Released in June 1945 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the film was directed by Albert Lewin, and stars George Sanders as Lord Henry Wotton and Hurd Hatfield as Dorian Gray.

After callously breaking off his engagement to tavern singer Sibyl Vane, Gray finds the portrait has begun to change and wonders if his wish may have come true.

He has the portrait locked away in his old schoolroom and disguises its location by firing servants who moved the painting, while Gray, after Sibyl's suicide, becomes more dedicated to a sinful and heartless life.Years later, Dorian is 40 but still looks 22.

His friends, realizing what has happened, burst into the schoolroom to discover Gray dead next to the portrait, his deformed body now reflecting his sins in physical form.

[10] Leslie Halliwell gave it three of four stars: "Elegant variation on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, presented in portentous style which suits the subject admirably."

[11] Pauline Kael wrote: "It has its ludicrous side...But the Oscar Wilde story has its compelling gimmick and its cheap thrills, and despite the failing of Albert Lewin as writer and director, he has an appetite for decadence and plushy decor.

Neither Hatfield, who tries scrupulously hard, nor George Sanders...rises above Lewin's chic gothic conception...But as Dorian's victim, gullible Sibyl Vane, the young Angela Lansbury gives her scenes true depth of feeling."

[12] Leonard Maltin gave the film three and a half out of four stars in his Movie Guide: "Haunting Oscar Wilde story...Young Lansbury is poignant...Sanders leaves indelible impression as elegant heavy."