Search - Bulldog Drummond Comes Back on DVD

Missing Heather, But Still Fun

Bobby Underwood | Manly NSW, Australia | 04/03/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While Bulldog Drummond dates all the way back to the silent era of film, the most fun to be had was surely the "B" series which came later. This terrific entry in the Bulldog Drummond "B" series, featuring John Howard in the role of Hugh Drummond, moves quickly and has more atmosphere than usual. Reginald Denny and E.E. Clive 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 fans of Bulldog Drummond don't want to miss."

A flawed budget thriller

C.A. Arthur | Tacoma, Washington | 10/26/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This is a little second feature from 1937, a low-budget detective story that contains the odd pleasure of seeing John Barrymore in one of his last films. The story, taken from a novel, is fairly entertaining, and the acting is competent. However, the print is terrible, and the sound is not much better. There is no excuse for selling any film in such poor condition."