Bulldog Drummond Comes Back (1937) User Reviews (30)

"Confound it Drummond, how is it that whenever I see you someone has either been murdered or disappeared."

[classicsoncall · 5/10 · 8 March 2006]

In this entry in the Bulldog Drummond franchise, the Captain (John Howard) finds himself on the trail of a pair of villains who have kidnapped his fiancée Phyllis Clavering (Louise Campbell). What makes the story interesting are the written and audible clues that Irena Soldanis (Helen Freeman) and her brother-in-law Mikhail Valdin (J. Carrol Naish) leave for the detective. The motive behind the kidnapping hearkens back to a murder trial that sent Irena's husband to the gallows, courtesy of Drummond.

"Bulldog Drummond Comes Back" seems to be a follow up to the same year's "Bulldog Drummond Escapes". In that film, the running gag had Drummond's sidekick Algy (Reginald Denny) fretting over the birth of his first son; this time out, Algy is worried about making the christening. Scotland Yard's Colonel Neilson is portrayed by the venerable John Barrymore this time around, and as befits his reputation, is actually top billed above the film's lead character. He earns it though, with a repertoire of disguises necessitated by the villains' threat to kill Miss Clavering if Scotland Yard gets involved.

But in this, my third viewing of a Bulldog Drummond movie, the scene stealer is once again Drummond's butler Tenny (E.E. Clive), who's deadpan repartee and mannerisms make for beautifully understated comic relief. He's also a bit more adventurous this time out, inviting himself along as Drummond and Algy take after the bad guys. It's interesting to note that it was Tenny who figured out one of the clues to be the old disappearing ink trick.

Note the scene in which Tenny hitches a ride on the back of the car which shanghais Drummond outside the Anglers Rest. Tenny looks into the rear window of the vehicle, and clearly visible inside is the back of a person's head. However inside the auto, Miss Soldanis and the kidnapped Miss Clavering are in the back seat, but with a shade pulled down over the window!

I've seen J. Carrol Naish now in a number of films, and he looks different every time out. Here, as the creepy villain Valdin he looks almost Oriental in appearance, in a characterization that would have done Peter Lorre proud.

Before the mystery is over, Drummond, Algy and Phyllis must escape a death trap before succumbing to lethal gas. Ever the enterprising butler, Tenny makes use of a Scotland Yard auto to remove a fallen tree from the road and arrive just in time to make the save. One thing though, can you really shoot the pin out of a door hinge with a handgun?

If you can overlook some of the less plausible elements in this and other films in the Drummond series, they're worth the effort in entertainment value. I'm still waiting though to see if Captain Drummond ever winds up at the altar; in both "Escapes" and "Comes Back" he winds up still single at the end of the film.

Lady MacBeth baits the Bulldog

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 20 January 2012]

Although I saw an edited version Bulldog Drummond Comes Back there was still enough there to enjoy. Especially enough of J. Carrol Naish and Helen Freeman as ruthless a pair of brother and sister villains you'll ever find.

These two have it for Drummond played by John Howard. He was instrumental in having Freeman's husband captured and executed in France and they've now captured Howard's long suffering Tess Truehart type fiancé Louise Campbell. But they don't kill her outright nor do they kill Howard. Naish and Freeman are enjoying toying with him like a pair of feral cats with a wounded mouse. Howard refers to Freeman as Lady MacBeth and she's that big a schemer.

Butler E.E. Clive and cricket friend Reginald Denny are in on the chase, but John Barrymore as Scotland Yard's Inspector Neilson is ordered out. You don't tell Scotland Yard what to do however.

The only real flaw in this Reginald Denny who in most films is amusing as Drummond's silly twit of a friend. But in Bulldog Drummond Comes Back he's downright annoying.

Bulldog Drummond Comes Back is a pretty good B film from Paramount Studios and while Howard is no Ronald Colman he gives a good account of himself in all his Bulldog Drummond films.

"You surely wouldn't impair a profile that has endured this long, would you?"

[utgard14 · 6/10 · 10 June 2015]

Bulldog Drummond's in love and ready for marriage. But that'll have to wait because his fiancée has been kidnapped by the brother and widow of an executed criminal Drummond put behind bars. The kidnappers intend to torture Drummond by making him follow a series of clues that lead him into dangerous situations. He must rely on his friends to help him figure out the clues and stay alive in the process.

