Search - Mystery Classics V.2 on DVD

Fun "B" Films

Bobby Underwood | Manly NSW, Australia | 04/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very fun dvd for "B" movie fans! British Intelligence revolves around WWI and a time of spies. Karloff fans will have fun with his portrayal of a butler who may be a German or British spy. Valder (Karloff) works for a member of the British Cabinet, where a secret meeting is taking place. Looming over the meeting are bombs being dropped over London and the possibility of a deadly and souless spy wrecking havoc on British soil. Margaret Lindsay is an English nurse who may also be a spy. It is no great shakes, but fun to watch if you are in the right mood, or a Karloff fan.

The real fun here, however, is the three Bulldog Drummond "B" entries! H. C. "Snapper" McNeil's Bulldog Drummond stories can be traced on film all the way back to the silent era. While the two films with Ronald Colman are considered to be the best by many critics, the most fun and entertaining are surely derived from the "B" films with John Howard in the role of Hugh Drummond. Others had their turn, however, and in Bulldog Drummond Escapes, a young and dashing Ray Milland acquits himself quite nicely. The series had cute Heather Angel as Hugh's fun bride-to-be, Phyllis Clavering, in most entries. Louise Campbell was good in the others, but Heather was missed by fans. E.E. Clive was great as Bulldog's valet, Tenny, and Reginald Denny offered moments of amusement as his affable pal, Algy. H.B. Warner was fun as Colonel Nielson and Elizabeth Patterson swell as Phyllis' Aunt Blanche, always skeptical that Bulldog would ever make it to the alter with Phyllis.

While Bulldog Drummond's Peril isn't the sharpest film in the series, it is an okay entry with Howard chasing after his wedding gift, getting sidetracked once again from the alter, and Phyllis. Ray Milland has fun as Bulldog in Bulldog Drummond Escapes. This one is a lighthearted entry. Pal Algy is an expecting father as Bulldog arrives by plane with a bit of derring-do, landing in a dangerous fog. Guy Standing is the Clolonel this time, and he's not pleased to see Hugh, knowing his arrival is sure to bring adventure.

It isn't long before his fears are realized, when our hero Bulldog finds a damsel in distress in the road. There's a murdered man nearby and the damsel disappears! Hugh suspects she's being held against her will in Greystone Manor, but can't convince the Colonel. Pretty Heather Angel is enough to make any man take a risk or two, and Bulldog's nose for adventure and damsels lead him right to danger.

Milland makes a fun and dashing Drummond in this entry in the series. This one is important because it shows how Bulldog and Phyllis first met. The very fun tone makes for fine entertainment for "B" fans. Bulldog plays a clever trick to tear Algy away from the delivery and an even neater trick involving a dummy to find the evidence he needs to save Phyllis from the ruffians!

Bulldog Drummond Comes Back is a terrific entry in the Bulldog Drummond "B" series, regular John Howard returning in the role of Hugh Drummond. It moves quickly and has more atmosphere than usual. Reginald Denny and E.E. Clive also return as Bulldog's pals, but Heather Angel is missed as his soon-to-be bride. Louise Campbell does a nice job as Phyllis, however, and John Barrymore's presence as the Colonel adds a serious touch to the proceedings.

Phyllis is kidnapped from Rockingham by two seriously twisted criminal minds Colonel Nielson has been aware of for some time. J. Carroll Naish and Helen Freeman are fun as the evil Valdein and Irena. Nielson allows Bulldog to search for Phyllis in his own way by following the deliberate clues left him, such as phonograph records, to find his lady love.

But while Bulldog and his pals go down to the docks in a merry yet somber chase, the Colonel isn't far behind. Barrymore gets to don disguises so he can follow the action without being seen. Howard, sometimes accused of being a bit bland as Drummond by some, seems a bit more dashing here opposite the Great Profile.

It is Tenny (E.E. Clive) who comes to the rescue in this one in Edward T. Lowe's screenplay based on "Bulldog Drummond and the Female of the Species" by H.C. "Sapper" McNeile. Louis King directs this entry in the series with some flair and the ending is a real bang! Bulldog may have a clear path to the alter finally but for a last second breeze! A very good entry despite the absence of Heather Angel, and one Bulldog Drummond fans will enjoy.

This is a very fun set of "B" films fans won't want to pass up."