The Magic Box tells the fascinating and affecting story of the English motion picture pioneer William Freise-Greene (Robert Donat - Goodbye Mr Chips, The 39 Steps), a man who lived only for his work, often sacrificing himself, his family and his fortune to satisfy an obsession - to make pictures move. That he succeeded is undeniable but his strength of purpose was outweighed by his personal failings. The Magic Box is not only the story of Willie Greene the inventor, but also of the two women who loved him, played by Margaret Johnston (The Rake's Progress) and Maria Schell (The Brothers Karamazov), who gave him courage and inspiration to fulfill his ambitions.