Bulldog Drummond (1929)

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards:

Best Actor

Ronald Colman

Best Art Direction

William Cameron Menzies

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 2 nominations in 1929-30.


Bulldog Drummond is looking for adventure when he is contacted by a woman named Phyllis who claims to be in great danger.  Soon he must match wits with the mysterious Dr. Lakington, whose nursing home becomes the prime setting of the action that Drummond is looking for.

It is based on the international stage success by Sapper.  This is the first talkie (and third feature film) in the Bulldog Drummond series.

"Bulldog Drummond" was an extremely successful adventure franchise that was produced in the form of novels, short stories, stage plays, films, and a radio show.  Acclaimed director, Alfred Hitchcock, had even expressed interest in directing a film using the character.  Unable to obtain the rights, however, the film would actually be produced in the form of The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934).

Bulldog Drummond would also later act as a significant influence for the character of James Bond.


Editorial:

This film has a slow pace, but there are a number of elements to it that keep the audience engaged.  It comes with several visually interesting moments throughout the movie that effectively use windows and shadows (or a combination thereof).  Bulldog Drummond, as a character, is also very well developed.  He is probably one of the earliest iconic screen heroes and looks dashing in his getup:  a trench-coat with a popped-up collar, a scarf, a fedora, and a handsome mustache.

Score  |  04/10  |  This motion picture is worth trying.