Bulldog Drummond was already a famous action/adventure hero by 1929, when this movie was produced. Nevertheless, it is obvious from the first scene that this movie was made with tongue firmly in cheek. Everything is presented in a manner so over-the-top, so heavy-handed, particularly the melodramatic aspects of the story, that it is clear that this film was meant to be as much a comedy as an action/adventure melodrama.
It takes a deft hand to pull off the trick of presenting melodrama as comedy without looking foolish. In this case, the cast of able professionals is headed by two stars who would fo on to achieve legendary film careers: Ronald Coleman and a 19-year-old Joan Bennet.
This movie was produced before Ms. Bennet changed her hair color from blond to black, so some film buffs might not recognizer her immediately. The change differentiated her from her equally-famous blond sister, Constance. However, it apparently also helped her to get more substantial roles. Joan Bennet would end up having one of the longest careers in film history, appearing in 98 productions over a period of well in excess of 60 years.
Bulldog Drummond is an old-fashioned action adventure/melodrama. However, if viewed from the correct perspective, it is also quite funny. It is patently evident that was the perspective from which the filmmakers intended the film to be viewed.
It takes a deft hand to pull off the trick of presenting melodrama as comedy without looking foolish. In this case, the cast of able professionals is headed by two stars who would fo on to achieve legendary film careers: Ronald Coleman and a 19-year-old Joan Bennet.
This movie was produced before Ms. Bennet changed her hair color from blond to black, so some film buffs might not recognizer her immediately. The change differentiated her from her equally-famous blond sister, Constance. However, it apparently also helped her to get more substantial roles. Joan Bennet would end up having one of the longest careers in film history, appearing in 98 productions over a period of well in excess of 60 years.
Bulldog Drummond is an old-fashioned action adventure/melodrama. However, if viewed from the correct perspective, it is also quite funny. It is patently evident that was the perspective from which the filmmakers intended the film to be viewed.