MovieChat Forums > The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) Discussion > The portrait was terrifying to me.

The portrait was terrifying to me.

posted 9 years ago by launlori
13 replies | jump to latest

I've never seen this version of the story. I've only seen the modern version but when I had the ability to see this version I jumped at the chance.

I kind of agree with a few people that Hurd Hatfield did a mediocre job of portraying Dorian. He didn't change his personality when he was turning into the monster he eventually became. He played Dorian with the same temperament throughout the entire film.

Did anyone else get as freaked out as I did when they showed the changed portrait?? It was extremely scary to me and I don't get weirded out by stuff like that. I really was afraid to watch the rest of the film.

Maybe, it was because the film is black and white until they show the portrait and the it's in color. Wow, I cannot get the image out of my head. Scary.

Other than the portrait and Hurd's performance I love the film.

[–] crashdummy35 8 years ago

Hatfield definitely could have turned it up a few notches.

Overall I really enjoyed the picture though.

[–] Dragonsouls 8 years ago

I'm still watching it, had it recorded on my DVR tonight. I agree. Hatfield was a bit flat.

[–] crashdummy35 8 years ago

Good movie. Really enjoyed it.

[–] Dragonsouls 8 years ago

I did too, but it wasn't nearly as good as the novel.

[–] slimone (7996) 5 years ago

I think he was meant to be unemotional. His eyes rarely blinked and expression hardly ever changed.

[–] Venus-25 8 years ago

I agree, although the argument could be made that his flat performance reflected that he was the unchanging image. We develop laugh lines and frown lines partly because of how we use our facial muscles.

Personally, my favorite Dorian is Shane Briant from the 1973 version. He has the right look and he gave a great performance.

The Fabio Principle: Puffy shirts look best on men who look even better without them.

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 6 years ago

"Personally, my favorite Dorian is Shane Briant from the 1973 version. He has the right look and he gave a great performance."

That's the one I was thinking of..... the TV movie! He was so gorgeous, and lent the right amount of cruelty to the role.
That 1973 version was also produced by Dan Curtis. You can hear much of the soundtrack from Dark Shadows in it.

[–] dakoko 8 years ago

It reminded me of the illustrations of R. Crumb.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIq9PEWa7tQ

[–] pd3145 8 years ago

The initial painting of young Dorian suddenly burst into color freaked me out.

The monster picture of him was first shown in black and white, then went to color so that did not scare me.

[–] Druff (1447) 9 months ago

> The monster picture of him was first shown in black and white, then went to color so that did not scare me.

You have that backward. The first time the corrupted version is shown is when Basil comes to Dorian's house and demands to see it. It's in color. The painting is shown again in the final act, and then it's in black and white like everything else.

[–] Beau_Buffet (327) 7 years ago

"He didn't change his personality when he was turning into the monster he eventually became. "

The whole point of the movie was that the painting would change, but not himself.

[–] slimone (7996) 5 years ago

Time for me to see it again. Saw it about 10 years ago and I loved it too.

[–] Druff (1447) 9 months ago

My dad was 10 or 11 when it was in theaters and he went to see it, and I wish I had a nickel for every time he told us about how when they showed the corrupted picture, he jumped 10 feet out of his seat and he saw everyone sitting in front of him do the same thing. When I finally saw it myself for the first time about 15 years ago, I could see why. And heard why. I think a lot of it was probably down to the very loud and jarring musical stinger.