Everyone knows the tale. Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments on himself, to bring out man’s dark side. The film is based on the novella, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson. This movie is the first successful filmed version, with acclaimed stage actor, John Barrymore, in the title role. Barrymore used little makeup, using mostly facial expressions, when playing Hyde. There are also various camera tricks and effects, which give the film a unique feel.
Henry Jekyll is a young doctor, with a good heart. He operates a clinic for the poor, with his own money. Everything seems to be going his way, until, he goes to a dinner party, given by Sir George Carewe, (Brandon Hurst). He is a wealthy carefree man, who seeks life’s pleasures. He discusses Jekyll’s life and career with Jekyll. Carewe states to Jekyll that his life needs more. He asks him, what he will talk about, when he is old. Carew takes Jekyll to a dance hall, where he is shown forbidden pleasures. Jekyll leaves, but he experiences man’s darker impulses. He goes home, and ponders man’s darker side. He wonders aloud about the possibility of creating a personality, of man’s evil side. Poole, (George Stevens), Jekyll’s butler, dismisses it as nonsense. Jekyll, like most well intentioned, but misguided, horror film doctors, doesn’t listen to anyone. He conducts an experiment on himself. It works, and Barrymore in a well acted scene, show’s Jekyll’s transformation from man into the monster, Edward Hyde. Hyde goes out and becomes a living symbol of amorality. Hyde even keeps an apartment, practicing all vices known to man. He has also become a murderer. Hyde has become such a dominant personality, that the antidote to the formula, no longer works. There is one good thing in Jekyll’s life, Millicent, (Martha Mansfield). She is the daughter of Sir George Carew. Jekyll has fallen in love with her, and proposes marriage. and she accepts.
Unfortunately, Hyde’s appearances put a strain on Jekyll and Millicent’s relationship. Sir George finds the doctor, and confronts him about his treatment of his daughter. Jekyll transforms in front of him. Hyde tells him, that he’s responsible for his creation. He leaps on Carewe and begins beating him. Carewe runs out but Hyde follows, beating him to death. Unfortunately for this creature, Carewe’s murder was witnessed. Hyde flees to the laboratory, and changes to Jekyll. Jekyll realizing that he can’t live with Hyde anymore, poisons himself. Hyde’s pursuers gain access to Jekyll’s lab, and see Hyde. Unfortunately, Hyde’s constitution isn’t strong enough, to fight off the poison. He collapses and dies, transforming into Henry Jekyll. The men are horrified, at what they see, except for Poole, who suspected all along. After this, Millicent, still grieving, is told that her fiancé was killed by Edward Hyde.
After his appearance in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, John Barrymore became a star. His acting ability is shown here very well in playing the dual role of Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde. He was a major screen star of the silent era, and carried his fame into the early sound era. He was a gifted actor, but his alcoholism cut his career short, eventually killing him. He should always be remembered for his performance in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He set a benchmark, for horror films, and early film acting.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde had some effects, that add to it. Hyde’s transformation at the end, is good. The image of a giant spider representing Hyde taking over Jekyll is a unique effect. This is shown while Jekyll is sleeping, and wakes up as Hyde. The director of this film, John S. Robertson, has also succeeded in giving this movie a very eerie feel. This is perfect for a horror film. Everything about Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde make it a fine example of a horror movie. It is certainly worth watching, because it was the first major adaptation of a horror novel.