Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pryde (1925)

In Victorian London the esteemed Dr. Pyckle uses himself as a guinea pig when he experiments with a new drug that changes him into a compulsive prankster.

Directors:

Scott Pembroke, Joe Rock

Writer:

Tay Garnett (titles)

Stars:

Stan Laurel, Julie Leonard, Pete the Dog

Cast

Cast overview:
Stan Laurel	...	Dr. Pyckle / Mr. Pryde
Julie Leonard	...	The Doctor's Assistant
Pete the Dog	...	The Dog (as Pete the Pup)

Storyline

Dr. Pyckle, a respected British scientist, searches for the correct combination of chemicals for a powerful potion. Once he finds it, he tries it on himself. But instead of the wonderful effect the doctor had hoped for, the potion turns him into the diabolical Mr. Pride, a fiend who outwits police at every turn while scouring London for fresh victims -- of practical jokes.

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Plot Keywords:

practical joke | police | prankster | two reel comedy | london bobby | 

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Genres:

Short | Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 July 1925 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Spoof

Company Credits

Production Co:

Joe Rock Comedies (I), Standard Photoplay Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

21 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

At one point Mr. Pryde bumps into a lamppost which sways noticeably.

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Quotes

Intertitle: [Introducing Dr. Pyckle's female assistant] A Dainty English Miss - Don't Blame England - We All Miss Occasionally...

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Connections

Version of The Nutty Professor (2008)

User Reviews

Hopping Mad

As an avid Laurel and Hardy fan, I have always been somewhat disappointed in the early solo comedies of both Stan and Ollie. They are just too much a throwback to the early films of Sennett and co., one physical gag heaped upon another with no attempt to vary the frenetic pacing or establish character. So it was with unexpected delight that I watched Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pryde on the new Kino collection of Stan Laurel solo shorts. Once we dispense with the first ten minutes of generally desultory humor as he mixes his concoction, things get really funny. Laurel's transformation into the naughty Mr. Hyde is priceless. Hopped up (literally) on his potion, he gleefully runs amok, stealing ice cream from children, scaring women with popping paper bags, etc. He isn't the truly malevolent Hyde of Stevenson's story, but merely an unrepentant prankster…a naughty little boy. Later, when his dog laps up some of the spilled potion and starts nipping at Stan's backside while sporting the same fright wig as Mr. Hyde…well, you have to see it to truly appreciate it.