Cast
Robert Donat
as William Friese-Greene
Margaret Johnston
as Edith Harrison Friese-Greene
Maria Schell
as Helena Friese-Greene
Renée Asherson
as Miss Tagg
Richard Attenborough
as Jack Carter
Robert Beatty
as Lord Beaverbrook
Martin Boddey
as Sitter in Bath Studio
Edward Chapman
as Father in Family Group
John Charlesworth
as Graham Friese-Greene
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1952
Runtime1h 58m
LanguageEnglish
CertificationU
GenresDrama
Votes25
DirectorJohn Boulting
WritersEric Ambler
TypeFeature Film
Rating6.5 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsThe Magic Box
About The Magic Box
Now old, ill, poor, and largely forgotten, William Freise-Greene was once young and handsome William Green. He changed his name to include his first wife's for the photographic portrait work he excelled at. But he was also an inventor and his search for a way to project moving pictures became an obsession that ultimately changed the life of all those he loved.
Directed by John Boulting, The Magic Box leans on a strong ensemble — Robert Donat, Margaret Johnston, Maria Schell — 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 drama titles of 1952.
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