The Man in Half Moon Street
The Man in Half Moon Street is a 1945 science fiction romantic melodrama dealing with a man who retains his youth and cannot die, living throughout the ages. The plot is similar to Oscar Wilde's Picture of Dorian Gray, except that there are more logical explanations for the eternal youth of the main character. The film is based on a 1939 West End play of the same title by Barré Lyndon, and stars Nils Asther and Helen Walker with direction by Ralph Murphy.
| The Man in Half Moon Street | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Ralph Murphy |
| Produced by | Walter MacEwen |
| Screenplay by | Garrett Fort (adaptation) Charles Kenyon (finished screenplay) |
| Based on | The Man in Half Moon Street by Barré Lyndon |
| Starring | Nils Asther Helen Walker |
| Music by | Miklós Rózsa |
| Cinematography | Henry Sharp |
| Edited by | Tom Neff |
Production company | Paramount Pictures |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
A scientist, Dr. Karell (Asther), has discovered a treatment that can indefinitely prolong his life, using glands stolen from human victims. Having kept his achievement secret for over a century of continuous youth, Karell now has to contend with the curiosity of his new girlfriend Eve (Walker), the increasing guilt of his colleague Dr. Van Bruecken (Schünzel), and a police investigation of his most recent murder. Above all, he needs a renewal of his treatment, or else the mortality he has been evading will catch him at last.
Cast
- Nils Asther as Dr. Julian Karell
- Helen Walker as Eve Brandon
- Reinhold Schünzel as Dr. Kurt van Bruecken
- Paul Cavanagh as Dr. Henry Latimer
- Edmund Breon as Sir Humphrey Brandon
- Morton Lowry as Alan Guthrie
- Matthew Boulton as Det. Insp. Ned Garth
- Brandon Hurst as Simpson-Butler
Home video
This film is now available on DVD from a number of vendors. The 1959 Hammer Films remake, The Man Who Could Cheat Death, is available on DVD from Legend Films.