The Silver Screen Oasis

Sorry W.G. I didn't make it clear. I was referring to Mank's commentary on the Mamoulian version of Jekyll and Hyde (a special feature of the double sided DVD which contains, both the '31 and '41 versions).

Gee, I've got that disc. I'm going to have to listen to the commentary. Thanks Joe!

I like Stevenson's story a lot. I guess I breezed by the short stature thing without pondering. But the story is well crafted.

Ay, it's a pretty good mystery yarn. The revelation at the end must have astonished a fair few readers at the time of the book's original publication.

Interesting story behind Stevenson's inspiration for the book. The man who by day was a respected citizen (a cabinet maker by trade), yet who come nightfall rode as a notorious highwayman. This fellow apparently haunted Stevenson's nightmares for years . . . until he finally put pen to paper and created his classic tale of the ultimate dual personality.

W.G., Wasn't that a fella named Brodie, "Deacon" Brodie? I'm relying solely on memory here.

You betcha, Joe. That's the fella. Deacon Brodie.

Another interesting tidbit about the story is that when R.L.S. gave his wife the manuscript to read, she apparently was so upset and horrified that Stevenson burned the draft and later rewrote it, injecting more morality into the story to appease her sensibilities.

Western Guy wrote: The man who by day was a respected citizen (a cabinet maker by trade), yet who come nightfall rode as a notorious highwayman.

That's almost a super hero story. A secret identity!

Just looked him up to refresh my memory. Brodie's criminal career and double life lasted from 1768 till 1788--when he was hanged. (reportedly before a crowd of 40, 000 people!). That's some going! What a great picture they could've made out of that, with, let's say, Boris Karloff.

You know, Joe, in a way they kinda did. Check out Karloff in THE HAUNTED STRANGLER.

The website frenchfilmsite.com carries a review of this picture which may be of interest, by one, James Travers.

Watched the 1932 version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - off my DVR and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Fredric March in the starring role. Miriam Hopkins and Rose Hobart were sensational.

It's my favorite of the various versions and Fredric March is sensational. No matter how many times I watch the film I cannot connect the actor playing the bestial Hyde with the actor portraying the gentle and compassionate doctor. It's as if another performer took over the "monster" role. No wonder March won an Oscar for his portrayal.

W.G. I can detect a little of March's Jekyll in his Hyde. There's a subtle hint of the repressed arrogance bubbling just beneath the surface as he talks with Lanyon after the Carew dinner party (when his hopes of an early wedding date are dashed). I've watched this a couple of times again lately, and it gets a little better each time. One of the best scenes comes when Hyde confronts the stuffy Lanyon: "You, who have sneered at the miracles of science and denied man the right to look into his own soul. You, who have DERIDED YOUR SUPERIORS (my emphasis), look, look..."

I should watch for those subtleties a little closer, Joe. But it seems each time I watch the film I concentrate on how that Hyde makeup and that sneering voice are so totally different from March's Jekyll. Again, that's what makes it such a magnificent performance. Tracy's Jekyll and Hyde are much easier to recognize as being played by the same actor.

Wonder any stills exist of March being made up as Hyde.