"Bulldogs Drummond's Peril" has an outstanding cast but is not very well written and is slowly directed at times. It lacks the verve and lacks the dialog sparkle that is necessary for a b- movie to be entirely successful. In fact, there are better movies than this available in the John Howard "Bulldog Drummond" series.
Despite these problems, the cast is very watchable featuring the indomitable E.E.Clive and also Halliwell Hobbes. John Howard is handsome and charming and although personally lacking screen impact, can be adequate as Drummond with more dynamic direction than he gets here. Barrymore provides energy and brightens up the proceedings but is less steady in this outing than in his other Drummond appearances, and sadly appears to be an aging alcoholic on the verge of unraveling. Although he looks unwell and is clearly struggling, I don't have any complaints about Barrymore's effort- he is trying to give the best he had left.
The plot and script are sub-par, and combined with stodgy direction provide us with a rather nondescript film that is not as good as the better "Bulldog" movies of the era. But worth your time if you are a Clive or Hobbes fan.
Despite these problems, the cast is very watchable featuring the indomitable E.E.Clive and also Halliwell Hobbes. John Howard is handsome and charming and although personally lacking screen impact, can be adequate as Drummond with more dynamic direction than he gets here. Barrymore provides energy and brightens up the proceedings but is less steady in this outing than in his other Drummond appearances, and sadly appears to be an aging alcoholic on the verge of unraveling. Although he looks unwell and is clearly struggling, I don't have any complaints about Barrymore's effort- he is trying to give the best he had left.
The plot and script are sub-par, and combined with stodgy direction provide us with a rather nondescript film that is not as good as the better "Bulldog" movies of the era. But worth your time if you are a Clive or Hobbes fan.