Svengali is a masterful and menacing hypnotist, bearded and unkempt, who draws a young woman, Trilby, into his lair. She has worked as a nude model for many artists and now, cajoled by Svengali's manipulative gift, she leaves behind her family in order to pursue a singing career on the concert circuit. What Trilby does not know, however, is that she can perform only upon the hypnotist's command. Svengali and Trilby are pursued by a young artist who, like Svengali, is madly in love with Trilby. Starring Donald Wolfit as Svengali and Hildegard Neff as Trilby.