John Howard's first Bulldog Drummond movie. Many actors played the character over the years (three in 1937 alone) but no one played him more than Howard. He would play Drummond for a total of seven films, all in the span of two years. Interestingly, despite playing the title character, Howard isn't top-billed. That honor goes to John Barrymore, who plays Bulldog Drummond's friend Colonel Nielsen. Barrymore's career was in a poor state at this time and he needed work. You would never know it from his performance as he's a lot of fun to watch. A little hammy at times but that's to be expected with him. John Howard isn't quite as lively as Ray Milland was in the role but he's good in a serviceable B hero kind of way. Reginald Denny continues on as Drummond's sidekick Algy and E.E. Clive as Drummond's butler Tenny. Both are entertaining. Helen Freeman and J. Carrol Naish make good villains. Louise Campbell plays Drummond's love interest Phyllis for the first of three films. She reminds me a little of Maureen O'Sullivan, which is not a bad thing. It's an enjoyable B detective picture. Nothing more special than that but it doesn't have to be. I happen to like these types of pictures. It's an entertaining way to pass an hour.

Has Some Good Moments; Overall An Average B-Feature

[Snow Leopard · 1 July 2005]

Overall, this entry in the Bulldog Drummond series is just an average B-feature, but it does have some good moments. This was the first feature in the series to star John Howard as Drummond, and it also has the usual supporting characters, with E.E. Clive and Reginald Denny as Drummond's sidekicks, Louise Campbell as Phyllis, and John Barrymore as Colonel Neilson. Howard, Clive, and Denny have some good lighter moments together during the course of events, and Barrymore, as you would expect, makes very good use of his opportunities, leaving you wishing there had been more scenes involving his character.

The story idea is interesting if lightweight, with villains played by J. Carrol Naish and Helen Freeman using a series of riddles and puzzles, along with a kidnapping, in their attempts to lure Drummond into a trap. The series of puzzles gets a bit far-fetched, but it does hold your interest, and perhaps with a little more careful writing and editing it could have made a pretty good movie.

Barrymore's series of disguises and other tactics is probably the most entertaining part of it all, and these also help to keep the tone light. Otherwise, there's nothing particularly impressive, but it has just enough to be worth seeing for those who enjoy the genre.

There are some good points to this movie

[shakspryn · 7/10 · 2 December 2017]

Bulldog Drummond was a popular character in 1920's and 1930's adventure novels by H.C. McNeile. Drummond was a wealthy WWI veteran and war hero (in real life, McNeile was also a veteran and war hero, having won the Military Cross, Britain's second highest medal for valor).

This film is notable for having excellent sets and atmosphere. Catch Drummond's big drawing room in the first scene! It's very evocative of an English gentleman's abode. There are really nice matte shots later of an old mansion, and several scenes in realistic looking pubs.

The plot is pretty thin, but honestly, the books were the same way. E.E. Clive, who appeared in all seven films with John Howard, is a standout! He brings a wealth of acting experience to the role.

Don't look for especially clever plots in these films. Watch them for the fun and the good 1930's atmosphere.

John Howard takes over as Bulldog Drummond

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 6 March 2014]

Newly engaged Hugh 'Bulldog' Drummond is looking forward to the arrival of his fiancée Phyllis but plans for a peaceful visit don't last long. She hasn't been there long when she is kidnapped by Irena Soldanis and Mikhail Valdin. We soon learn why she was kidnapped; Irena wants revenge on Drummond because she blames him for her late brother's execution. She leaves a series of cryptic clues that are intended to make him suffer before they exact their ultimate revenge. Drummond follows the clues along with friend Algy and faithful butler Tenny. The kidnappers specifically told Drummond not to let Colonel Neilson of Scotland Yard get involved but the colonel decides to follow despite Drummond's instructions not to… this involves a series of impressive disguises.

The adventure sees John Howard taking over the lead role and Louise Campbell taking over as Phyllis; Howard does a fine job as Drummond and Campbell is okay but not as good as Heather Angel was when the character was first introduced. The story may be a little cliché but it is still fun. The various clues aren't too convoluted; there is a good chance that the viewer will solve one or two before they are explained. There is a fair amount of action packed into the film's short runtime leading up to a gripping denouement. Mixed in with the drama there are some funny moments; Col Neilson's ingenious disguises were both amusing and surprisingly believable. The baddies are fairly cliché dastardly Central Europeans but that doesn't mean they aren't entertaining. Overall I'd say this is a fun action adventure that contains absolutely no offensive material.

