheringay. One evening in the public bar at the local inn he discovered that he could work miracles, and the peace of this quiet country town is rudely interrupted by a succession of astonishing events. Ralph Richardson plays the role of Colonel Winstanley, ( an old soldier who is at first violently resentful of Fotheringay’s miraculaus powers, but a few demonstrations to the Colonel’s acute discomfort soon convince him that it is useless to battle against these inexplicable happenings such as the sudden erection of a mammoth palace at the hero’s request.