The Magic Box

1952    1h 58m    Approved
7.078%63%
Now old, ill, poor, and largely forgotten, William Freise-Greene (Robert Donat) was once very different. As young and handsome William Green he changed his name to include his first wife's so that it sounded more impressive for the photographic portrait work at which he was so good. But he was also an inventor and his search for a way to project moving pictures became an obsession that ultimately changed the life of all those he loved.
Directed By
John Boulting
Studio
Festival Film Productions, Festival Films

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Cast of The Magic Box
  • Robert DonatWilliam Friese-Greene
  • Margaret JohnstonEdith Harrison Friese-Greene
  • Maria SchellHelena Friese-Greene
  • Renée AshersonMiss Tagg
  • Richard AttenboroughJack Carter
  • Robert BeattyLord Beaverbrook
  • Martin BoddeySitter in Bath Studio
  • Edward ChapmanFather in Family Group
  • John CharlesworthGraham Friese-Greene
  • Maurice ColbourneBride's Father in wedding group
  • Roland Culver1st Company Promoter
  • John Howard DaviesMaurice Friese-Greene
  • Michael DenisonReporter
  • Joan DowlingMaggie
  • Henry EdwardsFox Talbot's Butler
  • Mary EllisNell Collings
  • Marjorie FieldingElderly Viscountess
  • Robert FlemyngDoctor
  • Leo GennMaida Vale Doctor
  • Marius GoringHouse Agent
  • Everley GreggBridegroom's Mother
  • Joyce GrenfellMrs Claire
  • Robertson HareSitter in Bath Studio
  • Kathleen HarrisonMother in Family Group
  • William HartnellRecruiting Sergeant
  • Joan HicksonMrs Stukely
  • Thora HirdDoctor's Housekeeper
  • Stanley HollowayBroker's Man
  • Patrick HoltSitter in Bath Studio
  • Michael HordernOfficial Receiver
  • Jack HulbertHolborn Policeman
  • Sid JamesArmy Sergeant
  • Glynis JohnsMay Jones
  • Mervyn JohnsGoitz
  • Barry JonesDoctor
  • Peter JonesIndustry Man
  • James KenneyKenneth Friese-Greene
  • Ann LancasterBridesmaid in Wedding Group
  • Herbert LomasWarehouse Manager
  • John LongdenSpeaker in Connaught Rooms
  • Bessie LoveBride's Mother in Wedding Group
  • Miles MallesonOrchestra Conductor
  • Garry MarshCompany Promoter
  • Muir MathiesonSir Arthur Sullivan
  • A.E. MatthewsOld Gentleman
  • Bernard MilesCousin Alfred
  • Richard MurdochSitter in Bath Studio
  • John McCallumSitter in Bath Studio
  • David OakeClaude Friese-Greene
  • Laurence OlivierPolice Constable 94-B
  • Cecil Parker1st Platform Man
  • Frank PettingellBridegroom's Father in Wedding Group
  • Norman PierceSpeaker in Connaught Rooms
  • Eric PortmanArthur Collings
  • Dennis PriceHarold
  • Michael RedgraveMr. Lege
  • Peter ReynoldsBridegroom in Wedding Group
  • Margaret RutherfordLady Pond
  • Janette ScottEthel Friese-Greene
  • Ronald ShinerFairground Barker
  • Sheila SimNursemaid
  • Oda SlobodskayaSoloist at Bath Concert
  • John Stuart2nd Platform Man at Connaught
  • Marianne StoneBride in Wedding Group
  • Basil SydneyWilliam Fox-Talbot
  • Ernest ThesigerEarl
  • Sybil ThorndikeSitter in Bath Studio
  • David TomlinsonLab Asst
  • Cecil TrouncerJohn Rudge
  • Michael TrubshaweSitter in Bath Studio
  • Peter UstinovIndustry Man
  • Frederick ValkMaurice Guttenburg
  • Amy VenessGrandmother in Wedding Group
  • Charles VictorIndustry Man
  • Kay WalshHotel Receptionist
  • Norman WatsonDoctor in Connaught Rooms
  • Emlyn WilliamsBank Manager
  • Harcourt WilliamsTom
  • Googie WithersSitter in Bath Studio
  • Joan YoungGlove Shop Colleague
  • John SharpFilm Society Member (uncredited)
The Magic Box Reviews

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