Film Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray, Based on a Novel by Oscar Wilde, Directed by Albert Lewin

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The film “The Picture of Dorian Gray” has a release date of 1945. The basis of the film is from a novel written by Oscar Wilde entitled “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” The film direction is by Albert Lewin and stars George Sanders, playing Lord Henry Wotton, and Hurd Hatfield, playing Dorian Gray. It is a dramatic horror film. The film is black and white. However, when the portrait of Dorian Gray is in view, the picture is in color. This film won an Academy Award for Cinematography, black and white, by Harry Stradling Senior. The film was also nominated for Best Art Direction, Interior, Decoration, Black and White, and Best Supporting Actress.

The protagonist, Dorian Gray wishes to remain young and handsome forever. Dorian Gray would give anything to remain handsome including his soul. Unknown to Dorian Gray, the portrait of him ages rather than himself. An ancient Egyptian statuette of the goddess Bast makes the granting of the wish possible. The granting of the wish transpires inside the home of the painter Basil Hallward, played by Lowell Gilmore.

After some indiscretions and sins, Dorian Gray realizes his wish has come true. He obtains knowledge of the granting of his wish upon viewing his portrait, which has become more sinister in appearance. Dorian commits all sorts of sins pride, envy, lust, sloth, gluttony, greed and wrath. Dorian receives an influence from the witty yet hedonistic friend Lord Henry Wotton. With the advice of his friend Lord Henry, Dorian deliberately ruins a romance with the vaudeville singer Sibyl Vane, played by Angela Lansbury, nominated for an Academy Award, best supporting actress.

Dorian blames his indiscretions without consequences on the painter of his portrait, Basil Hallward. Dorian stabs Basil to death. In order to dispose of the body of Basil, Dorian blackmails an old friend Alan Campall, played by Douglas Walton, to clean up the bloody mess. After killing Basil, Dorian defiles Basil’s niece Glayds, played by Donna Reed. Dorian frequents opium dens. The film alludes to a potential homosexual relationship between Dorian, Basil and perhaps Alan. In the novel, the homosexual relationships are clear much to the chagrin of Oscar Wilde.

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was born on October 16, 1854, and died on November 30, 1900. He was awarded a scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied from 1874 to 1878 and became a part of the Aesthetic movement; one of its tenets was to make an art of life. Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright, poet and author of numerous short stories and one novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”

Oscar Wilde was bisexual. During the trial of Oscar Wilde for gross indecency, the prosecution to obtain a conviction used his only novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. On 25 May 1895, Wilde was convicted of gross indecency and sentenced to two years' hard labor. Prison was unkind to Wilde's health and after he was released on 19 May 1897. He spent his last three years penniless, in self-imposed exile abroad and cut off from society and artistic circles. Oscar Wilde spent his last years in the Hôtel d'Alsace, now known as L'Hôtel, in Paris. Wilde died of cerebral meningitis on 30 November 1900.

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