IMDb RATING
6.9/10
5.6K
YOUR RATING
Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself.Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself.Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
5.6K
YOUR RATING
- Writers
- Robert Louis Stevenson(by)
- Clara Beranger(scenario)
- Thomas Russell Sullivan(play)
- Stars
Alma Aiken
- Extra
- (uncredited)
J. Malcolm Dunn
- John Utterson
- (uncredited)
Julia Hurley
- Hyde's Landlady with Lamp
- (uncredited)
Jack McHugh
- Street Kid - Raises Fist to Mr. Hyde
- (uncredited)
Georgie Drew Mendum
- Patron in music hall
- (uncredited)
May Robson
- Old woman outside of music hall
- (uncredited)
George Stevens
- Poole - Jekyll's Butler
- (uncredited)
Edgard Varèse
- Policeman
- (uncredited)
- Writers
- Robert Louis Stevenson(by)
- Clara Beranger(scenario)
- Thomas Russell Sullivan(play) (uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJohn Barrymore hauled many of his prized potted plants from his apartment to the set to appear in scenery in the movie.
- GoofsWhen the giant spider apparition (manifestation of Hyde) climbs onto Jekyll's bed, the legs of the actor manipulating the costume are clearly visible.
- Quotes
Sir George Carew: In devoting yourself to others, Jekyll, aren't you neglecting the development of your own life?
Dr. Henry Jekyll: Isn't it by serving others that one develops oneself, Sir George?
Sir George Carew: Which self? A man has two two - as he has two hands. Because I use my right hand, Should I never use my left?
[Carew pointedly moves both hands indepemdently, making his point known to the whole table]
Sir George Carew: Your really strong man fears nothing. It is the weak one that is afraid of - - experience.
- Crazy creditsExcept for John Barrymore whose name appears above the title, actors were not originally credited in this movie at the start or at the end. Instead, four additional actors and their character names are credited in the inter-titles right before they appear on-screen.
- Alternate versionsIn 1971, Killiam Films, Inc. copyrighted a restored and tinted edition with an original theatrical organ score by Lee Erwin and a running time of 67 minutes plus a minute for new additional credits.
- ConnectionsEdited into Jekyll & Canada (2009)
Review
Featured review
Adaptations and Alterations
Through countless adaptations, including movies, the gist of Robert Lewis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is familiar to those who have never even touched the novella. The doppelgänger, or doubles, theme of its battle between the good and evil within oneself are shared heritage, even though the Victorian age it was set in, the suspicions of invention and science and some of the psychological notions have since passed. This 1920 filmed version, the first highly regarded one, presents the story as it has been most commonly handed down: the narrative is simplified, removing the original mystery, and it takes the perspective of Dr. Jekyll, reducing the role of Mr. Utterson.
There are some interesting parts to this adaptation, especially when comparing it to the later 1931 and 1941 versions. The competing beliefs between Jekyll and Dr. Lanyon are well rendered, as are those between Jekyll and Sir George, who is, apparently, based in Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray". Additionally, the rationale behind Jekyll's experiment is altered more illogical by concerning it with one's soul, instead of the hypocrisy of the two-faced upper classmen who present themselves respectably for the public but also want to visit the prostitutes at night.
Anyhow, for better or worse, John Barrymore is restrained (considering the role and the film era). There's an odd giant spider nightmare in this one, too. The best aspect of this version, I think, is its horror atmosphere, with the studio sets of the fogy, lamp-lit London slums and even the detailed interior designs add something--production values that make this early entry stand out. Barrymore contributes to this, especially with the makeup to create his deformed Hyde that could rival Lon Chaney's creations.
To see a major point of difference between the three major Hollywood adaptations, as well as an indication of Hollywood's evolution and how this 1920 version stands out, compare Barrymore's horrific and grotesque Hyde with that of Fredric March and Spencer Tracy: notice how Hyde becomes easier on the eyes with each subsequent decade.
There are some interesting parts to this adaptation, especially when comparing it to the later 1931 and 1941 versions. The competing beliefs between Jekyll and Dr. Lanyon are well rendered, as are those between Jekyll and Sir George, who is, apparently, based in Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray". Additionally, the rationale behind Jekyll's experiment is altered more illogical by concerning it with one's soul, instead of the hypocrisy of the two-faced upper classmen who present themselves respectably for the public but also want to visit the prostitutes at night.
Anyhow, for better or worse, John Barrymore is restrained (considering the role and the film era). There's an odd giant spider nightmare in this one, too. The best aspect of this version, I think, is its horror atmosphere, with the studio sets of the fogy, lamp-lit London slums and even the detailed interior designs add something--production values that make this early entry stand out. Barrymore contributes to this, especially with the makeup to create his deformed Hyde that could rival Lon Chaney's creations.
To see a major point of difference between the three major Hollywood adaptations, as well as an indication of Hollywood's evolution and how this 1920 version stands out, compare Barrymore's horrific and grotesque Hyde with that of Fredric March and Spencer Tracy: notice how Hyde becomes easier on the eyes with each subsequent decade.
helpful•121
- Cineanalyst
- Sep 4, 2005
Details
- 1 hour 9 minutes
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Top Gap
By what name was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) officially released in Canada in English?
Answer