During the thirties film studios in Hollywood were going "classics crazy". Even poverty row studios such as Monogram were having a go as they plundered literary classics and bought out their own versions of "The Moonstone" (1934), "Jane Eyre" (1934)(beautiful Virginia Bruce was Jane Eyre) and "Oliver Twist" (1933) with Dickie Moore in the title role. It was only fitting that Universal, home of the horror movie, should tackle "Mystery of Edwin Drood" (although at the time they could not afford such a costly production) and with a plot involving murder, violence and drug addiction it was one of Charles Dickens darkest novels. It was unfinished at the time of Dickens' death - he had only finished 6 chapters of a 12 chapter serialization and no attempt was made to finish it.
It was an ideal story for Universal's latest sensation - an actor who was to excel in some splendidly malevolent roles - Claude Rains. Respected choir master John Jasper (Claude Rains) has a secret - he is an opium addict and his warped dreams are all about Rosa Budd (Heather Angel). She has been engaged to Edwin Drood "Ned" (David Manners) since they were children and both of them are of the opinion that even though they feel only friendship toward each other, they may as well marry. The thought of their marriage is driving Jasper insane.
Helena (Valerie Hobson) and Neville Landless (Douglass Montgomery), brother and sister, are surprise visitors to the village. They have come to England from Ceylon to study at Mr. Crisparkles but they have come out under a cloud. Neville has a violent temper and the reason they were sent to England is that Neville took a knife to his stepfather - after his sister was severely beaten by him. That night, at a welcoming dinner, Rosa faints - there is something about Jasper that repels her. Later, that same night, when Neville feels that Edwin is not speaking of Rosa with respect, his temper gets the better of him and he draws a knife. Jasper, who swears to keep the incident a secret, sees a way of making trouble and spreads the story throughout the village, giving Neville a reputation as hot tempered. Rosa and "Ned" have now called off their engagement but when they seal their friendship with a kiss Jasper sees them and jealously plots his revenge. "Ned" goes missing on the night of a fierce storm and Neville is bought in - he has just started a walking tour.
This is just a terrific film and the ending concocted by scenarists John Balderston and Grace Unger met with universal approval from Dickens' fans, who thought it remained faithful to the novel's original intentions. Even though many of the colourful characters were left out due to the film's shorter running time, Francis L. Sullivan is a standout as Mr. Crisparkle. Although it is clear Jasper murdered Edwin, finding out how he did it, how the body was disposed and how he was found out will have you on the edge of your seat.
If there was ever an actress who was born to play Victorian heroines, it was Heather Angel - she was absolutely gorgeous as Rosa Budd (even she makes a joke about the name in the film). I don't think Claude Rains was outshone by anyone in this film, I thought he was simply fantastic but he was definitely given a run for his money by Douglass Montgomery, who showed what he could do when given a role he could sink his teeth into. David Manners, who had never worn the mantle of movie star comfortably, was almost at the end of his career. Zeffie Tilbury gave a subdued performance as "the Opium Woman" - I was very surprised, considering the only time I have ever seen her - she was mugging for all she was worth in the ghastly "Mystery Liner" (1934).
Highly Recommended.
It was an ideal story for Universal's latest sensation - an actor who was to excel in some splendidly malevolent roles - Claude Rains. Respected choir master John Jasper (Claude Rains) has a secret - he is an opium addict and his warped dreams are all about Rosa Budd (Heather Angel). She has been engaged to Edwin Drood "Ned" (David Manners) since they were children and both of them are of the opinion that even though they feel only friendship toward each other, they may as well marry. The thought of their marriage is driving Jasper insane.
Helena (Valerie Hobson) and Neville Landless (Douglass Montgomery), brother and sister, are surprise visitors to the village. They have come to England from Ceylon to study at Mr. Crisparkles but they have come out under a cloud. Neville has a violent temper and the reason they were sent to England is that Neville took a knife to his stepfather - after his sister was severely beaten by him. That night, at a welcoming dinner, Rosa faints - there is something about Jasper that repels her. Later, that same night, when Neville feels that Edwin is not speaking of Rosa with respect, his temper gets the better of him and he draws a knife. Jasper, who swears to keep the incident a secret, sees a way of making trouble and spreads the story throughout the village, giving Neville a reputation as hot tempered. Rosa and "Ned" have now called off their engagement but when they seal their friendship with a kiss Jasper sees them and jealously plots his revenge. "Ned" goes missing on the night of a fierce storm and Neville is bought in - he has just started a walking tour.
This is just a terrific film and the ending concocted by scenarists John Balderston and Grace Unger met with universal approval from Dickens' fans, who thought it remained faithful to the novel's original intentions. Even though many of the colourful characters were left out due to the film's shorter running time, Francis L. Sullivan is a standout as Mr. Crisparkle. Although it is clear Jasper murdered Edwin, finding out how he did it, how the body was disposed and how he was found out will have you on the edge of your seat.
If there was ever an actress who was born to play Victorian heroines, it was Heather Angel - she was absolutely gorgeous as Rosa Budd (even she makes a joke about the name in the film). I don't think Claude Rains was outshone by anyone in this film, I thought he was simply fantastic but he was definitely given a run for his money by Douglass Montgomery, who showed what he could do when given a role he could sink his teeth into. David Manners, who had never worn the mantle of movie star comfortably, was almost at the end of his career. Zeffie Tilbury gave a subdued performance as "the Opium Woman" - I was very surprised, considering the only time I have ever seen her - she was mugging for all she was worth in the ghastly "Mystery Liner" (1934).
Highly Recommended.