Magnificent Obsession
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| Magnificent Obsession | |
 First edition cover |
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| Author | Lloyd C. Douglas |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | Willett, Clark & Colby |
| Publication date | 1929 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | NA |
Magnificent Obsession is a 1929 novel by Lloyd C. Douglas. It was one of three of his books that were eventually made into blockbuster motion pictures, the other two being The Robe and The Big Fisherman.
Contents |
[edit] Plot summary
Robert Merrick (Salma) is resuscitated by a rescue crew after a boating accident. The crew is unable to save the life of Dr. Hudson, a doctor renowned for his ability to help people, on the other side of the lake who was having a heart attack at the same time. Therefore, Merrick decides to devote his life to making up for the doctor's life, but in the process, he not only alienates the doctor's widow, with whom he has fallen in love, but also causes another tragedy. This makes him totally re-evaluate his life, and so he decides to become a physician (specifically a brain surgeon), in order to try to replace the loss to the world of Dr. Hudson. The section italicized is in the plot of the movie only. The book plot differs in that Mrs. Hudson, the widow, moves to Europe after Joyce, the daughter of the doctor, marries. Merrick progresses in his career and the final climax of the book involves a railway accident in which Mrs. Hudson suffers a brain injury. Merrick is instrumental in her recovery.
The theme of the book is based on a passage from the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 6:1-4):
"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.....That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."
Douglas wrote a later book in response to the flood of letters he received from readers who wanted to know where they could find the book he referred to in the novel, Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal, which Robert Merrick decoded, and from which learned the secret of the his extraordinary success as a doctor. (According to the book, the secret was the literal practice of doing good deeds secretly, and thereby reaping spiritual power to use in becoming an excellent doctor.)
The story behind the novel, and the identity of the surgeon on whose life it is based, is in this book review.
[edit] Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
- Magnificent Obsession a 1935 film.
- Magnificent Obsession a 1954 film directed by Douglas Sirk.
[edit] Other "Magnificent Obsession" Uses
Steven Curtis Chapman also has a song called "Magnificent Obsession." It appears in the 2003 WOW Christian Hits album.
Considered by some guitarists and musicians as the most "legendary" guitar player to 'never' make it big, James M. Gifford's "current" music project also bears the name, inspired by the movie featuring Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman. Gifford was in the studio or reportedly considering releasing recordings in 1994-1996, and has an entire double-cd of new music and rarities scheduled for January 2009 release on the EMI label of Virgin Records, America. However, known as a firm "isolationist", Gifford disappeared for 10 years, reappearing in music spots on several albums for famous artists, in his typical "I will play, just don't tell" attitude, rarely given credit and royalties. However, his fretwork is noticeable, especially on his custom fretless seven-string, where his speed and melody is compareable to metal's best Yngwie Malmsteen and The Rolling Stones Mick Taylor, who was a huge influence in James early years. The band toured with "Progressive Nation" in 2008, a festival of Progressive Metal that was a brainchild of Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater.
Legendary guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and the aforementioned Malmsteen, have all spoken highly of the skills of James Gifford, but the eccentric guitarist's inability to keep a band intact likely ruined an incredible career. The current band has the music completed, but only time will tell if the current touring band will remain after the album is released. However, it must be noted that in James defense, his gentle nature was once claimed by Slash of Guns n' Roses as "completely passive to the opposite of Mr. Axl Rose...James is just too f'n shy, or he would likely be the biggest name among the guitarists of the 80's and 90's. He simply possesses no ego at all."
(Parts of this article copyright 1999, 2008.)
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