So I have never cared much about this story or all of the movies that seem to be floating around. I decided the other day to watch the John Barrymore version because it was streaming on Netflix. I figured it would be like watching paint dry but I was determined to push through.
Since then, this story and several of the versions of the movie seem to be stalking me. They come on TV. They show up on my YouTube. It is fascinating watching the different actors present their interpretations of the story. Some versions change it around a bit. And John Barrymore haunts my thoughts. Not in a scary way, but in a "you are fascinating as heck" way. And so being the nerd that I am, I started researching this story and it's movies. One day I may even read the book.
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the novella, "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" in 1886. It vividly portrayed a person with a split personality. No major adaptation to date stays faithful to the book. The stage play based on the book opened in 1887. The story was reworked by Thomas Russel Sullivan and was famously played by Richard Mansfield. It introduced the romantic part of the story that did not exist in the original writing. At one point, Richard Mansfield was suspected of being Jack The Ripper because of his convincing portrayal of Mr. Hyde. He was considered to be the best actor of his time, but his career was basically destroyed because of the allegations. The first Jekyll and Hyde movie premiered a year after his death.
Notable versions....
The first movie was released in 1908, starring Hobart Bosworth is lost.
In 1912, James Cruze starred. http://vimeo.com/20026199
He goes from blonde to a dark haired near neanderthal look. He adds fangs and talons to finish his transformation. Science seems to be his motivation. Cruze and another actor played Hyde. Not much to say about this one.
1913. King Baggot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL9IovrgWdI&feature=related
In this version, the doctor is all about science. Baggot is okay in his role. Hyde seems to have very little makeup on but maybe a wig and fake teeth. The actor decides to stoop down extremely low to walk. His entire portrayal of Hyde looks very odd and awkward.
1920. John Barrymore http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjQaAK5Vof4
John Barrymore's version in 1907 had elements of The Picture of Dorian Gray in it.
Barrymore is an attractive Jekyll. He is frustrated, restrained and almost uptight. Hyde is ugly and looks like a witch. His head elongates. He grows long monster nails. He looks just plain nasty. He goes out of his way to be hurtful and mean and abusive. The transformation was good considering the year it came out. Over all I did like this one and I want to see more of John Barrymore.
In 1920, Der Januskopf or The Janus-Head (a Roman God depicted with two faces) was directed by F.W.Murnau (Nosferatu). It was an unauthorized version of the original Stevenson story. The film is now lost.
The was also another version made in 1920, starring Sheldon Lewis. That film is lost.
Fredric March won an Oscar for his portrayal in 1931. The technical secret of his transformation was not revealed until after the director's death. His Jekyll was very energetic, sexual and physical. His Hyde looked like a Neanderthal. The sexual frustration aspect was really turned up for this version. I found this one pretty interesting and wouldn't mind watching a young Fredric March in other movies. Barrymore was asked to do this version but was under contract with a different movie studio and so passed it along to March who resembled him.
With Spencer Tracy's turn at the role (1941), Jekyll went from the original pronunciation of JEEK-ULL to JEK-ULL. His version is definitely more drama than horror. Ingrid Bergman is sexy but the whole deal is kind of bland. I have never been a huge Spencer Tracy fan and this did not change my mind unlike Barrymore (I want more) and March (don't mind if I see more). This film had to be watered down from the sexual nature of the 1931 version.
This is as far as I have gotten with watching movies. I plan on seeing some more (lots more out there).
Whenever a Nerdgasm hits, you just have to go with it....
