Film

Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde (1931 Version)

Cert: 12A

Description: Re-release of the 1931 version of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson novel. Ignoring the sage counsel of his friend Dr Lanyon, intrepid scientist Dr Henry Jekyll becomes his own human guinea-pig to concoct a chemical formula to bring out the good side of man and suppress evil desires. Drinking his own potion, Dr Jekyll unwittingly unleashes his ferocious alter ego Mr Hyde, who goes on the rampage and strikes fear into the heart of prostitute Ivy Pearson.

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Dir: Rouben Mamoulian.

Cast: Frederic March, Miriam Hopkins, Rose Hobart, Holmes Herbert, Halliwell Hobbes

Country: US.

Year: 1931.

Duration: 95mins

Still the best Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Frightening: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

By Derek Malcolm
11 Dec 2008

The 1931 version of the Robert Louis Stevenson novella, directed by the great Rouben Mamoulian, is still the best version there is, far more frightening than the glossy MGM version Victor Fleming made a decade or so later.

It is brilliantly shot in black and white by Karl Struss and has a fine performance, constantly indicating sexual repression, from Fredric March.

Miriam Hopkins is his fianc�e who appears tantalisingly before him as he transforms into a monster.