The Man Who Played God (1932): Cast & Plot
The Man Who Played God is a 1932 romantic drama directed by John G. Adolfi, starring George Arliss as Montgomery Royle, Bette Davis and Violet Heming. It runs 1 hour 20 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 20m (80 min)
- Director
- John G. Adolfi
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Man Who Played God About?
The premise of The Man Who Played God without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
While performing privately for a visiting monarch, pianist Montgomery Royle is rendered deaf by a bomb meant for the ruler. His career ends, and he returns to New York with his sister Florence, friend Mildred Miller and much younger fiancée Grace Blair. Rejecting suicide, he discovers he can lip‑read, watches Central Park from his window and begins helping strangers anonymously, absorbed in his self‑appointed role of “playing God.”
The Man Who Played God Themes & Keywords
· 38 tags- pianist
- deafness
- crisis of faith
- attempted suicide
- manhattan new york city
- central park manhattan new york city
- arc de triomphe paris
- male female relationship
- violin
- tuberculosis
- sister
- shoplifting
+26 more Show fewer
- secretary
- santa barbara
- romantic rivalry
- religion
- prayer
- police
- poison
- philanthropist
- paris france
- organ
- new york city
- king
- hotel
- heredity
- explosion
- engagement
- eiffel tower paris
- eavesdropping
- concert
- church
- butler
- bitterness
- binoculars
- american abroad
- lip reading
- based on play
The Man Who Played God Cast & Characters
George Arliss leads the cast as Montgomery Royle, with Bette Davis as Grace Blair and Violet Heming as Mildred Miller. Directed by John G. Adolfi; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director John G. Adolfi
- George Arliss as Montgomery Royle
-
Bette Davis as Grace Blair - Violet Heming as Mildred Miller
- Louise Closser Hale as Florence Royle
Also Starring in The Man Who Played God
· 8 more- Donald Cook Harold Van Adam
- Ray Milland Eddie (uncredited)
- André Luguet The King
- Oscar Apfel Appleby - the Lip Reader
- Hedda Hopper Mrs. Alice Chittendon
- Ivan F. Simpson Battle
- Charles E. Evans The Doctor
- Dorothy Libaire Jenny (uncredited)
More from John G. Adolfi
More films directed by John G. Adolfi: Voltaire, The Working Man, The King’s Vacation and Central Park.
The Man Who Played God Plot Summary
What happens in The Man Who Played God from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
During a private performance for a visiting monarch, the renowned concert pianist Montgomery Royle is permanently deafened when a bomb detonates in an assassination attempt on the ruler, ending his musical career and forcing him to confront a world without sound. He returns to New York City from Paris with his sister Florence Royle, his close confidant Mildred Miller, and his much younger fiancée Grace Blair. His longtime manservant and admirer steps in to save him from a fatal resolve, and a fraught realization follows: Mildred convinces him that he has never known true adversity, and he admits that he no longer believes in God.
Full summary
The whole story of The Man Who Played God, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Man Who Played God?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What catastrophic event leaves the protagonist permanently deaf?
The Man Who Played God Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “La oculta providencia” and “Человек, который играл бога”.
- Also known as
-
- La oculta providencia
- Человек, который играл бога
- Човекът, който изигра Бог
- O Homem Deus
- Mannen som spelade gud
Seen The Man Who Played God?
Movies Like The Man Who Played God
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Playing God, God’s Gift to Women and Playing Around.
The Man Who Played God FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Man Who Played God, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Man Who Played God?
The Man Who Played God runs 1 hour 20 minutes (80 minutes).
When was The Man Who Played God released?
The Man Who Played God was released on February 9, 1932.
Who directed The Man Who Played God?
The Man Who Played God was directed by John G. Adolfi.
More films by John G. Adolfi Who is in the cast of The Man Who Played God?
The Man Who Played God stars George Arliss as Montgomery Royle, Bette Davis as Grace Blair and Violet Heming as Mildred Miller, among 12 credited actors.
Does The Man Who Played God have a post-credit scene?
No. The Man Who Played God has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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