Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)

[Raffine]

TCM is showing the 1920 John Barrymore version as their 'Silent Sunday' on March 6th at midnight (et).

I actually have a couple of copies of this in the various mega-movie packs but the prints are pretty much unwatchable and I've never been able to get through it. So I've never really seen this version and glad TCM is running it.

[Jim H]

I prefer the musical version:

My brother-in-law saw the Hoff perform this live on Broadway.  He said it was laughably bad as you'd expect.  I have no idea why they chose to see it really - tickets were probably $60-$70.

Also, I thought the 1931 version was excellent.  One of the best old school monster films I've seen, up there with the Wolfman.  I'd say Paramount out-Universaled Universal with it.  Fantastic acting (barring a couple moments of stagey acting, as you'd expect) from March, particularly as Hyde.  The best cinematography I've seen in a talkie this early.  It's just really good.

I also saw the John Barrymore version a few months ago - I thought the design of Hyde was excellent (the only way I'd say the 1920 version is superior), and Barrymore did a decent job, but found the film quite boring even with a scant 80 minute run time.