Rende-te, Bulldog Drummond

John Howard is probably best known for playing "Bulldog" in the Bulldog Drummond crime films. Before that, he was "George", the brother that couldn't wait to leave ShangriLa, in Lost Horizon (it's awesome... if you haven't seen it!) and H.B. Warner, who played "Chang" in Horizon is also in this chapter of Bulldog Drummond. While the picture is good, the sound quality is pretty rough, and we miss some just due to the poor quality. These were pretty light-weight roles for Warner and Howard, and it's the usual formula; Drummond gets mixed up in a murder, is held for questioning, and spends the rest of the film solving the crime, to prove his innocence. In this one, he is also getting married, but keeps postponing the ceremony. E.E. Clive is "Tenny", Drummond's butler/sidekick, kind of a running gag. The bad guy (Leonard Mudie) has a ray-gun gadget that can destroy any target that he chooses. and somehow, a stingray from the aquarium is involved. Too random... too many things going on. Very story driven. Script needed some cleaning up or something. It's okay. Not the best one.

Directed by James Hogan... he had directed a bunch of the Bulldog Drummond films, as well as many of the Ellery Queens. Died pretty young at 53. Original stories written by Herman McNeile, who had just died in 1937. The first Bulldog Drummond stories were actually made into silent films. One fun note - Ron Colman (also from Lost Horizon) had played the 1929 Bulldog in "Bulldog Drummond". It's all connected!

"Arrest Bulldog Drummond" promises more than it delivers - the science fiction plot has bad hats Zucco & Co. in charge of and selling an explosive electric ray device to the Enemy, with Drummond & Co. out to stop him. The weapon has a range of between a quarter and half a mile - which seems to make it well worth £1,000,000 to a Bad Power. A plan to terrorise London? Nah, it'll never happen.

In 56 minutes it lurches from one improbable scene to another - H.B. Warner is definitely NOT my idea of a Scotland Yard Inspector, sorry, Colonel. Colonel? Zucco and his ... sidekick, Lady Beryl take an almost childish glee in repeatedly demonstrating the weapon to themselves - meaning to the original cinema audience of 11 years olds! Everyone as usual plays their parts well, especially Howard/Angel/Denny & Clive as the unflappable goodie quartet.

Some nice touches here and there, with plenty of witticisms from all concerned, especially Hugh's impending marriage to Phyllis - or not, make it an enjoyable entry in the series. My copy was very poor and choppy but didn't detract too much for me.

A superior entry in the series -- which means it is watchable. Most of the good lines are reserved for Reginald Denny, who infects those about him with energy. George Zucco performs his usual thankless role of the intelligent villain with his customary restraint. The plot is, as usual, exceedingly silly. To see how this sort of material can be done interestingly, take a look at the SAINT or FALCON series from RKO.

Bulldog Drummond's wedding plans must be put on hold once again while he tries to stop a madman (George Zucco) with a stolen death ray. A good entry in the Bulldog Drummond series. One of my favorites, actually. John Howard and the cast of regulars are enjoyable. Heather Angel continues to be the best Phyllis -- clever, brave, spunky. H.B. Warner yells a lot this time around. It's annoying. Leonard Mudie is terrific in his brief part as the inventor of the ray. George Zucco and Jean Fenwick are loads of fun as the villains. The science fiction elements are wonderful. Drummond has a cool fight scene on the pier. It moves along at a brisk pace and keeps your interest throughout. It's got George Zucco and a death ray -- how can you not like that?

Dastardly Rolf Alferson (George Zucco) has killed scientist Richard Gannet who has invented an atomic disintegrator machine that can explode anything nearby.

Bulldog Drummond comes across Gannet's dying body and is accused of his murder.

Now Bulldog Drummond has to clear his name while Rolf and his associate Lady Beryl plan to sell the weapon to the highest bidder. Even attempting to demonstrate the weapon on Drummond at one point.

As Bulldog Drummond sends Phyllis away for her safety. She ends up on the same ship as the Rolf and Lady Beryl. They see her wave goodbye to Drummond and places herself at risk.

It is unpretentious fun, with dastardly foreign powers wanting to buy the weapon. Bulldog Drummond, Algy and Tenny trying to evade the police. The script is a bit ropey in places.