The Man Who Played God

"'A Modern Drama From Real Life'"

Feb 20 1932 TV-G 1h 20m
Drama, Romance

While giving a private performance for a visiting monarch, concert pianist Montgomery Royale is deafened when a bomb is detonated in an attempt to assassinate the foreign ruler. With his career over as a result of his injury, Royale returns to New York City with his sister Florence, close friend Mildred Miller, and considerably younger fiancée Grace Blair. After abandoning thoughts of suicide, Montgomery discovers he can lip read, and he spends his days observing people in Central Park from his apartment window. As he learns of people's problems, he tries to help them anonymously. He becomes absorbed in his game of "playing God" but his actions are without sincerity.

Plot

Montgomery Royle is a famed pianist whose student, the much younger Grace Blair, believes herself to be in love with him. When an explosion destroys Royle's hearing, he is bitter at the loss of his art and profession. His sister Florence persuades him to learn lip-reading as a way to break out of the isolation of deafness. Royle discovers a new meaning to his life when he uses his new lip-reading knowledge to help others. But the new skill has serious ramifications for his relationship with Grace.

Written by

Jules Eckert Goodman, Gouverneur Morris, Julien Josephson

Directed by

John G. Adolfi

Cast

George Arliss, Bette Davis, Violet Heming

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures

Languages

English, Français

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
1,295
Average Rating
6.8 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA