Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931 film)
A pre-Code horror classic with Oscar-winning transformation.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a 1931 American pre-Code horror film directed by Rouben Mamoulian and starring Fredric March. It adapts Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 tale of a doctor whose potion unleashes his inner demons. The film was a critical and commercial success, and March won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Rouben Mamoulian
- Screenplay
- Samuel Hoffenstein; Percy Heath
- Based on
- The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; 1886 novella, Robert Louis Stevenson
- Starring
- Fredric March
- Miriam Hopkins
- Rose Hobart
- Music
- Johann Sebastian Bach (uncredited); Herman Hand (adaptor – uncredited)
- Cinematography
- Karl Struss
- Editing
- William Shea
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Dr. Henry Jekyll, a Victorian London physician, believes every person harbors both good and evil impulses. He wishes to marry his fiancée Muriel Carew, but her father, Brigadier General Sir Danvers Carew, insists they wait. One night, Jekyll rescues bar singer Ivy Pierson from an attacker and carries her to her room, where she attempts to seduce him; he resists and leaves. Drinking the concoction transforms him into Edward Hyde, an impulsive, sadistic, and violent man. Hyde finds Ivy at her music hall, offers financial support, and then rapes and psychologically manipulates her. When Hyde learns of Muriel's impending return, he threatens Ivy and leaves. Guilt-ridden, Jekyll sends Ivy money, and she visits him, tearfully describing Hyde; Jekyll promises she will never see Hyde again. The next night, while walking to a party where his wedding date will be announced, Jekyll sees a cat kill a bird and transforms into Hyde, who goes to Ivy's room and murders her. Hyde returns to Jekyll's house but is refused entry. He writes to Dr. Lanyon, instructing him to take chemicals from Jekyll's lab. When Hyde arrives, Lanyon draws a gun and demands to be taken to Jekyll. Hyde drinks the formula and reverts to Jekyll before a shocked Lanyon.
Production
The film was made before full enforcement of the Production Code and is noted for its strong sexual content, particularly involving Ivy Pierson, played by Miriam Hopkins. When re-released in 1936, the Code required eight minutes to be removed; this footage was restored for VHS and DVD releases. The transformation scenes' secret was revealed decades later by Mamoulian: makeup was applied in contrasting colors, and colored filters matched the makeup to expose it gradually or make it invisible; the color change was not visible on black-and-white film. Wally Westmore's makeup for Hyde—simian, hairy, with large canine teeth—greatly influenced the popular image of Hyde in media and comic books, reflecting the novella's implication of Hyde as embodying repressed evil. The characters Muriel Carew and Ivy Pierson do not appear in Stevenson's original story; Ivy is original to the film, and Muriel appears in the 1887 stage version by Thomas Russell Sullivan. Paramount initially sought John Barrymore for the lead, but he was under contract with MGM. March overplayed both Jekyll and Hyde to emphasize contrasts, winning the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Reception
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde premiered in Los Angeles on December 24, 1931, and opened in New York City on December 31, 1931. It grossed $1.25 million in domestic rentals, a box office hit on par with Universal monster films, despite its $535,000 budget being high for a horror film at the time. Reviews were mostly positive. Mordaunt Hall of The New York Times called it a far more tense and shuddering affair than the John Barrymore version, praising March as the stellar performer and the old-fashioned atmosphere. Variety's Alfred Rushford Greason found the picture slow and lacking an effective climax, but credited March with outstanding theatrical acting and called the makeup a triumph. John Mosher of The New Yorker reported the film had its full storage of horror and was well acted, comparing March's Hyde to Douglas Fairbanks, Senior. Film Daily declared March's gripping performance the highlight. Leonard Maltin later gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, calling it exciting and floridly cinematic. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 91% approval rating based on 44 reviews, with a critical consensus calling it a classic with innovative special effects, atmospheric cinematography, and deranged overacting.
Awards and honors
Fredric March won the Academy Award for Best Actor, tied with Wallace Beery for The Champ. It was named to the 10 Best Films lists of Film Daily and The New York Times. Nominations included Academy Awards for Best Adaptation Writing and Best Cinematography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931 film)?
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde stars Fredric March, Miriam Hopkins and Rose Hobart.
Who composed the music for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931 film)?
The music for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was composed by Johann Sebastian Bach (uncredited) and Herman Hand (adaptor – uncredited).
Who wrote Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931 film)?
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was written by Samuel Hoffenstein and Percy Heath.
How long is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931 film)?
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde has a running time of 96 minutes.
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