If you watch this film, FORCE YOURSELF NOT TO TURN IT OFF! Several times in the first few minutes I'd contemplated turning it off, as the film definitely started very slowly and felt a bit stilted. Fortunately, it improved--and the final half hour was terrific. Stick with this one.
The film begins with Mr. Jasper (Claude Rains) hanging out in an opium den! Yet, when he leaves, he assumes a very respectable veneer and few would suspect that he's a major screwball. No, to outward appearances, he's a respectable gentleman and the last anyone would suspect of wickedness-- few, other than his niece, that is. She thinks he's a creepy man who is casting lustful glances her way. And, she's right--he wants her and in the worst way. However, Rosa Bud (yes, that is the character's name!) is engaged to marry Japser's nephew--Edwin Drood. And when Drood disappears and Jasper begins telling everyone his nephew is dead, suspicion falls on an innocent man, Landless (Douglass Montgomery). As the innocent man sees that the deck is stacked against him, he disappears and only comes back later in disguise--in order to investigate the crime himself. See the film to see what happens next.
It seems that Charles Dickens died before he finished this, his final story. But, as people loved Dickens, it's not surprising several film studios decided to finish his story and make the film. In this case, it's never really in doubt that Rains was the killer--but in the book this was not the case. In fact, there's good evidence to suggest that Dickens had intended for Drood to return--alive and in one piece! But, even if this isn't Dickens' vision, the folks at Universal did weave a good story--and the best was the latter portion that Dickens did NOT put on paper. Well done all around--with a particularly noteworthy performance by Montgomery--who, oddly, did much better in his alter-ego than when he was playing a normal character! A few things to look for in the film include: the ridiculously melodious voice coming out of Rains when he sang which obviously is NOT his, Will Geer in a tiny role as a lamplighter 53 minutes into the movie and the lovely sets which were recycled from the latest Frankenstein movie!! Well worth seeing.
The film begins with Mr. Jasper (Claude Rains) hanging out in an opium den! Yet, when he leaves, he assumes a very respectable veneer and few would suspect that he's a major screwball. No, to outward appearances, he's a respectable gentleman and the last anyone would suspect of wickedness-- few, other than his niece, that is. She thinks he's a creepy man who is casting lustful glances her way. And, she's right--he wants her and in the worst way. However, Rosa Bud (yes, that is the character's name!) is engaged to marry Japser's nephew--Edwin Drood. And when Drood disappears and Jasper begins telling everyone his nephew is dead, suspicion falls on an innocent man, Landless (Douglass Montgomery). As the innocent man sees that the deck is stacked against him, he disappears and only comes back later in disguise--in order to investigate the crime himself. See the film to see what happens next.
It seems that Charles Dickens died before he finished this, his final story. But, as people loved Dickens, it's not surprising several film studios decided to finish his story and make the film. In this case, it's never really in doubt that Rains was the killer--but in the book this was not the case. In fact, there's good evidence to suggest that Dickens had intended for Drood to return--alive and in one piece! But, even if this isn't Dickens' vision, the folks at Universal did weave a good story--and the best was the latter portion that Dickens did NOT put on paper. Well done all around--with a particularly noteworthy performance by Montgomery--who, oddly, did much better in his alter-ego than when he was playing a normal character! A few things to look for in the film include: the ridiculously melodious voice coming out of Rains when he sang which obviously is NOT his, Will Geer in a tiny role as a lamplighter 53 minutes into the movie and the lovely sets which were recycled from the latest Frankenstein movie!! Well worth seeing.