Goose chase

[djensen1 · 4/10 · 19 March 2005]

Weaker entry in the Bulldog Drummond series, with John Howard in the role. Usual funny banter and antics, but not much plot. Barrymore gets something to do as the inspector, swapping disguises to follow Drummond, Algy, and Tenny on a wild goose chase (mostly in circles; perhaps the budget was tighter than usual) to rescue poor Phyllis, who is being held captive by people who want to lure Drummond to his doom. For those keeping score, in this one, Drummond is planning to ask Phyllis to marry him and Algy is worried about missing the baby's christening. It's fun to see Algy and Tenny dressed up as fisherman to blend in at The Angler's Rest, but little of it rises above silly.

Good Bad Guys

[Hitchcoc · 6/10 · 18 September 2006]

In this one the bride becomes a kidnap victim and Drummond and the boys must hunt her down. This time the motive is revenge and the killers are more artistic than they usually are. The problem with these B adventures is that the villains don't seem to know when to stop. They are so caught up in the artistic merit of their goals, they are set up for failure. There is so much face to face contact among the principals, that is seems odd that a quick move might not solve the problem. I'm also interested in how Drummond always asks advice of the people least likely to be of help to him. Of course, it all works out in the end and another wedding is foiled.

Bulldog Drummond's John Howard

[wes-connors · 5/10 · 11 June 2015]

British adventurer John Howard (as Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond) is ready to marry girlfriend Louise Campbell (as Phyllis Clavering), but she is kidnapped. That's very typical in the "Bulldog Drummond" movie series. The abductors, who have a personal connection to Drummond, are in a playful mood. They keep Ms. Campbell alive and send Drummond clues regarding her whereabouts. The clues are received on typewritten notes and heard on gramophone record albums. Most notably joining in the "find Phyllis" game is master-of-disguise detective John Barrymore (as Colonel Nielson). This was the first of three supporting appearances by Mr. Barrymore in the Drummond series. "Bulldog Drummond Comes Back" was the first of seven appearance by Mr. Howard in the leading role. In an unpropitious start, he gets a fine supporting cast. The title refers to Drummond coming back to England, from America.

***** Bulldog Drummond Comes Back (1937-09-03) Louis King ~ John Howard, John Barrymore, Reginald Denny, E.E. Clive

Ingenious Bulldog Drummond Tale

[robert-temple-1 · 7/10 · 31 March 2008]

This is the tenth Bulldog Drummond film, and the first starring John Howard, who was to make the character his own in memorable fashion. John Barrymore gets top billing, despite the fact that he is in only a supporting role, but then that's stars for you! Barrymore plays Inspector Neilson, which he was to do for two more films, but he looks tired and world-weary, in fact as if he had been on a binge the night before (which is not unlikely). Barrymore dons some excellent disguises during the film, with false noses and moustaches and odd accents, which must have delighted him. We have almost as much fun with them as he does. The boring Louise Campbell plays Phyllis Clavering, who is always about to marry Drummond but constantly being prevented from doing so by some new crime erupting, or being kidnapped, or whatever. (The next year the more exciting Heather Angel was to resume this role, which would be a great improvement.) E. E. Clive and Reginald Denny as Tenny the Butler and Algy respectively, are here again (having missed the intervening film with John Lodge as Drummond), and are as marvellous as ever. This film has an extra dimension of interest. The wonderfully sinister villains played here by J. Carroll Naish and Helen Freeman not only kidnap Phyllis but put Drummond, upon whom they seek revenge, through an ingenious 'treasure hunt' ordeal, where they leave him coy notes which he has to decipher quickly, and also gramophone records where he is given instructions on where to go and what to do next. This is certainly an excellent added layer of intrigue to a mystery story, and is a story device which should be used more often in films. It all becomes really interesting as we follow the frustrated Drummond from rendezvous to rendezvous, as he is 'given the runaround' with the clock ticking. There are of course comic moments, and a great deal of quaintness is on hand at the seaside tavern where you walk in, order your beer, choose a gramophone record and put it on the Victrola which is sitting on the bar. Never saw that before! The earliest form of jukebox! This is a particularly good Drummond movie, and is well worth watching.

Lukewarm Thriller

[atlasmb · 5/10 · 2 January 2021]

In foggy old London town/ Did Drummond chase the poesy 'round/ Assisted by a secret corps/ Led by "Colonel" Barrymore.

