Film Friday: Magnificent Obsession (1935)
To celebrate Robert Taylor's 105th birthday, which happens to be today, this week on «Film Friday» I bring you the film that made him an international superstar. Directed by John M. Stahl, Magnificent Obsession (1935) tells the story of Helen Hudson (Irene Dunne), the widow of a distinguished doctor and philanthropist who died because the hospital's only pulmotor was being used to revive Robert «Bobby» Merrick (Robert Taylor), a spoiled millionaire playboy who was drunk at the time he nearly drowned. Bobby, a medical student, falls in love with Helen at first sight, but she angrily rejects his romantic advances, as she holds him responsible for her husband's death. One night, Bobby gets drunk again and is given refuge by a sculptor named Randolph (Ralph Morgan), one of the many beneficiaries of Dr. Hudson's money. Randolph reveals to Bobby that the late doctor had an inspiring philosophy: to help people in utter secrecy and never take anything from them in return. LE...