Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932)

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde has been filmed since its March 7, 1908 release. The version staring Fredric March is one hour and thirty-six minutes and was released in theaters on December 31, 1931 and the version starring Spencer Tracy is one hour and fifty-three minutes and was release in theaters on August 12, 1941. The basically follow the same patterns. Dr. Jekyll wants to develop a potion that separates the bad soul from the good soul and in doing so creates the evil Mr. Hyde. Mr. Hyde makes Ivy Peterson his girl by force and later winds up killing her. Mr. Hyde confronts Dr. John Lanyon and Lanyon watches in horror as Mr. Hyde changes into his friend Dr. Henry Jekyll. Dr. Jekyll is unable to control the transformation and must brake off his engagement to Muriel Carew in the 1931 version and Bea Emery in the 1941 version. In conclusion Dr. John Lanyon shoots and kills Mr. Hyde and we watch on last time as Mr. Hyde transform into Dr. Henry Jekyll. There are major differences between the two movies.In the opening scenes in the 1931 version Dr. Jekyll is playing the organ and his butler Poole is reminding him of his lecture. In the 1941 version it opens up during a church sermon and there is a heckler in the church. In the 1931 version Dr. Jekyll gives a lecture his students about the theory of good and bad souls and in the 1941 version, Dr. Jekyll tells his theory at a dinner party. It is also in the 1941 that Dr. Jekyll is seen conducting test on animals to prove his theory. No tests are done in the 1931 version. Fredric March's Mr. Hyde becomes more sinister and primate looking with each transformation. Spencer Tracy's Mr. Hyde had very little make-up to look evil and remained the same features with each transformation. In the 1931 movie Dr. Jekyll sends Poole with fifty pounds to give to Ivy Peterson or Pearson and in the 1941 a messenger boy delivers the money. Also in the 1931 film the movie was shot like a Victorian setting with most of the actors attempting to talk or act British like. In the 1941 version none of the key actors spoke or even tried to act British and even though the movie period was set in London, the movie played like it was set in the United States.Overall Fredric March's Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde was much better filmed and acted and Spencer Tracy's Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde was just outright awful. Since Warner Brothers owns the rights to Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, the only way to buy the 1931 version is as a double feature. The five stars rating goes to the 1931 version only.DVD FEATURES1932Play 1932 VersionScene SelectionSpecial FeaturesA. Commentary by Greg MankB. Bugs Bunny in Hyde and HareC. 1941 Theatrical TrailerLanguages1941Play 1932 VersionScene SelectionLanguages

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. HydeThe Fred March version of Robert L. Stevenson's classic is not only a well-run story, but is a classic presentation of film experimentation.First person camera view is used a lot to great effect in this film. Focusing on the eyes, face and expressions is fun to see as well as the fading between scenes, the two scenes going on at the same time, and makes for a much more interesting viewing experience. 1931 is not that far off from the silent movie era, so this is great to see.Dr. Jekyll (pronounced Jee kel) has a huge house with servants and is a respected scientist. He plays the organ and is in love with the general's daughter, Muriel. He speaks before the University and states the theory that man's soul is of two: to vault the good and the bad 'will fulfill', but things don't work out as well as he thought.He decides to experiment and makes the cocktail that changes him. The transformation sequence is quite well done, with colored filters and make-up that is not too unnatural but it's clear March is enjoying the role.He saves a prostitute from getting slammed. She likes him a lot but being the good doc that he is, leaves her be. But as Hyde, he makes a quick trip back to her place, tortures her and flays her within an inch of her life.He changes a few times and the last time he swears it is the last time. He prepares for his engagement dinner, but then the prostitute comes to him (in response to his sending her money for what pains his alter-ego gave her) and she is positively suicidal at the prospect of Hyde ever returning.Jekyll swears Hyde will never return. Unfortunately he did not bet on the fact that the transformation can occur involuntarily. The change happens in the park when he witnesses a bird getting killed by a cat: "Death, death!".Meantime the dinner party guests wonder what is keeping Jekyll as Mr. Hyde romps through the park to some devious destination.This is the first horror film to win an Academy Award. I can't wait to see the next remake as I hear that one's pretty good, too.Recommended for horror film buffs and filmography fans.

Saw this earlier on a streaming service. I found it pretty compelling and horrifying at the same time despite loosely following the source material. Some scenes feel uncomfortable due to this film being close to the sub gate of being censored by the precursor of the MPAA today. Some material being the sexual scenes as well as the horrifying transformation of Jekyll to Hyde in the climax and creepy mannerisms of Hyde himself.The acting is superb for the actor who plays both Jekyll and Hyde respectively. All the other actors and actresses are ok but it’s hard to connect to them because of the direction of the plot. It tosses a marriage of Jekyll and his sweetheart, and then the psychological breakdown of Jekyll and his savage primal urges. The special effects primitive as they are are cool to watch as you watch Jekyll slowly descend into his alter ego.All in all, this is a gothic horror film that is largely overlooked that needs to be watched. It probably is one of the scariest adaptations of The Strange Case of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde. A bonus note is that there is a Bugs Bunny Loony Tunes short based on the material as well while including slapstick humor does have some disturbing animation.

I saw this on tcm on day and I knew I had to find it on DVD. Its a hoot. U won't regret buying

Great quality. Enjoyed the movie.