The Mad Genius (1931): cast, story & where to watch
1931 · Film · ★ 6.3
Released in 1931, The Mad Genius is a drama, horror and romance film directed by Michael Curtiz, running about 81 minutes. “Cruel passions! Mad longings! A monster playing with the souls of his fellow beings!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A crippled puppeteer rescues an abused young boy and turns the boy into a great ballet dancer. Complications ensue when, as a young man, the dancer falls in love with a young woman the puppeteer is also in love with.
Who’s in it. The Mad Genius stars John Barrymore as Vladimar Ivan Tsarakov, Marian Marsh as Nana Carlova, Charles Butterworth as Karimsky and Donald Cook as Fedor Ivanoff, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, The Mad Genius has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Mad Genius page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Mad Genius tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Mad Genius (1931)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Mad Genius change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Mad Genius worth watching?
- The Mad Genius holds an audience score of 6.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, horror and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Mad Genius?
- The Mad Genius stars John Barrymore, Marian Marsh, Charles Butterworth, Donald Cook and Luis Alberni.
- When was The Mad Genius released?
- The Mad Genius was released in 1931, with a runtime of about 81 minutes.