Search - Bulldog Drummond Double Feature #3 - Bulldog Drummond in Africa / Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police on DVD

A Double Dose of Fun!

Bobby Underwood | Manly NSW, Australia | 02/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though H.C. Snapper McNeil's Bulldog Drummond can be traced all the way back to nitrate film of the silent era, certainly the most fun is derived from the "B" series, of which, "Bulldog Drummond in Africa" and "Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police" offer plenty. All the regulars fans of the series love return in this one, and it has tons of atmosphere augmented by humor and some nice pacing from director Louis King.

"Bulldog Drummond in Africa" has Bulldog (John Howard) once again being sidetracked on the eve of his wedding to Phyllis Clavering. Heather Angel gets ample screen time as Hugh's cute and fabulous girlfriend and shines like the African sun during midsummer.

The solid and stalwart Tenny (E.E. Clive) is at Bulldog's side while bumbling but loyal pal Algy (Reginald Denny) runs last second errands, desperately hoping no new adventure will arise to interfere with the nuptials. When Phyllis sees Colonel Nielson being kidnapped from Greystoke Manor by spy Richard Lane (J. Carrol Naish), however, the chase is on!

Just missing them as their plane takes off for Africa, an undaunted Bulldog, finally with pants Algy has been trying to deliver, grabs his own plane and takes to the skies. Phyllis has to stow away because Bulldog is trying to keep her out of harm's way; a cute circumstance which happens often in the film.

Once in Africa, our gang get tangled up with crooked cops, most notably Lane's henchman, Deone Fordine, winningly portrayed by a young and dashing Anthony Quinn. Barely escaping a bomb planted on his plane, they race to rescue the Colonel from a lion in an exciting finish. A fun tone, pleasant finale, and plenty of atmosphere make for one of the best entries in the series, and everything a good "B" is supposed to be.

James Horn directed "Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police" with a screenplay from Garnett Weston based on "The Temple Tower" by H.C. "Sapper" McNeile. This particular entry is quite fun, as Hugh finds adventure in his own home. Five other times Bulldog's nose for mystery and adventure has kept him from the alter with Phyllis, and when a professor shows up at Rockingham on the eve of the nuptuals with a book containing directions to a hidden treasure in the world underneath Bulldog's home, adventure can't be far away.

A secret cipher and the possibility of treasure is just too much for Hugh and his pals to resist, wedding or not! The fun really starts and the pace picks up once the book is stolen and a man is murdered. Phyllis is game, however, and joins in the chase with moxy, asking for a gun. She may need it when she's taken hostage by the killer and the treasure is found, Bulldog and gang on the chase to save her.

There is a dream sequence that lets Hugh recall some of his exploits from previous entries which is campy fun. Leo Carroll makes a good "B" villan and Howard adds the right touch as the man-about-town who can't resist a good adventure. Heather Angel is cute as a button throughout and an ending with a laugh makes this a particularly enjoyable outing for Bulldog and gang. Those who enjoy "B" films, especially series, will like this one a lot.

Bulldog Drummond ranks right up there with Sherlock Holmes as a "B" series favorite and these two films offer ample evidence as to the reason why. Great fun."