The film was adapted by Sarah Y. Mason, Victor Heerman, and George O'Neil, directed by John M. Stahl, and stars Irene Dunne, Robert Taylor, Charles Butterworth, and Betty Furness.

The life of spoiled Robert Merrick is saved through the use of a hospital's only pulmotor, but because the medical device cannot be in two places at once, it results in the death of Dr. Hudson, a selfless, brilliant surgeon and generous philanthropist.

Merrick confronts a friend of Helen's husband, wanting to know why a beautiful young woman would marry a middle-aged man.

A newly restored version of the 1935 film is included in the Criterion Collection double-disc package titled “Magnificent Obsession”, released in January 2009.

Available in either blu-ray or DVD, the package includes a digital restoration of the 1954 adaptation and extras relating to Douglas Sirk's version.