In this Bulldog Drummond adventure, starring John Howard, he must follow a playful string of clues to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend. The villains, intent on revenge, hiss and taunt at every turn. Thankfully, they drag out the game long enough for the hero to thwart their efforts. John Barrymore plays the resourceful Colonel Neilson who finds a way to aid Drummond.

As adventures go, this is rather weak. The trail of clues is obtuse and repetitive. It all ends with a ticking cliche.

ONE OF THE BEST IN THE SERIES

[tcchelsey · 9/10 · 14 August 2020]

If you are looking for that quintessential definition of a solid B film, take in BULLDOG DRUMMOND COMES BACK. It's a whole lot of fun. Simply put, when you come down to it, the ingredients for a successful film are in place. John Howard makes his debut as the dapper detective in fine style, but its the old master, John Barrymore, who is the real star, if not a hilarious scene stealer as the ever resourceful Colonel Neilson. Just watching Barrymore work his magic is worth every single minute. The script is punctuated with some tense moments, all about Drummond's fiancée kidnapped by a homicidal maniac who wants payback. But there's a lot more moving parts in this opus. Master of characters J. Carrol Naish is equally entertaining as Barrymore, playing and pulling out all the stops as the diabolical villain. On the lighter side, Reginald Denny is a treat to watch as Algy, Drimmond's cautious companion of sorts, followed by E.E. Clive as Drummond's long suffering butler. The producers and writers at Paramount did their job. Great atmosphere for late night viewing, not to be missed.

The first of seven decent John Howard films.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 3 March 2010]

During the 1920s-1950s, there were TONS of different actors who played the lead in the Bulldog Drummond films--too many. In fact, because of this massive turnover, the series never really caught on with the public. However, at least for a while, John Howard was able to provide some stability--appearing as Drummond in seven films. While none of these films were terrific, they were generally better than the other films of the series.

This one finds Drummond about to get married--for the thousandth time! In fact, that was a huge running joke with many of the Drummond films--he was always just about to get married when disaster strikes in the form of some mystery. Here, Drummond cannot get married because his fiancée is kidnapped! It seems there is a strange couple who say they are doing this to destroy Drummond because he was responsible for the capture of their loved one! What makes this different from many of the Drummond films is that his fiancée is not a passive victim--she often goes out to try to solve the mystery herself and seems to love the excitement of the Drummond lifestyle!

Overall, a decent addition to the series and interesting and worth seeing. Not the best of the Howard films (the villains and their cause seem weak), but also certainly not the worst. Average, but good for B-movie mystery/suspense fans (like me).

six characters in search of a script

[boblipton · 5/10 · 31 March 2002]

Drummond and his pals spend their time following the instructions of a pair of continental criminals who want revenge and, using his kidnapped fiancee as a prod, keep them running hither and yon to no particular purpose. Everyone seems ashamed to be in this turkey, especially John Barrymore, who spends much of his time underacting. If you are particularly enamoured of this series, which never exceeds watchable, or are a fiend for John Barrymore -- which makes some sense at any rate, give it a look. Otherwise, avoid it.

Bulldog Drummond Comes Back

[I_John_Barrymore_I · 28 March 2006]

Some very hammy European bad guys interrupt Captain Drummond's wedding plans by kidnapping his fiancée in an attempt to lure Drummond into a ridiculous wild goose chase that sees our hero following cryptic clues for some reason or other. The plot is unimportant and wafer-thin; it's the ride that's fun.

A very creaky, dated, no budget gem, Bulldog Drummond Comes Back is a fairly entertaining romp with engaging characters saying very quaint English things to each other, and generally cavorting about in various contrived circumstances.

John Howard is good as Drummond. He's suitably dashing and charming, and he does a fine job. The supporting cast of good guys are all good value, and are blessed with frequently mildly amusing dialogue. The baddies are straight out of a Tin-Tin comic but that's not a bad thing in this case.

The show is stolen by Barrymore, who, even though he never quite seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself in the role of Scotland Yard Detective Nielson, is always the best thing in the frame when he's on screen. His array of disguises (don't ask) are hilarious, and often ingenious.

Overall a lot of fun if you're in the mood for some extremely lightweight, silly adventure comedy.

kidnapping, codes, and disguises

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 8 June 2015]

Now John Howard is Bulldog Drummond in this 1937 film, "Bulldog Drummond Comes Back," with John Barrymore getting top billing.

