Bulldog Drummond (1929) is an early sound film which tries to push the medium artistically. There's a lot of interesting camera set-ups and the film somehow feels less set-bound than other early talkies. The sets themselves are designed well and give the picture a sort of pulp atmosphere that makes it more interesting than the typical early sound film fare.
The story is simple, pulp stuff: a bored ex-veteran gets involved with the case of a beautiful young woman whose wealthy uncle has been kidnapped by a gang of criminals. There's little depth to any of the characters, but in a story like this, that does not matter.
Unlike other actors in early talkies, Ronald Colman remembers that this is a film and not a stage play. He is quite naturalistic and charming, delivering his lines without any artificiality. Less can be said for his leading lady Joan Bennett, whose stiff performance shows her inexperience. Lilyan Tashman, Montagu Love, and Lawrence Grant are great as the comic book-style villains of the picture.
This film is also VERY pre-code: Love and Tashman are lovers masquerading as siblings (no one is fooled, not even the ingénue heroine), and once the heroes are captured by the bad guys, Grant kisses and fondles the unconscious Bennett in front of the restrained Colman.
Bulldog Drummond (1929) is a fascinating look at early sound cinema and despite a few campy moments, is quite entertaining.
The story is simple, pulp stuff: a bored ex-veteran gets involved with the case of a beautiful young woman whose wealthy uncle has been kidnapped by a gang of criminals. There's little depth to any of the characters, but in a story like this, that does not matter.
Unlike other actors in early talkies, Ronald Colman remembers that this is a film and not a stage play. He is quite naturalistic and charming, delivering his lines without any artificiality. Less can be said for his leading lady Joan Bennett, whose stiff performance shows her inexperience. Lilyan Tashman, Montagu Love, and Lawrence Grant are great as the comic book-style villains of the picture.
This film is also VERY pre-code: Love and Tashman are lovers masquerading as siblings (no one is fooled, not even the ingénue heroine), and once the heroes are captured by the bad guys, Grant kisses and fondles the unconscious Bennett in front of the restrained Colman.
Bulldog Drummond (1929) is a fascinating look at early sound cinema and despite a few campy moments, is quite entertaining.