The first Bulldog Drummond movie with sound stars Ronald Colman, also in his first talkie. Colman shines as Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond, a retired British captain who is bored with civilian life, so he places an ad in the paper looking for adventure. He's soon helping a young American woman (a beautiful nineteen year-old Joan Bennett) whose uncle is in danger of being robbed by three crooks at an asylum. Aiding him (ineffectually) is his annoying friend Algy (Claud Allister). Colman's Bulldog Drummond is charming, funny, and tough. He kills a man with his bare hands while cracking jokes -- Pre-Code greatness there! It might seem surprising given today's "standards" for what constitutes an Academy Award-worthy performance, but Colman was nominated for this film. For her part, Bennett is solid after a rough start (her first scene she's playing to the balcony). Claud Allister is an acquired taste. Unfortunately I have yet to acquire it as I found his shtick more annoying than amusing. He's supposed to be the comic relief but he's as funny as root canal. Colman and Allister would return to play Drummond and Algy again in 1934's Return of Bulldog Drummond. Lilyan Tashman, Lawrence Grant, and Montagu Love play the baddies and are all fun.
As with most films made during the transition to talkies, there is some creakiness and a stiff, stagy feeling at times. But that's really only going to be an issue for you if you haven't seen many films from this period or before. The sound quality is actually pretty good, all things considered. The script is also quite nice, as are the sets courtesy of William Cameron Menzies. Once the villains enter the picture, the pace picks up and it's a very entertaining movie. Paramount would have some success later with their Bulldog Drummond series of B detective pictures but this one is a more polished, higher quality production than any of those.
As with most films made during the transition to talkies, there is some creakiness and a stiff, stagy feeling at times. But that's really only going to be an issue for you if you haven't seen many films from this period or before. The sound quality is actually pretty good, all things considered. The script is also quite nice, as are the sets courtesy of William Cameron Menzies. Once the villains enter the picture, the pace picks up and it's a very entertaining movie. Paramount would have some success later with their Bulldog Drummond series of B detective pictures but this one is a more polished, higher quality production than any of those.