Phyllis (Louise Campbell), the fiancée of Bulldog, is kidnapped. In order to find her, Bulldog, who has wronged the kidnappers, has to solve a series of clues. It's all to trap him.

The villains are J. Carrol Naish and Helen Freeman, and John Barrymore is the Colonel. He did two Bulldog films. What a great actor -- it's kind of sad to see him here. He uses some disguises very effectively.

Tenney (E.E. Clive) is very good as Bulldog asks for his approval on a poem, and Tenney provides him with further help. And poor Algy (Reginald Denny) is trying to get back for his baby's christening. Somehow Bulldog always lures him away from family.

I like John Howard in this role. He's handsome, smooth, and sophisticated. He's best remembered (by me anyway) as Katharine Hepburn's fiancée in The Philadelphia Story.

The story idea is interesting if lightweight, with villains played by J. Carrol Naish and Helen Freeman using a series of riddles and puzzles, along with a kidnapping, in their attempts to lure Drummond into a trap. The series of puzzles gets a bit far-fetched, but it does hold your interest, and perhaps with a little more careful writing and editing it could have made a pretty good movie.

Entertaining.

Howard carries the action, Barrymore carries the dead fish, but E. E. Clive makes the movie amusing

[Terrell-4 · 6/10 · 18 July 2008]

With Bulldog Drummond Comes Back, we have a movie with two lead actors. One was a modest man with modest talent; the other, a man who had trouble distinguishing between acting and hamminess. One was a brave man who, when his acting career died out, became an English teacher; the other was an overbearing drunk some found amusing who died of alcoholism, and whose favorite anecdote among his friends was the night in a drunken stupor he peed against his hostesses curtains at a party. We're talking about John Howard and John Barrymore. Who would you want at your party? Unless your dry cleaners would give you a break on the price of cleaning your curtains, John Howard. But in a movie, it's John Barrymore. Even when he's just going through the motions, as here, he's watchable. And when he's at the top of his game...in both acting and hamminess, as in Twentieth Century...he's just about unbeatable.

Barrymore gets top billing although Howard is the hero. In some ways, the point of the movie and the reason for Barrymore's billing is that it gives moviegoers a chance to see Barrymore put on disguises. Even though he's playing Colonel Neilson, the head of Scotland Yard, Barrymore pastes on false noses and dons scruffy wigs. He transforms himself into a cockney hunchback and an aged fisherman. As the fisherman, he looks a like a seagoing Fagin. "I really think I should have been an actor," Neilson tells a young Scotland Yard detective. "I was very good at amateur theatricals," We all get the in-joke.

Why is the head of Scotland Yard walking around carrying a basket of dead fish? He's helping his friend, Captain Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond (John Howard) rescue Drummond's perennial fiancé, Phyllis Claverling (Louise Campbell), from the clutches of Irena Soldanis. Drummond sent her husband to the gallows the year before. Irena still bears a grudge. Irena has kidnapped Phyllis and, through a series of riddles, she's sending Drummond, accompanied by his manservant Tenny (E. E. Clive) and his friend Algy Longworth (Reginald Denny), on one wild goose chase after another. When Irena finally decides to let Drummond rescue his fiancée, he will be trapped along with her...and Irena's revenge will be completed with a fiery explosion. But thanks to Colonel Neilson's disguises, Tenny's ingenuity and Algy's...well, Algy is the perfect English ninny, so we'll have to say, thanks to Algy's comedy relief, all will turn out fine. Bulldog Drummond, a brave survivor of WWI, a wealthy man who, naturally enough, decided to become a gentleman detective, will continue to foil criminal masterminds.

My favorite in these movies has always been E. E. Clive. Tenny is aged, attenuated and acerbic. He's no lover of second-rate love poetry, even when written by his employer. Tenny usually gets the best lines and Clive knows how to deliver them. John Howard was a lead actor who was conscientious and pleasant, but who never made much of a splash. He was shy and, some have said, seemed most comfortable during the heyday of the big studios when roles were assigned and actors did what they were told. Yet if he was diffident, he was also a brave man. In WWII when his ship struck a mine off the French coast, the captain was killed. Howard took command, fought to save the ship and personally rescued several wounded sailors. He was awarded the Navy Cross and seldom mentioned it. Finishing off your life as an English teacher strikes me as far more noble and useful than simply becoming a talent-wasting drunk. So here's to John Howard...an average actor but a superior human being.

