Bulldog Drummond
Directed by F. Richard Jones
Written by Herman C. McNeile
1929/US
The Samuel Goldwyn Company
IMDb page
First viewing/Amazon Prime (free to Members)
No matter where she’s a hiding
She’s gonna hear me a comin’
Gonna walk right down that street
Like Bulldog Drummond
‘Cause I’ve been searchin’ Â – “Searchin”, The Coasters (1957)
This was the first talking Bulldog Drummond picture though it may be among the last I have yet to see. Â Ronald Coleman is perfect in the title role.
Bulldog Drummond (Coleman) is bored to tears after serving in WWI so he places an ad in a newspaper and begins his work as a private eye being hired by Phyllis (a young, blonde Joan Bennett) whose uncle has been kidnapped by extortionists. Â Phyllis will become his long-suffering and eternal fiancee in the remainder of the series. Â The other running character is Algy, Bulldog’s friend and sidekick. Â The actors change many times but the characters remain the same.
These are consistently entertaining mystery/private eye movies with a twinkle in the eye and a bit of excitement. Â Ronald Coleman may be the ultimate Bulldog Drummond though The role would also fit Ray Milland like a glove later on.
The film was nominated for Best Actor (Coleman) and Best Art Direction.
