Finally on DVD! Warner's DVD features both versions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the classic 1931 Rouben Mamoulain version, and the 1941 Victor Fleming version. First off let us start with the 1931 version. Although dated by today's standards of high-tech filmaking loaded with CGI trickery to distract from mediocre storytelling, this has always been my personal favorite telling of the Stevenson novel. Loaded with symbolism some subtle, and some blatantly obvious, the movie zips along at a nice pace. Fredric March (who won an Oscar) chews up the scenery quite nicely altering between kind and benevolent Dr. Jekyll, and immoral and unscrupulous Mr. Hyde. Some have noted that when the Hyde persona emerges that Mr. March looks like a grotesque parody of Jerry Lewis on bad steroids - sadly this true - however keep in mind of the era in which this film was shot, and for what it's worth Mr. March almost suffered permanent disfigurement because of the painful make-up applications. These were the days before Dick Smith and Stan Winston. The film also boasts a fine supporting cast especially by (back then hottie) Miriam Hopkins as the ill-fated "Champagne Ivy" who oozes with sensuality and delivers a performance on par with March's. Furthermore the film is really elevated by Mamoulain's solid direction, and incredible cinematography (Oscar-nominated) by Karl Struss, which features even by today's standards some great (a first) P.O.V. shots, wipes, and dissolves. The transformation scenes are very effective and convincing, and still hold up very well for first time viewers. Also of noteworthy mention is the fact of how severely the movie was censored after its initial screenings for being too explicit in its sexual and violent overtones, timid by comparisons of what we see and hear today, but quite shocking to the ruling class (Christian and church groups especially) back in 1931, that caused the film to be shorn by 18 minutes of footage - now restored.
The 1941 version however is also good especially for Ingrid Bergman's tour-de-force performance (which she would top three years later in "Gaslight") as the fatal beauty of Hyde's jealous lust. Spencer Tracy dispenses with the heavy make-up that Fredric March had to endure and tries for a more low-key, yet just as sinister and evil Mr. Hyde - many think he was miscast as the lead - however that is a question of taste, also the same can be said about Lana Turner's character being too beatific. However on the plus side the film has an amazing dream/ nightmare scene with Bergman and Turner as centaurs being driven by whip-wielding Spencer Tracy. The Oscar-winning cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg is lush giving the film a wonderful atmosphere - especially the foggy gaslight lit streets. A great (also Oscar-nominated) score by Franz Waxman is the icing on the cake. Although a bit sluggish in its pacing this is still a worthwhile entry in the classic horror genre.
Warner's DVD also includes a really insightful (and not redundant) audio commentary track by author/film historian Greg Mank for the 1931 version, but unfortunately none for the 1941 version - the only bonus for that version is the original theatrical trailer. Also since this a Warner DVD it wouldn't be a complete tribute without including the Looney Tunes short animated "Hyde and Hare" in which Bugs Bunny is adopted by none other than Dr. Jekyll.
The 1941 version however is also good especially for Ingrid Bergman's tour-de-force performance (which she would top three years later in "Gaslight") as the fatal beauty of Hyde's jealous lust. Spencer Tracy dispenses with the heavy make-up that Fredric March had to endure and tries for a more low-key, yet just as sinister and evil Mr. Hyde - many think he was miscast as the lead - however that is a question of taste, also the same can be said about Lana Turner's character being too beatific. However on the plus side the film has an amazing dream/ nightmare scene with Bergman and Turner as centaurs being driven by whip-wielding Spencer Tracy. The Oscar-winning cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg is lush giving the film a wonderful atmosphere - especially the foggy gaslight lit streets. A great (also Oscar-nominated) score by Franz Waxman is the icing on the cake. Although a bit sluggish in its pacing this is still a worthwhile entry in the classic horror genre.
Warner's DVD also includes a really insightful (and not redundant) audio commentary track by author/film historian Greg Mank for the 1931 version, but unfortunately none for the 1941 version - the only bonus for that version is the original theatrical trailer. Also since this a Warner DVD it wouldn't be a complete tribute without including the Looney Tunes short animated "Hyde and Hare" in which Bugs Bunny is adopted by none other than Dr. Jekyll.