Saturday, April 04, 2015

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

D is for Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....so what gives? The original author, Robert Louis Stevenson wrote his first edition novella "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde" in 1886. Since that time there have been dozens of stage and film adaptions of the novella, over 123 film versions alone not including radio and stage versions.  There doesn't seem to any stopping Dr Jekyl or his doppelganger hiding within, hehe! Looking back Rouben Mamoulian's 1931 B/W version made quite an impact.


1931 didn't have 3D CGI techo special effects we take for granted today. Jekyll and Hyde fans should get a kick out of Mamoulian's movie. I reckon lots of remakes failed to capture the spirit of Stevenson's original book, lacking Mamoulian's movie style and technical innovation.  It really was the golden age of science and inventions.






The arrival of new age special effects has changed Hollywood forever. Theres a brand new "true to text" 2015 Jekyll and Hyde movie due out on April 17th. The official website is here. Theres something about the earlier classics that gives us an appreciation and stretches the imagination.

What's your favorite Jekyll and Hyde film?

Hyde long and Prosper, trekkers.

11 comments:

Jeremy [Retro] said...

So many great choices, I am going to go with the crazy one from the 80's called Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again.

Tony Laplume said...

I'll always admire Julia Roberts for making Mary Reilly.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

True to text? We'll see. Usually that translates to 'loosely inspired by.'

Birgit said...

OK Love the 1931 version with Frederic March who won an Oscar but I also love the silent film version with John Barrymore. The first film I saw on this topic was the version with Spencer Tracy which I thought was quite good. Then there is Dr. Jekyll, Sister Hyde-Hahahaaaa-It is so cheesy but that's Aok by me

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

Oh, my gosh! You blog Star Trek! I was a Trekie through every TV series! I have seen several Jecklls and Hydes, but I don't remember what versions they were. I'm gonna be your redneck trekki bloggie buddy.
Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I am Ensign B ~ One of Tremp's Troops with the
A to Z Challenge

SpacerGuy said...

Hey Jeremy you sure know how to pick em'

Julia Roberts in Mary Reilly, you've got me intrigued, Tony.

Play nice Alex, you never know when Hollywood comes calling.

In 1990 Michael Caine and Cheryl Ladd starred in "Jekyll and Hyde" Its a pretty good effort, Birgit.

SpacerGuy said...

Its always a pleasure making another trekki bloggie buddy, Barbara.

Susan Kane said...

I'll go with 1931, because it was the first version I saw and the others seemed to be knock-offs after that.

Liz Brownlee said...

I'm not sure i have a favourite.

But I sure LOVE STAR TREK!!!!! Have done since I was a child, watched the whole first series and every one since.

i'm a Trekkie!

Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com

Unknown said...

ooh I read the book in English class, but never saw a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde film! I should though!

Pamela said...

Great posts. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Featured Post

CAPTAIN PICARD TV SERIES

So analysis  has begun with Star Trek Picard's trailer... after a 17 year TNG hiatus some of trek's icons have returned. Here we ca...