Bulldog Drummond en péril

Once again Bulldog Drummond is planning to marry his fiancée Phylllis. Once again, he gets sidetracked. This time by a mystery involving synthetic diamonds and, of course, murder. This would be the third and final Bulldog Drummond film for both John Barrymore and Louise Campbell. Barrymore would be replaced by H.B. Warner and Campbell by Heather Angel, who returned to the role she played in Bulldog Drummond Escapes. The reason for Barrymore leaving is his alcoholism, which was affecting his performance. Reportedly he had trouble reading lines even when they were written for him on cue cards. You can definitely see something is off with him here. He shouts all his lines, for one thing. I'm not sure of the reason for Campbell's departure. This was the biggest role of her short career and I think she was very good. But I admit Angel was better so I'm not terribly upset over the replacement. The rest of the cast of regulars that would continue on with the series (John Howard, Reginald Denny, E.E. Clive) are fine. Clive has some of the movie's best scenes. There's a nice supporting cast that includes Halliwell Hobbes and Porter Hall.

As with most of the entries in the Paramount series, this is a middling B detective flick with a short runtime. This one passes the hour mark (barely) but the last couple didn't even do that. I don't mind the runtime. It works fine for this type of picture. It's not like Paramount was doing anything innovative or unique with this series, after all. It's just this one is pretty dull. Still, if you're fan of the series you will want to see it. If nothing else, see it for the scene with the cool old-school sci-fi laboratory.

This is one off the more fast-paced features in the Bulldog Drummond series, with the usual likable regulars and a story that includes some interesting details. For the first half or so, it's as good as any of the movies in the series. In the last part, it gets a bit too tangled up at times, but it still comes out all right.

The setup makes use of the series's running gag about the often-postponed plans for the wedding between Drummond and Phyllis, with the adventure this time getting underway with the theft of one of their own wedding gifts. The main story centers around a scientist who has developed a way of producing synthetic diamonds, and some of it is rather imaginative. It also incorporates some nice offbeat details, such as an endearing live penguin.

The story is nicely paced, and except when it tries to squeeze just a little too much out of the material in some of the later sequences, it works pretty well. John Howard is low-key but suitably unflappable as Drummond. Most of the series regulars get some moments of their own. John Barrymore doesn't get as much to work with in this one as he usually does, but he is always entertaining when he gets the chance. Much of it would be watchable just for the good-natured interplay amongst the characters.

British adventurer John Howard (as Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond) is all set to marry girlfriend Louise Campbell (as Phyllis Clavering), in Geneva, Switzerland. Back in Scotland Yard, ace investigator John Barrymore (as Colonel Nielson) sends the couple books as a wedding present. He couldn't make the wedding. While looking over their gifts, Drummond and Phyllis are amazed at the delivery of a stunning diamond. Supposedly artificial ("glass"), the jewel is actually a valuable new synthetic diamond. Almost immediately, the diamond is replaced by a dead body. Of course, Drummond must cancel his wedding to solve the crimes...

This was the last appearance by Mr. Barrymore in the "Bulldog Drummond" series. Frequently shouting, "Don't call me inspector!" it's Barrymore's least successful characterization of Colonel Nielson. Reportedly, alcohol was taking a heavy toll on the acclaimed actor, although he would manage a few more effective roles before expiring. Mysterious guest star Porter Hall (as Max Botulian) picks up some of the slack. Generally, the story is an improvement over the previous episode, with capable direction by James Hogan and editing by Edward Dmytryk. Howard and the regulars are joined by Elizabeth Patterson (as Aunt Blanche), a fine addition.

***** Bulldog Drummond's Peril (1938-03-17) James Hogan ~ John Howard, John Barrymore, Porter Hall, E.E. Clive

Murder and robbery drag the adventurous Drummond away from his wedding and he pursues the villains behind diamond counterfeiting, and finds himself in trouble.

Slightly weaker entry to the ones I had seen, mainly because Phylis, Algy and Tenny aren't in the focus much, and also the plot can be confusing. It also meanders a little. Still it's entertaining; there's a good stunt Tenny does as he transfers himself from his bycycle to a van and a rousing scene of Drummond fencing with a man with a whip.

One of the weaker entries in the Drummond series, but it's still entertaining. Perhaps I've seen too many of the Drummond films too close together. The humor is not as sharp as earlier entries. The pacing is fine, but the plot and villains don't seem to be up to snuff. The villains don't appear evil or sharp enough to harm a fly, let alone our hero.

There is a nice sequence of that wonderful 30s "lab equipment" working its magic. So much more exciting and dramatic than computer chips and LEDs! Now that's evil!