Weak lead and plot

[zboston3 · 4/10 · 27 October 2007]

Though a bit more polished technically than the previous film in the series, BULLDOG DRUMMOND ESCAPES, this is a weaker escapade in both a plot that's less thrilling and a leading man who simply doesn't have the charisma of Ray Milland.

That said, several actors and characters continue in their roles and manage to keep the flag flying. Also John Barrymore is present, popping up all through the film in a variety of outlandish disguises.

Anyway it's another endless night for BD as he and his cohorts chase around trying to rescue the poor girl he intends to marry. The clues are stupid but again the supporting actors often make them entertaining.

A Good Time

[michaelgarykelley1994 · 6/10 · 5 February 2019]

You know, I've only recently started getting into black-and-white noir films, and I must say that I really dug this one. I got it in a boxed set of twenty others mystery/crime/thriller/noir classics, and I was shocked by how entertaining this one was. I know it's also part of a very large movie series, but this is the only entry I've seen from the Bulldog Drummond franchise. But, man-oh, man-, I'd return in a heartbeat. This one was that good!

This one has a nice blend of suspense, thriller, and drama, but even has a nice, little romance on the side, since the film is mostly focused on Bulldog's fiancé being kidnapped by the widow of a man he saw executed (I'm assuming in a previous movie). There's also a TON of humor in this flick, and that made it even more fun to watch.

I got a little confused, however, by so many characters arriving in the finale. Sometimes it's hard for me to follow these older films-especially noir work. But it didn't take away from how enjoyable the film was.

The directing was really solid-and it became excellent, when we had moments like the car chase, towards the end. That was brilliantly shot.

The action is very well-done. But the riddles are what really had me interested. Drummond was so fun to watch solve these things.

That brings me to the acting. The acting was solid from pretty much everyone, no matter how hammy even the villains are supposed to be. I enjoyed all of them. But I was REALLY surprised by how much I loved both the man who played Drummond and the man who played his butler. Their relationship with each other was so sarcastic and witty; it'd be hard to see how someone couldn't have fun watching them go back and forth in a loving way. My boy John Barrymore from the silent classic "Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde" was also here, and I was stoked to see him, even though he's not really in the forefront of the film. But he's not meant to be, so that's okay. I was just happy to see him at all, outside of the old Jekyll flick. The guy is a legend, in my honest opinion.

Overall, I really, REALLY enjoyed "Bulldog Drummond Comes Back", and would like to see the rest of the films, at some point, even though they started way back in the day, with the silent era. I'd recommend this one to anyone who's looking for a fun thriller. It's very enjoyable, even now, in 2019.

By far the weakest of the series up to that point

[gridoon2024 · 5/10 · 3 June 2012]

"Bulldog Drummond Comes Back" lasts one hour, but feels more like three. The problems begin with the leading man, John Howard, who takes over the role of Bulldog Drummond; he is the least charismatic of all the Drummonds up to that point in the series (1937). The problems continue with the plot, or rather the lack of plot; as the characters themselves comment, it's mostly just a lot of pointless running round. John Barrymore receives top billing, and a lot of screen time, as disguise-happy Colonel Neilson, but he's not very funny; neither is Reginald Denny as Algy; the only actor who scores comedically is E.E.Clive, as the loyal butler. Louise Campbell, who replaces Heather Angel as Phyllis, doesn't have the same spark, but is absolutely gorgeous nonetheless. The ending, involving lethal gas AND a bomb, is fairly suspenseful, but overall the film is a dud. ** out of 4.

Imagine that the Our Gang kids grew into adults . . .

[oscaralbert · 6/10 · 23 August 2020]

. . . but that their thinking stayed as juvenile, puerile and childish as when they were small. Now try to picture such over-grown tykes being forced to stretch one of their normal 10-minute plots enough so that it lasts an entire hour. Next envision this whole immature, bloated mess being filmed in Dark-O-Vision (that is, by a camera with a very slightly translucent black lens-cap-like filter screwed on tightly). Throw in some horrid poetry, lots of vinyl records with "clues" implausibly etched on the fly and all the elements of a wild goose chase down a pig sty. That pretty much sums up BULLDOG DRUMMOND COMES BACK.

Another Typical Lightweight Crime Film of the 1930s

[Rainey-Dawn · 2/10 · 22 January 2017]

In this "episode", Bulldog Drummond's girlfriend is kidnapped by his long time enemy as a form of revenge. Drummond, along with his friend Colonel Nielsen, are in hot pursuit after them.

