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.
Ronald Coleman, my heart throb. I will watch it!
Tell me what you think of it?
I’ve seen a few Bulldog Drummond movies but it’s been a while. I recognize the actor playing Algy so I must have seen this. I really love the one where Reginald Denny is Algy.
I find Algy kind of disturbing. He pals around in these dangerous adventures, and I sometimes wonder if Drummond ever feels bad about subjecting a feeble-witted alcoholic to such peril.
I followed Bulldog all through the 30s. I don’t think there is one I didn’t at least like.
Your proofreader has returned (also wanted to say email was down for a day, should be right now)
“serving in WWI should he places an ad in a newspaper”……………think “should” should be “so” shouldn’t it?
Of course! My proofreader is never wrong!
What fun! Time spent with Ronald Colman is always time well spent! Gregg Toland and George S. Barnes certainly had a field day with the film’s look. Were “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” and “Nosferatu” inspirations?
I skipped ahead to “The Devil To Pay!” (1930, also currently free with Prime). More Colman for you to look forward to!
I’ll put that on the list. I’m kind of skipping around in the Pre-Code at the moment. Going back to catch some Academy Award nominees from the early years.