We see a caped man running towards us. It’s night and he’s making his way through a narrow, foggy alley way. We are in 1800’s London. We cut to a hospital where Dr. Jekyll has just given a report to the medical society. His report which claims man has two distinct sides, one good and one evil, is met with hostility by the audience. Jekyll wants to experiment on humans with his new serum. Split the two sides of man’s nature. The medical/scientific society thinks it’s dangerous ground and could create a monster. The lecture ends in an uproar.
Jekyll takes his potion and experiments on himself. The first time he take the liquid he goes into painful convulsions. He awakens the next morning with no recollection of the night before. He tries to put the previous night together. He finds various articles in his clothes, a hand bill from a dance hall, a garter, a liquor bottle. an iou. He goes to the dance hall to see if he was there the night before. No one recognizes him but he finds out that a Mr Hyde was there and he raised hell and made a memorable impression. He also meets the woman Hyde spent time with.
Jekyll continues to experiment on himself, transforming himself into Hyde. The very violent Hyde. We follow Jekyll and his other half. Eventually Hyde takes over and reeks violence around him.
This was a teleplay that totally captured CB’s imagination. Director Charles Jarrot has a great story to work with in Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic and tells it with lots of suspense and tension. He and his team create the perfect atmosphere for this story to play out. Foggy, cramped streets. Claustrophobic and dark You feel it. Jack Palance gives a very good performance in the two characters. He is surrounded by a solid British cast. It felt like a slice of well done live theater.
This movie left a lasting impression on CB. He was swept up in the story. That we all have the two sides (maybe more). Watch out for the Hyde side, he’s a bad bastard!
cincinnatibabyhead on Duke’s Sidemen : Sam… | |
1537 on Duke’s Sidemen : Sam… | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Duke’s Sidemen : Sam… | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Duke’s Sidemen : Sam… | |
hotfox63 on Duke’s Sidemen : Sam… |
cincinnatibabyhead on Duke’s Sidemen : Sam… | |
1537 on Duke’s Sidemen : Sam… | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Duke’s Sidemen : Sam… | |
cincinnatibabyhead on Duke’s Sidemen : Sam… | |
hotfox63 on Duke’s Sidemen : Sam… |
I read this work many years ago. It’s a classic novel on the duality of man. I never saw the movie. I think people who are interested in literature should read the novel to improve their own reading skills. It never hurts to improve the mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Time for a reread for me. I thought they did a good job with this production. More like a play. Really sold acting and Palance brought a real presence on the “duality issue. I think my mind is beyond improving but I’m still trying. Thanks for dropping by Fox.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” doesn’t match Stevenson’s “Treasure Island”, but is a classic worthy of the title.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m adding all those old novels to my reading list.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting. A TV movie eh? The only place I could find it was on Amazon for about 12 bucks. Unless you know something I don’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d save the 12 bucks. There’s a not so good version on something called Dailymotion. I like the story and the English do this stuff the best. How they cast Palance has me but it works.
LikeLike
CB, if you see Hyde coming, you better hide!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or I’ll get a Hyde’n.
LikeLike
What year was this Palance version? Early ’70s? I may have seen it. I’ve definitely seen the Fredric March and Spencer Tracy versions. A story that never grows old.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it was 68. Not everyones cup of tea but like you said “A story that never grows old”. I thought they did a good job with it. The British touch helped. It would have been cool to see March and Tracy make more movies out of the studio system. Remember March in Hombre? He was fantastic.
LikeLike
Yes, March was fabulous in “Hombre.” What a sleazeball. And I agree, CB, a British touch outside the studio system probably helped. Palance was a good choice, and I think I remember seeing this in ’68. The March version is interesting mainly due to pre-Code Miriam Hopkins. There’s a scene in a bedroom where… well, you’ll see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will check out that scene for sure. I think in the back of my brain I remember that from somewhere. Thanks Pete. Don’t drink too much of the Hyde juice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a temper like Mr Hyde, so I relate to this one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hyde is a bad bastard. We” have to get Mrs 1537 to lock you in your room if you get into the juice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great stuff CB. Jack Palance always does it for me! Regards Thom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Thom. Jack does it for me also. Just watched Monte Walsh recently.
LikeLiked by 1 person