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THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY This Weekend at Webster University
“If only it was the picture who was to grow old, and I remain young. There’s nothing in the world I wouldn’t give for that. Yes, I would give even my soul for it.”
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (1945) screen this Friday through Sunday (June 10th-12th) at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 E. Lockwood, Webster Groves, MO 63119). The film begins each evening at 8:00.
Hurd Hatfield plays the title character in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, an extremely handsome man of inherited wealth in Victorian England, who at age 22 has his portrait painted by his friend Basil Harwood. After the painting is finished Dorian wishes that he could remain forever young and the painting grow old. He does this in the presence of a replica of an Egyptian idol (a cat) that by legend has the ability to grant such wishes. Dorian gets his wish, although he doesn’t realize it at first. The point is, the painting takes on the “life force” of Dorian. That is why the shots of it are the only ones taken in Technicolor in this black and white film. Dorian, in turn, “becomes” the painting. His expression is dull, lifeless, yet he is forever young. Likewise, the painting does more than age. The painting reflects the sins of Dorian to the point that, by the end of the film, the portrait looks like that of a demonic debauched horrible creature with smaller demons surrounding him.
Hatfield plays it bland but that’s the way the character is supposed to be. As for the other players, kudos to a 19-year old Angela Lansbury as Sybil Vane, the tavern singer who captures Dorian’s heart after he has already become his portrait. Also, George Sanders, who convinces Dorian that only a life dedicated to pleasure is worth living, is always convincing and even witty as a devil in human form. THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY is very much worth your time and you’ll have the rare chance to see it on the big screen when it plays at Webster University’s this weekend.
Admission is:
$6 for the general public
$5 for seniors, Webster alumni and students from other schools
$4 for Webster University staff and faculty
Free for Webster students with proper I.D.
Advance tickets are available from the cashier before each screening or contact the Film Series office (314-246-7525) for more options. The Film Series can only accept cash or check.
The Webster University Film Series site can be found HERE
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