Claude Rains' follow-up to THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933), for which he briefly returned to his native country, was in this stylish psychological thriller; the notion of second sight lying at its center faintly links it with the horror genre – but, then, there is Fay Wray in an adequate dramatic showcase! Rains is, as ever, compelling in the title role; interestingly, the first scene has him rehearsing the mind-reading act with wife/assistant Wray – suggesting that his 'power' is merely a pretense. Later, however, when in the presence of newspaper owner's daughter Jane Baxter, he is able to predict a train wreck – which, discovering to be the one he is traveling on himself, is able to get out of in time! Anyway, this symbiosis proves fortuitous to Rains' career (Baxter thus becomes a fixture in his life) but, at the same time, threatens to disrupt his marriage – especially when the other woman confesses her love for him! The event which turns his fortunes around is his unsuccessful attempt in alerting mine workers to an impending disaster, for which he is eventually brought to trial accused of striking panic into the workers and actually bringing about the tragedy foretold! Prosecuting attorney Felix Aylmer similarly contends that, had he not pulled the cord to disembark during that fateful train journey, the accident would not have happened either! This, of course, is a severe blow to Rains' ego (having just opted to take Baxter's side rather than Wray's because he believes it his destiny to use his new-found gift for the good of mankind!)
but, then, he gets another genuine vision (economically but very effectively handled by shining a spotlight on Rains' bulging eyes) and predicts the mine survivors' burrowing to safety – which, of course, exonerates him of all charges. After this, he gives up his gift and the very last scene has Rains (reunited with Wray) scoffing at another mind-reader's act. Trivia: chubby Graham Moffatt (best-known for his frequent sparring with my favorite British comedian Will Hay) appears briefly as the page-boy who tips the clairvoyant about the winner of the horse-racing derby.
Review of The Clairvoyant
