BULLDOG DRUMMOND ESCAPES
US, 1937, 67 minutes, Black and white.
Ray Milland, Guy Standing, Heather Angel, Reginald Denny, Porter Hall, Fay Holden.
Directed by James P. Hogan.
Bulldog Drummond has been portrayed many times on screen from Ronald Colman during the 1920s and including Ralph Richardson in the 1930s. Walter Pidgeon appeared as Bulldog Drummond in 1952, Calling Bulldog Drummond.
However, there was a series of brief films of the 1930s featuring the action detective and his sidekick. They were the kinds of series that were made of The Saint, The Falcon, Mr Moto, Charlie Chan. They provided entertainment as supporting features. They are parallel to the television series of later decades.
The stories are all based on the novels by Herman C. McNeile?, who went under the pseudonym of Sapper.
In the 1930s series, Ray Milland appeared as Bulldog Drummond but the regular portrayer was John Howard. Howard had appeared as Ronald Colman’s brother in Lost Horizon but found his niche in this kind of film. Ray Milland went on to bigger things.
The film and the stories parallel Sherlock Holmes in some way with Bulldog Drummond having an odd sidekick. He is played quite irritatingly by Reginald Denny in the series, always thinking of something else, pratfalls, making mistakes, yet very loyal. Drummond’s girlfriend, Phyllis Clavering, is usually played by Heather Angel. However, Colonel Neilson is played by different actors in the different films. These include Sir Guy Standing and, Cecil B. de Mille’s Jesus from The King of Kings, H.B. Warner. Of particular interest in Bulldog Drummond Comes Back is the presence of John Barrymore as Colonel Neilson. He enjoys himself by taking on a number of disguises – once again in the Sherlock Holmes vein.
There is a variety of villains, probably the most striking is Eduardo Ciannelli in Bulldog Drummond’s Bride, a sinister robber-murderer who is instructing his own sidekick.
The films are brief, black and white photography, inexpensive sets. They capitalise on the British hero, who is an annoyance to Scotland Yard, but whom Scotland Yard admits has an ability to discover the truth about robberies and murders. Over the series, Phyllis Clavering, Drummond’s girlfriend, goes through a number of adventures as well as delays in their marriage but finally the ceremony is performed in Bulldog Drummond’s Bride.
1.The popularity of Bulldog Drummond in literature? On film? The variety of series? The actors portraying him? British, stiff upper lip, man of action, beside the law?
2.The production values, black and white photography, inexpensive sets? Musical score?
3.Bulldog Drummond as a character, between the wars, his own experience, his flat in London, his friendship with Algy Longworth and tolerating him? The interactions with Colonel Neilson? The relationship with Phyllis, rescuing her, putting off the marriage, finally marrying her? His ability in detective work? His being the hero of novels rather than real life?
4.Phyllis, her love for Hugh, being rescued, the marriage put off, her taking a firm stand, the eventual marriage in France after the rescue?
5.Algy, dithering, mistakes, concerned about the birth of his child, wanting to be at its christening? Saying the wrong thing? Doing the wrong thing?
6.Tenney, as a butler, sharing the activities? His sardonic remarks? Usually coming to the rescue with a solution? In action?
7.Colonel Neilson, Scotland Yard, his assistance, his distrust of Hugh’s actions? His agreeing with Hugh’s theories? Going his own way? In on the action? While not letting Drummond know all the information? His various disguises in Bulldog Drummond Comes Back? The other members of Scotland Yard and their attitude towards Drummond?
8.The villains, Henry Armides, the robbery in Bulldog Drummond’s Bride, the killing of the bank manager, the search for the money, his associate, going to France, the bombs, the attack? The other villains – counterfeit plots, abductions? Villains wanting revenge on Drummond for the execution of their relatives? J. Carroll Naish as the sinister villain in Bulldog Drummond Comes Back? Fay Holden (Andy Hardy’s mother in so many films) as a villain in Bulldog Drummond Escapes?
9.Films illustrating the styles of the 1930s? For film historians? Film buffs?
