The Man Who Could Work Miracles 1936

Celestials decide to experiment with humanity

The Celestials observe Earth from the celestial realms and debate the value of humanity. They decide to test whether lesser beings can handle real power over reality. Their experiment is bounded by a strict rule: no control over free will, as decreed by their master.

Power is granted to George Fotheringay

One Celestial reaches down and grants power to George Fotheringay, a humble English haberdasher's assistant. He discovers he can enact miracles through sheer will. The other Celestials watch to gauge the consequences of this untested gift.

First miracles occur in a pub

In a pub, Fotheringay tests his powers and causes an oil lamp to burn upside down without anyone touching it. He quickly realizes reality can be bent by his will, which unsettles him. This marks the first direct demonstration that miracles are now possible for him.

Domestic miracles in the home

Back at home, he repeats the candle trick and lifts objects like a table and bed. He conjures a cornucopia filled with fruits and rabbits, and a kitten appears beneath it. The domestic experiments reveal the scope and unpredictability of his gift.

Miracles at the clothing store

While working in the clothing store, his miracles extend to everyday life, such as making freckles vanish from a customer's face. The power draws attention and raises questions about responsibility and control. The line between blessing and danger begins to blur.

Unintended curse on a policeman

In a moment of careless use, he curses a policeman to hell, and the man is surrounded by flames and smoke. The officer is subsequently relocated to San Francisco due to the supernatural intervention. The incident demonstrates how quickly his miracles can cause unintended harm.

Maydig plots to use the power for all humanity

The local vicar, Mr. Maydig, schemes to have Fotheringay abolish famine, plague, war, poverty and the ruling class. Maydig’s plan reveals how others want to bend the power to their own ends. Fotheringay grows uneasy about being used as a tool for others’ schemes.

Winstanley and allies threaten the power

Colonel Winstanley and his companions learn of the growing power and threaten Fotheringay with force. Fotheringay proves his invulnerability, turning their gunfire into a futile gesture. The confrontation shows that human hostility cannot easily challenge his gift.

Fotheringay creates a personal kingdom

Rejecting the vicar's utopian plan, Fotheringay conjures a private realm where he is the center of the universe. He transforms Colonel Winstanley’s house into a lavish palace and dresses as a king. He crowns the love interest as queen and rules with grandiose authority.

World leaders urged to build a utopia

From his new palace, Fotheringay commands world leaders to fashion a utopia free of greed, war, plague and toil. Maydig pleads for patience, asking him to wait until the next day. The scene reveals how tempting power can be and how dangerous it is to wield without restraint.

The Earth is stopped to buy time

Ignoring Maydig’s warning, Fotheringay stops the Earth's rotation to gain a day of time. Everything not him is hurled into space as objects and living beings whirl away. Civilization collapses in a single, devastating moment as the world is torn apart.

A desperate reversal and loss of power

Realizing the catastrophe, Fotheringay pleads to undo the disaster and return the world to its prior state. He relinquishes his miraculous abilities in a final act. He returns to the pub and attempts the lamp trick again, only to find himself powerless and unable to replicate the miracle.

Celestial reflections on the outcome

One Celestial notes that the experiment produced negativism, lust and vindictive indignation as humanity’s legacy. The Power giver defends that humans started as apes and still need time to grow up. He suggests that power will be granted gradually so wisdom can keep pace.