MovieChat Forums > Mad Love (1935) Discussion > Dr. Gogol's role

Dr. Gogol's role

posted 18 years ago by jlstill
19 replies | jump to latest

Mad Love is such a great movie. But I often wonder: could any man but Peter Lorre have played this part and actually pulled it off?? Could any other actor have given Dr. Gogol credibility? I can't imagine anyone being able to bring out the silent, creepy, reclusive, yet pitiable quality of Gogol that only Lorre can. I try to imagine the movie without Lorre, and somehow I feel that it would lose a great deal of its excellence. Lorre *made* this film, and elevated it beyond the level of a simple B movie. Any thoughts?

[–] gurtney 18 years ago

I agree. Peter Lorre has the ability to absorb himself into the character and create a masterpiece within a film.

Initially I had purchased this as more of a curiosity. I've now watched it so often I can play it in my head.

Great film.

[–] caughtinadream1 18 years ago

Have you seen "The Beast with Five Fingers"? Great Lorre film..My father used to do Lorre impressions when I was young...that was a riot...Maybe you have seen Lorre in "M"...also classic.
R.

[–] jlstill 18 years ago

"Beast with Five Fingers"? I sure have! I loved that film. That's another example of a movie rescued from simple "B-movie" status by Peter Lorre's genius. Yes, it's cheesy...but Lorre's role as Hilary is so deliciously creepy and melodramatic that you're simply sucked in - watching in fascination as his mind snaps bit by bit. "It was ze hand! Ze hand!"

I love "M" as well. His impassioned speech at the end of the film still gives me goosebumps!

[–] frank-b00th 18 years ago

the speech at the end was used by the nazis a few years later ...
they said this is what all jews are like ...

[–] collin-reid 18 years ago

As much as I like Peter Lorre, I believe there are several actors who could have pulled off the role, including Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone, and Edward G. Robinson.

Actually, I think Vincent Price, vintage 1960, would have probably done it best. In 1935 he was too green.

[–] cinepinion 18 years ago

During Lorre's performance in the last reel or two I was vaguely reminded for some strange reason of Edward G. Robinson's last scene in Key Largo...

[–] LCShackley 17 years ago

I don't know if I agree...Lorre's very distinctive face, especially with the shaved head, is part of what makes the character stand out. Boris is too craggy, Basil is too good looking...Maybe Edward G could have done it, but by this time he carried too much baggage from all his other roles. Lorre was virtually unknown at the time he did this film (in the US at least).

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] psychoren2002 18 years ago

I agree. This role and "M" are among his finest on screen. Great actor and a truly horror legend.

[–] Owen-13 13 years ago

Whether some other actor could have done the role is rather moot, but I certainly think that any other actor would have made a very different character out of Gogol. Lorre was, and remained throughout his career, uniquely Lorre.

[–] archsleep 18 years ago

Claude Rains could have taken the role. He was a better actor (blasphemy!) and would have been able to play with audience emotions of pity/contempt/fear just as Lorre does.

What he didn't have is that he wasn't as uniquely creepy looking as Lorre.

[–] VelvetStrokes 18 years ago

I loved this movie. Dr. Gogol reminded me of a mix between Daddy Warbucks, Dr Frederick Treves, and Hannibal Lecter. The ending could have been a little better, but still Peter Lorre's acting in this movie is excellent. I love his eyes and his laugh he has when he's posing as Rollo.

[–] marvel88 17 years ago

Lorre is chilling after he's returned from posing as Rollo.

One thing I've found is that I've enjoyed Peter Lorre is every film I've seen him in. He always delivered top-notch performances and nearly steals the show when he's in supporting roles.

"I know you're in there, Fagerstrom!"-Conan O'Brien

[–] pylgrym 16 years ago

GOGOL is so strange and foreign name that no one but Lorre or Lugosi could have played it - but Karl Freund knew what he was doing, and Gregg Toland,, on of the DPs, would gop on to do "Citizen Kane"!

YE must be born again

[–] joystar5879 10 years ago

Claude Rains would have been perfection....especially as the dignified Surgical Genius. A caring and compassionate man who is normal in appearance and actions most of the time, except that he is Barking Mad in his obsession for Yvonne.

Yvonne would have been wary of someone who looked like Lorre, whereas she might be much more cordial with someone like Rains ("for the good of the show")

Some of the worst killers in history have been VERY ordinary in appearance.

Rains' apparent "normality" could have hit MAD LOVE out of the Park.

I do hope he won't upset Henry...

[–] Panamint 15 years ago

A 1940's actor named Laird Creagar could have done a good job with this role.
He played similar roles in several movies.

[–] enragedferret 15 years ago

Yeah, I've never seen Laird Cregar in any movie, but seeing as how he was considered for Lorre's role in Maltese Falcon, I can see this.

[–] oneoldcrowbone1 13 years ago

Great topic! Lon Chaney (sr.)could do this hang-dog type role in his sleep - but he had been dead for five years when this film was released.
Then Again -
You (thoughtfully - perhaps) did not specify if the actor had to be contemporary with the film(!)....
I would nominate someone perhaps unexpected, like - - Matt Damon!(Talented Mr. Ripley)......
-Rowan Atkinson - for a comedic take......
-Sue Sylvester - for a "Daughter of Lesbos" take......
I think the sorta weird-looking Colin Clive might have done the Dr. Gogol part and Leslie Howard played the Orlac role....it just goes on and on & on......

[–] smileyking1975 10 years ago

I read somewhere that Claude Rains could have played the role, too. I had a nightmare about this movie after I had seen the trailer on YouTube. I heard him say, "It is *I* who am mad!" and he says it close to my ear. I get so spooked about it that I jump out of bed, screaming and run to the bathroom.

Vincent Price could have played him in 1960, too. I loved him in House of Wax. He was sort of a pitiable character in that one.