Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)

“Good and evil are so close as to be chained together at the soul.”

Synopsis:
A highly respected doctor (Spencer Tracy) engaged to a young socialite (Lana Turner) whose father (Donald Crisp) disapproves of their relationship experiments with a potion that turns on his “wild side”, and soon he’s developed a controlling affair with a frightened barmaid (Ingrid Bergman).

Genres:

  • Donald Crisp Films
  • Ingrid Bergman Films
  • Lana Turner Films
  • Mad Doctors and Scientists
  • Multiple Personalities
  • Spencer Tracy Films
  • Victor Fleming Films

Review:
Victor Fleming’s remake of Robert Louis Stevenson’s oft-filmed tale tends to be dismissed as both unnecessary and inferior to its more beloved predecessors — the 1920 silent version with John Barrymore and Rouben Mamoulian’s 1931 adaptation with Fredric March and Miriam Hopkins. However, this harsh assessment is unwarranted: while the earlier two films are more iconic, this one serves its purpose nicely, and is certainly well-made. Most engaging of all is Bergman’s performance: this was notably her first opportunity to play against her “nice girl” persona in Hollywood. (The same was true in reverse for Lana Turner, who was originally considered for Bergman’s part.) Bergman, naturally, brings warmth and depth to a character who could easily have been simply a victimized caricature; she’s mesmerizing every instant she’s on-screen.

Tracy — who resisted taking on this role out of deference for March’s Oscar-winning performance — isn’t awful, as some have claimed; his transformations are believable, even if the rationale for them is less well-developed here than elsewhere.

Note: More than anything, each viewing of this story reminds me of the real-life horrors of domestic abuse, with far too many individuals trapped in the clutches of monstrous partners they can’t escape from.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Ingrid Bergman as Ivy
  • Atmospheric cinematography and sets

  • The surreal transformation hallucinations

Must See?
No, but it’s worth a look, and not deserving of its harshly negative reputation.

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2 thoughts on “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)

  1. First viewing. Agreed that it’s not must-see. (As well, the reference to domestic abuse is well-taken.)

    I agree that Tracy isn’t awful but I don’t particularly find Bergman all that mesmerizing in her role. I didn’t notice much warmth or depth in what she’s playing – she seemed a little one-note to me. While, like Tracy, she’s not awful, I didn’t find her performance much of a standout. (Oddly – considering that I don’t hold her talent in elevated regard… it’s strange how I much prefer Miriam Hopkins in the 1931 version.)

    This remake is handsomely mounted in the typical MGM style of its day – so, aside from everything else, it does look good. But I also feel that, as a remake, it’s unnecessary – and it also feels a little long.

    Unintentionally funny bit: Tracy’s valet suggests to him that he should unwind by going to a local dancehall that has a “comical” show that is “daring”. Later – when we get there – the not-particularly-bawdy showgirls are singing a somewhat-placid song about a polka. This is “daring”?! 😉

  2. Not must see despite being a solid entertainment. The only film version of this tale that I’d rate as must see would be the 1931, which is fabulous.

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