BULLDOG DRUMMOND AT BAY

US, 1937, 79 minutes, Black and white.
John Lodge, Dorothy Mackaill, Victor Jory, Claude Alister, Hugh Miller.
Directed by Norman Lee.

Bulldog Drummond at Bay is one of three Bulldog Drummond films of 1937, the only one with actor John Lodge (the others had John Loder and Ray Milland).

The film focuses on armament races, topical in the years prior to World War Two. The villains have Russian names. The film is B-budget, one of a series of films about Bulldog Drummond, from the novels by Sapper.

The film is interesting because of John Lodge, a relative of the Cabot Lodges and politicians. He himself stopped making films after 1940, served in World War Two, was elected to the House of Representatives as a Republican, became governor of Connecticut, later ambassador to Spain.

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.The 30s issues of armaments, foreign powers, Russians travelling between the Continent and England? The headquarters in Scotland? Kalinsky and his notoriety, the newspaper headlines? The abduction of the scientist? Gregoroff and his insubordination, killing Kalinsky, stealing the plane?

4.Doris, her visiting Drummond, trying to drug him, his suspicions? Her work with Kalinsky? The irony of her being undercover, the confrontation with Gregoroff, Drummond rescuing her from the burning castle?

5.The presentation of the British authorities, the scientist, the plane, the control of the plane, destruction?

6.Drummond unmarried in this film? The attraction towards Doris?

7.Films illustrating the styles of the 1930s? For film historians? Film buffs?