Watch The Man Who Played God

The Man Who Played God is a 1932 drama film starring George Arliss, Bette Davis, and Violet Heming. The movie tells the story of Montgomery Royle (Arliss), a famous concert pianist who becomes deaf after a car accident. Despite his newfound disability, Royle remains a generous and compassionate individual who is deeply in tune with people's emotions.

As he tries to cope with his hearing loss, Royle discovers that by using lip reading he can still understand what people are saying. He begins to use this skill to help others by offering advice and consolation to ordinary people struggling with personal problems.

One day, a young woman named Grace Blair (Davis) approaches him with a problem. Grace is in love with a man named John (Hardie Albright), who is in love with another woman. Royle tells her that she should be happy knowing that John loves her, and that it is up to her to decide whether or not to continue pursuing him. Grace takes his advice and decides to move on, eventually falling in love with another man.

Royle's reputation as a master pianist also attracts the attention of Kitty Vane (Heming), a wealthy socialite who is determined to make him play again. Kitty convinces Royle to perform a recital for charity, but he is hesitant at first, fearing that his deafness will prevent him from playing well.

Despite his fears, Royle agrees to play, and the concert is a huge success. However, Royle's public performance also reveals his secret of being deaf, causing him to become ostracized by his peers and leading to a crisis of confidence. Royle begins to question his own worth and ability to help others, feeling that he has lost his art and his purpose in life.

However, this crisis of confidence is ultimately resolved through a personal tragedy that befalls him, which makes him realize the true value of the advice and support he offers to others. He regains his confidence, motivated by the thought that he is still able to help people in meaningful ways despite his deafness.

The Man Who Played God is a touching exploration of the complexities of human emotion and the resilience of the human spirit. The film is beautifully acted, with Arliss giving a particularly moving performance as the deaf pianist who finds a new sense of purpose in life. Davis also shines as the conflicted Grace, while Heming brings a refreshing lightheartedness to the movie as the vivacious Kitty.

Overall, The Man Who Played God is a heartwarming and inspiring movie that still resonates with audiences today. It is a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of using our own personal struggles to help others.

The Man Who Played God is a 1932 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.