Bulldog Drummond Comes Back (1937)

Director:

Louis King

Writers:

Edward T. Lowe Jr. (writer)
Herman C. McNeile (novel)

Release Date:

24 September 1937 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

A real action drama full of fun and thrills!

Plot:

The girlfriend of Captain Drummond has been kidnapped by an enemy of Drummond who seeks revenge. But...

Plot Keywords:

Colonel | Bulldog Drummond | Detective | Sequel | Adventurer

Cast

John Barrymore	...	Colonel Neilson
John Howard	...	Captain Hugh 'Bulldog' Drummond
Louise Campbell	...	Phyllis Clavering
Reginald Denny	...	Algy Longworth
E.E. Clive	...	Tenny
J. Carrol Naish	...	Mikhail Valdin
Helen Freeman	...	Irena Soldanis
Zeffie Tilbury	...	Zeffie
John Sutton	...	Sanger
Rita Page	...	Barmaid

Runtime:

64 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Unrated | Finland:K-16

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Quotes:

Bulldog Drummond: Tenny, what rhymes with married?
Tenny: Married, married? Harried, Sir!
Bulldog Drummond: No, no, no Tenny, harried doesn't go with married.
Tenny: You speak with the voice of inexperience sir!

Movie Connections:

Followed by Bulldog Sees It Through (1940)

Plagerising Auther Conan Doyle's Holmes

Bulldog Drummond Comes Back has remnants of Auther Conan Doyal's sleuth Sherlock Holmes, especially the guises taken on by the Scotland Yard detective, col. Neilson, played by a seemingly reluctant John Barrymore.

Unlike Holmes,who is more calm, composed, and introspective,his counterpart sleuth in this film, Captain Drummond is more of a swash buckle-like character who relies heavily on his loyal valet, Tenny for solving clues.

What is interesting in this film is when Tenny professes to love Drummond like a son. This could mean that servants deluded themselves as paternalistic guardians of the bourgeoisie, as opposed to subservient labour. In other words the valet was unconscious of the reality of his position which was to provide services at the least expense to the rich and aristocratic bourgeoisie as a means of buttressing the class system, and thus oppressing the proletariat.

Moreover Tenny's paternalistic role over Captain Drummond means that the sleuth requires the former's approval for a poem, which he has written as a form of proposal of marriage to Phylis. What this tells the viewer is that positive feelings were difficult to convey for the Brits at the time - and still are to an extent, hitherto. This is especially for Tenny, who is quite derogatory with his remarks on Drummond's poem. Such suppression of feelings has its own implications to the mental well being of British nationals.

Because he is part of the idle rich, then Drummond's, sleuthing is just a lark until he settles down to the responsibility of married life with Phylis. As such Phylis, Drummond's fiancé, is meant to be impressed with his Boys'-own adventures; but she no doubt is just after the status that will be gained from accepting a proposal of marriage from such an eligible bachelor. In this respect their marriage, like many is a one of convenience; that is Phyllys will be conforming to social rules, by fulfilling obligations that were expected of women back in 1937 when the film was produced.

As for the plot, it's engaging in a light-hearted context, and keeps a good pace. The audience knows full well that Drummond will win the day, but it's how that keeps us glued.

The final scenes in a derelict grand house sends out a message in terms of the decline of the then bourgeoisie, thereby reflecting the social changes taking place at the time.

Meanwhile Drummond's house is just wonderful with its lead windows, and chintz furniture. The fog, and grainy picture quality lends a nostalgic ambiance to this cosy film.

Definitely a film worth watching.