Film Review: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)

1931 is considered to be among the best years for horror films. This reputation was built on Dracula and Frankenstein, two films that, each in its own way, have created the most iconic images in history of the genre. Both films were produced by Universal Pictures, Hollywood studio that would continue making popular horror films in 1930s and become almost exclusively associated with the horror genre in Classic Hollywood era. Yet, the third great film of that annus mirabilis was Paramount's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, directed by Rouben Mamoulian and now considered another horror classic of the era.

It represents the first sound film adaptation of Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, 1886 novella by British author Robert Louis Stevenson, which became one of the more popular works of 19th Century science fiction and horror literature, with its popularity maintained with countless stage adaptations. Script by Samuel Hoffenstein and Percy Heath is in broad terms faithful to Stevenson’s text, but it uses some characters introduced in stage adaptations. The plot is set in Victorian London and the protagonist, played by Fredric March, is Dr. Henry Jekyll, kind idealistic physician who became obsessed with the idea that there are two sides in each human – good and evil, and that the latter can be isolated and suppressed with the help of drugs. Jekyll has a fiancee Muriel Carew (played by Rosa Hobart) who would like to marry immediately, but her father Brigadier General Sir Danvers Carew (played by Haliwell Hobbs) insists that wedding should wait for eight months. In the meantime, while walking on the streets, Jekyll spots and rescues Ivy Pearson (played by Miriam Hopkins), “bargirl” who was attacked by street thugs. He brings her home to attend her injuries, which Ivy uses as opportunity to flirt with kind physician. Nothing comes of it, at least not initially, and Jekyll tries to compensate for Muriel’s absence by experimenting with potion that would split his character in half. He succeeds behind his wildest dreams, but turns in “Mr. Hyde”, primitive, ape-like man with complete lack of morality and violent tendencies. Ivy becomes target of Hyde’s attention and ultimately victim of beatings, rape and, ultimately, murder. Jekyll, after he transforms back into his normal self, is horrified with what he has done and decides to end the experiment, but its effects are so strong that Jekyll will begin to transform in Hyde even without potion. When Muriel returns to London, her life is in danger from Hyde.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was in some ways truly groundbreaking piece in history of the genre. It was the first horror film to actually get Oscar (being nominated in three categories and Fredric March winning in Best Actor category). It was also the first film shown at the very first Venice Film Festival, where got rave reviews and accolades from critics, who were, then and as they are now, usually hostile towards horror genre. Such achievement couldn’t have been possible without some fine film making and this was provided by Rouben Mamoulian, Armenian film maker who became one of the very first directors to start his career in sound era, making his feature debut Applause only two years earlier. Mamoulian wasn’t intimidated by new technical challenges and limitations brought by sound technology and instead insisted on showing off new “flashy” styles and playing with cameras like the authors have done at the end of silent era. In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde this reflected in camera moving and use of first person point-of-view, which makes the film look incredibly modern and decades ahead of its time. He had great aid in experienced cinematographer Karl Struss, who also played large part in what was often considered this film’s greatest achievement – flawless transformation between Jekyll and Hyde. For many decades the secret of special effects used for those scenes was matter of speculation before Mamoulian revealed them to be product of specially designed make up and lighting. Heavy make up Fredric March has used for the film while playing monstrous Hyde was toxic and nearly cost the actor his health and looks.

March quite deservedly won Oscar for his role in the film, and not only because of sacrifices and risks he was willing to make. As a stage actor who was afraid of being typecast in role of good looking youths, he marvelled at the opportunity to play something different, complex and more challenging. He used that opportunity very well, resulting in one of the most memorable performances of 1930s Hollywood. He easily overshadowed Miriam Hopkins, actress specialised in slightly comedic roles, who marvels playing the “woman of ill repute”, ultimate “bad girl” whose flirting ultimately sparks Jekyll’s subconscious desires that would result in his transformation into Hyde. Hopkins is good both in scenes when her character tries to seduce good doctor and her almost masochistic relationship with Hyde.

Both of those performances and the film in general benefited from the more relaxed creative atmosphere in early 1930s Hollywood. Infamous Hays Code haven’t been enforced yet, resulting in various “saucy” content slipping into content of films. In case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde it was implied sexual frustration of Jekyll as trigger for the mayhem, as well as implied rape of Ivy who also briefly appears semi-nude in one of the scenes. Only three years, with Hays Code being enforced, such version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in became unacceptable and was heavily cut. In 1941 it suffered even worse fate when MGM bought rights for a remake starring Spencer Tracy and, in order to prevent any negative comparisons, tried to obtain and suppress all copies of 1931 film. Because of that, Mamoulian’s film was long believed to be lost, only to be rediscovered in 1970s, while its integral version was restored in 1989. Those who watch it in its entirety will discover great horror film that was ahead of its time and probably the best of countless screen adaptations of Stevenson’s iconic tale.

RATING: 8/10 (+++)

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