Every film that has a series and a "hero" figure will always find that one day his girlfriend has been kidnapped - so nothing new here, it's just a standard and overly used plot. It depends on how well you like the characters as to if you will enjoy this same plot theme.

I'm not a fan of Bulldog Drummond. But I am forcing myself to watch or skim through them to finish reviewing all the films in the Mill Creek Mysteries 50-pack. The 6 Bulldog Drummond films are the only ones left that I didn't care to watch but forcing myself to complete the pack reviews.

2/10

Welcome back, Bulldog!

[JohnHowardReid · 8/10 · 10 May 2018]

Director: LOUIS KING. Screenplay: Edward T. Lowe. Based on the 1928 novel The Female of the Species by H.C. "Sapper" McNeile. Photography: William C. Mellor. Film editor: Jimmy Smith. Art directors: Hans Dreier, Franz Bachelin. Set decorator: A.E. Freudemann. Music director: Boris Morros. Sound recording: Harry Mills, Charles Hisserich. Western Electric Sound System. Executive producer: Adolph Zukor.

Copyright 24 September 1937 by Paramount Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Criterion: 3 September 1937. U.S. release: 24 September 1937. Australian release: 17 February 1938. 64 minutes.

SYNOPSIS: A maddened widow, Irena Soldanis, plots vengeance against Captain Hugh Drummond for killing her husband. She abducts Bulldog's fiancee, taking her into fog-shrouded Limehouse. Led on by the widow's crazed limerick clues, Drummond and Colonel Neilson of Scotland Yard (the latter assuming various disguises) attempt a rescue.

NOTES: Number 10 of the 24-picture "Bulldog Drummond" series, and the first of seven with John Howard in the title role. For this and the next two entries, John Barrymore takes over the role of Colonel Neilson from the late Sir Guy Standing. Paramount regarded Barrymore as such a casting coup that for this entry they billed him above John Howard.

COMMENT: One of the most entertaining of the "B" entries, this one enjoyably captures the cliffhanging spirits and Boys Own Paper flavor of the "Sapper" novels. The pace is fast, the lively succession of bizarre clues, near-miss chases and invigorating escapes never lets up. Former super-star John Barrymore has a great time with his seedy impersonations, while the rest of the players fill their roles more than adequately. Louis King's fairly imaginative direction is considerably strengthened by first-class art direction and superlatively atmospheric cinematography.

Bulldog Drummond strikes

[guswhovian · 6/10 · 30 September 2020]

Bulldog Drummond, his friends Algy and Colonel Nielson and his loyal manservant Tenny go on the trail of Drummond's fiancé Phyllis after she is kidnapped.

Bulldog Drummond got made into films a lot: prior to this there were two films with Ronald Colman, and one each with Ralph Richardson and Ray Milland. However, American actor John Howard played Drummond in a total of seven films between 1937-39.

Howard himself is alright, but the character of Drummond is poorly rutter and seems almost a secondary character in his own film. Much more interesting is Drummond Scotland Yard pal Colonel Nielson, who is some sort of Sherlock Holmes-esque master of disguise. He's played by top-billed John Barrymore, who is wonderful as always, but it's a sign of his declining career that he was appearing a somewhat cheesy B movie like this. If this had been made ten years earlier, Barrymore would have made a good Bulldog Drummond.

Reginald Denny and E.E. Clive both reprise their roles from the Ray Milland film, while J. Carrol Naish gets to do his usual foreign villain schitck. The plot is a somewhat silly runaround with clues being left at various location for Drummond and co.; it's somewhat like an episode of Scooby-Doo. However, it's all over in less than an hour so you don't waste too much of your time.

John Howard just does not make a good Bulldog

[Bernie4444 · 4/10 · 17 October 2023]

It looks like Captain Hugh C. 'Bulldog' Drummond (John Howard) is getting married to Phyllis Clavering (Louise Campbell) his girlfriend and giving up the detecting racket.

Only this time the movie starts with Phyllis' kidnapping. From there is the standard Bulldog formula. We watch as the story unfolds. Clues come fast.

The copy I watched is an Alpha Video poor quality 1937 version at 58 minutes. The screenplay is based on "Bulldog Drummond and the Female of the Species" by H. C. "Sapper" McNeile.

The filming location is Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.