Bulldog Drummond.

[JaseSF]

Has anyone else seen any of these classic adventure/sleuth tales from the mid to late 1930s? For the most part for me personally, they've proved very enjoyable with great on screen chemistry between Drummond (most often played by John Howard) and his supporting cast of characters. There's just something infinitely likable about this supporting cast especially Drummond's adventurous butler/tag-along/father figure Tenny (brilliantly played in frequent show stealing fashion by E.E. Clive).  Clive's Tenny I suspect might just have been an inspiration for Alfred the Butler from Batman. Also of course there was Drummond's long-suffering love-interest/bride-to-be Phyllis Clavering (usually played by either the gorgeous Heather Angel or the comely Louise Campbell) who can never seem to get Drummond hitched before he's off on another adventure, Drummond's best friend the bumbling but good natured and good intentioned Algy (Reginald Denny) and finally the gruff Colonel Neilson of Scotland Yard (played best by the one and only John Barrymore) who finds himself frequently pestered by Drummond's interference in his business but nevertheless usually ends up happy with the results. I find I absolutely love everything about these films (atmosphere, character chemistry, secret agents up to no good looking to do in our hero Drummond, the expected comic book style adventure)...am I alone?

[The Burgomaster]

There are a bunch of them in Mill Creek's MYSTERY CLASSICS 50 MOVIE PACK.  I have watched only one so far, but I found it to be very entertaining.

[Gerry]

I'm a huge fan.  I picked up the following Alpha's a while back:

BULLDOG DRUMMOND'S REVENGE (1937)
BULLDOG DRUMMOND COMES BACK (1937)
BULLDOG DRUMMOND AT BAY (1937)
BULLDOG DRUMMOND ESCAPES (1937)
BULLDOG DRUMMOND'S PERIL   (1938)
BULLDOG DRUMMOND IN AFRICA (1938)
BULLDOG DRUMMOND'S BRIDE    (1939)
BULLDOG DRUMMOND'S SECRET POLICE   (1939)
ARREST BULLDOG DRUMMOND   DVD (1939)

In that set, there are three different actors playing Drummond: Ray Milland (ESCAPES), John Lodge (AT BAY) and John Howard (the rest and my personal favorite). The rest of the cast varies from film to film too.  John Barrymore only played Col. Nielson in  PERIL, REVENGE and COMES BACK for example.  But they are always a lot of fun.

Drummond was also revived in the 60s for two "super-spy" movies:

DEADLIER THAN THE MALE (1966)
SOME GIRLS DO (1969)

Both of which are great fun and manage to maintain the same humor of the original while operating in another genre. They are both available in a cool R2 PAL DVD double feature set.

[JaseSF]

The "Bulldog Drummond" movies I own were indeed in the Mystery Classic Horror Pack from Treeline. Unfortunately a couple of those are edited versions with slightly less than full running lengths. Anyone know what the best DVD release of the Drummond series is? Is it the Alphas or perhaps something else?

[Raffine]

I was vaguely aware of the series before finally seeing them as part of the Mystery Movie pack. Definitely a cut above many of the formulistic film series of the time. I've watched the first three in the series and had a smashing good time with them.

My experience is the Alpha and the 50 MOVIE PACK releases, at least the Todd Slaughter films, look like they were made from the same print. Gerry, have you compared the two?

Apparently there were several "Bulldog Drummond" movies made in the silent era. There was also high profile 1929 'talkie' titled BULLDOG DRUMMOND, starring Ronald Coleman as Drummond. These don't appear to be on DVD, but the Coleman version was released on VHS.

There was also a 40's 'Bulldog Drummond' radio program. here's a couple of episodes:
http://www.freeotrshows.com/otr/b/Bulldog_Drummond.html

[Gerry]

No, I haven't compared the prints.  The Alphas are in fair to rough condition, but watchable.

[The Burgomaster]

The one Drummond movie I watched in the MYSTERY CLASSICS pack was a very good quality print.  I haven't seen the others yet.

[Shadow]

Wow, I've never seen any of these. They sound good! Since, I love older films, I'm going to have to check them out!

[Scott]

Been curious about the Bulldog Drummond films since I seen them under the Alpha Video label. Will make it a point to see at least one of them.

[JaseSF]

I heartily recommend BULLDOG DRUMMOND IN AFRICA which stars the one and only J. Carrol Naish as the main villain and BULLDOG DRUMMOND COMES BACK, which features a clever criminal revenge plot Drummond must try and outwit.

[Scott]

I'll keep it in mind. Thanks.

[Gerry]

I heartily recommend BULLDOG DRUMMOND IN AFRICA ... and BULLDOG DRUMMOND COMES BACK

Definitely two of the best.  BULLDOG DRUMMOND'S PERIL is another excellent one, but honestly I don't think there's a bad one in the bunch.