Bulldog Drummond’s Revenge
Directed by Louis King
Written by Edward T. Lowe Jr. based on a novel by Herman C. McNeile
1936/USA
Paramount Pictures
First viewing
This is a sprightly entry in the Bulldog Drummond series of programmers. Hugh Drummond is preparing to marry the long-suffering Phyllis in Switzerland when he chances upon a plot to steal a top-secret explosive and associated murders. With John Howard as Drummond, John Barrymore as Col. Nielson of Scotland Yard, Reginald Denny as Drummond’s friend Algy, and E. E. Clive as his butler Tenny. It’s a pleasant, undemanding way to spend an hour.
Clip – opening sequence
I love these “B” series including Bulldog Drummond, The Saint, The Falcon, The Crime Doctor etc. Looks like this film was really the ending of John Barrymore’s career since he is playing support in a “double bill” feature. In some of his late films, you can see him reading from cue cards. So sad.
Somehow Barrymore still received top billing for very little screen time. I suppose name recognition still sold tickets. Barrymore had such a great fall. Welles once said his was the greatest Hamlet he had ever seen. Obviously, this was much prior to 1937.