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.[1] 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 byRalph Murphy
Screenplay byGarrett Fort (adaptation) Charles Kenyon (finished screenplay)
Based onThe Man in Half Moon Street by Barré Lyndon
Produced byWalter MacEwen
StarringNils Asther
Helen Walker
CinematographyHenry Sharp
Edited byTom Neff
Music byMiklós Rózsa
Production
company
Paramount Pictures
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • January 19, 1945 (1945-01-19) (New York City)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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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

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Home media

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Never released officially on DVD, the film was released on Blu-ray in 2023 by Imprint Films, Australia from a new 2K scan. The 1959 Hammer Films remake, The Man Who Could Cheat Death, is available on DVD and Blu-ray from several labels.

References

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  1. ^ "The Man in Half Moon Street". afi.com. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
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