The tale of Sweeney Todd has been told many times, in books, on stage (with or without music), and on the screen (movie and television), but the 1936 British film directed by George King is worth a look primarily because of Tod Slaughter's menacing portrayal of the Demon Barber.
Unlike the brilliant stage musical by Stephen Sondheim (or the not-as-good movie version by Tim Burton), there is no explanation as to how Todd started his gruesome business or how his neighbor Mrs. Lovett became involved. In some ways it feels as if we've missed the first reel or two of the movie. Todd watches sailors and passengers disembark from ships arriving from afar to London and approaches wealthy-looking men in need of a shave to his nearby barbershop, sweettalking them all the while. Once he has learned that they are carrying a good amount of money or jewels, he has them sit in his special chair and after lathering them up, pulls a lever which causes the chair to flip upside down, dumping them onto the stone floor of the basement below, knocking them unconscious. After securing their valuables, he walks down the steps to "polish them off" with his razor. His neighbor Mrs. Lovett will dispose of the bodies. They split the proceeds of the robbery/murder.
Slaughter has a way of making his character appear creepy and untrustworthy even when he struggles to look kind and benevolent. Few people seem at ease around him but they follow his lead almost unwillingly.
Unlike Sondheim's version, the pretty Johanna is a love interest for Todd (but he not for her) instead of his long-lost daughter. She loves Mark, a sailor who of course will eventually become Sweeney's adversary.
The movie never explicitly shows or tells what Mrs. Lovett does with the bodies, but there are broad hints of her using them in her meat pies. And it is she who rescues Mark when Todd has sent him down to the basement via his trap door. Her motive seems to be not because of any change of heart, but merely to get back at Todd for holding out on her some of the spoils from his victims.
This version of Sweeney Todd is no classic, but remains enjoyable even if some of the "effects" are laughable, such as the rear projection behind a buggy ride. Tod Slaughter's face may haunt you for awhile.
Unlike the brilliant stage musical by Stephen Sondheim (or the not-as-good movie version by Tim Burton), there is no explanation as to how Todd started his gruesome business or how his neighbor Mrs. Lovett became involved. In some ways it feels as if we've missed the first reel or two of the movie. Todd watches sailors and passengers disembark from ships arriving from afar to London and approaches wealthy-looking men in need of a shave to his nearby barbershop, sweettalking them all the while. Once he has learned that they are carrying a good amount of money or jewels, he has them sit in his special chair and after lathering them up, pulls a lever which causes the chair to flip upside down, dumping them onto the stone floor of the basement below, knocking them unconscious. After securing their valuables, he walks down the steps to "polish them off" with his razor. His neighbor Mrs. Lovett will dispose of the bodies. They split the proceeds of the robbery/murder.
Slaughter has a way of making his character appear creepy and untrustworthy even when he struggles to look kind and benevolent. Few people seem at ease around him but they follow his lead almost unwillingly.
Unlike Sondheim's version, the pretty Johanna is a love interest for Todd (but he not for her) instead of his long-lost daughter. She loves Mark, a sailor who of course will eventually become Sweeney's adversary.
The movie never explicitly shows or tells what Mrs. Lovett does with the bodies, but there are broad hints of her using them in her meat pies. And it is she who rescues Mark when Todd has sent him down to the basement via his trap door. Her motive seems to be not because of any change of heart, but merely to get back at Todd for holding out on her some of the spoils from his victims.
This version of Sweeney Todd is no classic, but remains enjoyable even if some of the "effects" are laughable, such as the rear projection behind a buggy ride. Tod Slaughter's face may haunt you for awhile.