I love most of John Barrymore's films, so when this came on I jumped at the chance to see it. However, I was less than thrilled because this production of SVENGALI really showed its age. Instead of the subtle and engaging performances he was capable of doing, this was John Barrymore at his loudest and least convincing. In 1931, I am sure this style of excessive emoting was acceptable, but today it just looks old,...really, really old. A lot of reviewers on IMDb loved his acting--I am, so far, the lone dissent.
The story itself is kind of fun to watch as long as you suspend your disbelief. Nearly everyone knows that the hypnotic trances and weird glowing eyes are only something you see in movies, but I can forget that for a while and just watch. And, on that level the film does work and it's an interesting curio of the age. Not a particularly GOOD film, but interesting nonetheless. And, it's pretty short so you aren't out much if you, too, think it's only at best average.
The story itself is kind of fun to watch as long as you suspend your disbelief. Nearly everyone knows that the hypnotic trances and weird glowing eyes are only something you see in movies, but I can forget that for a while and just watch. And, on that level the film does work and it's an interesting curio of the age. Not a particularly GOOD film, but interesting nonetheless. And, it's pretty short so you aren't out much if you, too, think it's only at best average.