The Clairvoyant

The Clairvoyant

Year: 1935

Runtime: 81 mins

Language: English

Director: Maurice Elvey

ThrillerMysteryMoving relationship storiesEnduring stories of family and marital dramaPassion and romance

HEXED BY THE EVIL EYE A fake psychic suddenly turns into the real thing when he meets a young beauty. (TCM)

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Clairvoyant (1935)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Clairvoyant (1935). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s

The plot unfolds in interwar Britain, a period when music halls, newspapers, and mass entertainment dominate popular culture. Public fascination with predictions and celebrity is central to the narrative. Key events—such as a dramatic Derby win and a mining disaster—ground the story in a recognizable 1930s world.

Location

England

Set in England, the story unfolds across music halls, on trains, and in public venues where predictions captivate crowds. The action spans the touring act, a high-profile Derby day, and a mining site, reflecting interwar British life. The setting emphasizes the performative nature of clairvoyance and its real-world consequences.

🎭 Mystery 🗺️ England 🕰️ Period piece

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:01

Main Characters – The Clairvoyant (1935)

Meet the key characters of The Clairvoyant (1935), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Maximus (Claude Rains)

A stage-born mind-reader whose gift appears to manifest realities whenever Christine is nearby. He enjoys fame and financial success, but his power is unstable and morally ambiguous, forcing him to confront responsibility for the consequences of his visions. He ultimately chooses to give up his gift and retreat from public life.

🔮 mind-reading 🎭 fame ⚖️ responsibility

Christine Shawn (Jane Baxter)

Maximus’s romantic interest and confidant who helps run the act. Her presence unlocks Maximus’s abilities, driving both love and tension as the relationship deepens. She becomes entangled in the moral and public consequences of the predictions.

💘 romance 🗝️ secret code 🧭 influence

Rene (Fay Wray)

The assistant who uses a secret code to aid the illusion, whose jealousy grows as Christine wins Maximus’s attention. He embodies the performative aspect of the act and represents the tensions between truth, deception, and profit.

🎭 deception 🗝️ secret code 💔 jealousy

Mother (Mary Clare)

Maximus’s mother, who warns that his gift may bring harm rather than good. She embodies skepticism toward the newfound power and serves as a moral sounding board for Maximus’s decisions.

🧭 maternal wisdom ⚖️ caution 🛑 warning

Simon (Ben Field)

Christine’s father, a newspaper owner who publicizes Maximus’s predictions. He embodies the media-driven incentives behind the sensationalism and commercial success of the act.

📰 media 💰 fame 👨‍👧 father

Prosecutor (Felix Aylmer)

The courtroom figure who argues that Maximus may have caused disasters by delaying events, challenging the legality and ethics of his abilities. His role underscores the public scrutiny and legal peril surrounding the gift.

⚖️ courtroom 🗣️ argument

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:01

Major Themes – The Clairvoyant (1935)

Explore the central themes of The Clairvoyant (1935), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔮 Fate and Responsibility

Maximus’s gift is a blessing and a burden, revealing that power over fate comes with moral weight. His visions are tied to Christine’s presence, forcing him to consider whether interfering with events is right or reckless. The narrative probes whether true responsibility lies in accepting gifts or relinquishing them to prevent harm.

💘 Love and Jealousy

Christine’s growing affection for Maximus contrasts with Rene’s mounting jealousy, complicating the love triangle at the heart of the act. Romantic desire intersects with exploitation, as personal feelings influence public performance. The relationships push characters to choose between personal happiness and ethical clarity.

📰 Media and Fame

The press and public marvel at Maximus’s prophecies, turning him into a sensational figure. Christine’s father uses the gift to sell newspapers, highlighting how headlines distort or amplify extraordinary abilities. The film critiques the allure and risk of fame in a media-driven society.

⚖️ Guilt and Redemption

Maximus faces scrutiny and legal peril as his predictions are treated as potential causes of disasters. The courtroom showdown investigates whether belief in his power equals responsibility for its outcomes. Ultimately, the story questions whether one can redeem or safely abandon a gift that changes lives.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:01

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The Clairvoyant Summary

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The Clairvoyant Summary

The Clairvoyant Timeline

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The Clairvoyant Timeline

More About The Clairvoyant

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More About The Clairvoyant

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