'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' vs. the Universal Monsters

[BryanBaugh]

Strictly on a technical level, I think Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is superior to the Universal films. Mamoulian has built a very precise language and a way to tell a story quite unique. There are so many little details that go unnoticed and are skillfully inserted throughout this masterpiece.

Much as I love and adore the classic Universal monster movies, I must agree with the above statement. There are Universal films that might be nearer and dearer to my heart than Paramount's Jekyll and Hyde. But I can't deny that, speaking strictly in terms of artistry and overall technical quality, this movie is a supreme piece of work, right up there with James Whale's Bride of Frankenstein.

Fredric March's performance in both rolls - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - is every bit as iconic as Lugosi's Dracula, Karloff's Monster, Chaney Jr's Larry Talbot/ Wolfman... I have often thought that Universal should just buy this movie from Paramount and include it in every future Universal Monsters re-release. It would fit right in!

[BryanBaugh]

[Mike Scott]

I have often thought that Universal should just buy this movie from Paramount and include it in every future Universal Monsters re-release.

Universal does own almost all the Paramount movies from the '30s and '40s except "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". It was bought by MGM when they wanted to do the '41 remake. WB now owns (or, at least distributes) all the MGM stuff, including the '32 J&H.

Great J&H art! Love it!!

[BryanBaugh]

Great J&H art! Love it!!

Thanks! I am better at expressing my appreciation for things through my drawings rather than my words.

[jimm]

Odd that I don't have this in my library of film. I must take corrective action....

[Bonomo]

Odd that I don't have this in my library of film. I must take corrective action....

The double bill March/Tracy version is actually pretty good, includes commentary tracks

[BryanBaugh]

The double bill March/Tracy version is actually pretty good, includes commentary tracks

Yeah that is a top notch classic horror DVD in my opinion. The commentary track on the 32 March version is excellent. Greg Mank does it and he points out all sorts of interesting details - Mamoulian's use of statues to symbolically comment on the action in the scene - among other things.

[jimm]

We'll, I have seen the Tracy on disc, that's how organized the DVD are, I may have the double

[LP_Quagmire]

I agree on this completely. This version of Hyde is as iconic as Karloff's Frankenstein Monster, Lugosi's Dracula or Chaney's Wolf Man, to say the least.

Absolutely, and unlike Lugosi's DRACULA, March's monstrous MR. HYDE feels shockingly contemporary.   

[Earth 2 Chris]

I DVRed this film off of TCM a while back. What a great, GREAT film. It definitely stands tall with Universal's finest!!!

Chris