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Cast
George Arliss
as Montgomery Royle
Violet Heming
as Mildred Miller
Bette Davis
as Grace Blair
André Luguet
as The King
Louise Closser Hale
as Florence Royle
Donald Cook
as Harold Van Adam
Ivan F. Simpson
as Battle
Oscar Apfel
as Appleby - the Lip Reader
Charles E. Evans
as The Doctor
Hedda Hopper
as Mrs. Alice Chittendon
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1932
Runtime1h 20m
LanguageEnglish
CertificationNR
GenresRomance, Drama
Votes10
DirectorJohn G. Adolfi
WritersGouverneur Morris
TypeFeature Film
Rating7.2 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsThe Man Who Played God
About The Man Who Played God
While giving a private performance for a visiting monarch, concert pianist Montgomery Royle 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, Royle 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 and becomes absorbed in his game of "playing God".
Directed by John G. Adolfi, The Man Who Played God leans on a strong ensemble — George Arliss, Violet Heming, Bette Davis — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about romance titles of 1932.
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