Barrymore's Hyde is a beaut!

funkyfry

This 1920 production was the work of Famous Players (later Paramount) and the studio's early style of imitating a stage look limits this film visually and in terms of its acting, which is not subtle.  However, Barrymore delivers with panache and flamboyance as the dual personality doctor.  His makeup and mannerisms as Hyde are really grotesque, providing reason enough to watch the film.  The sets are also very well done; you can almost see the slime of grunge coming off the pedestals and door posts, very similar to the look of Universal's later "Phantom of the Opera" w/ Lon Chaney.  But what with the static camera, this film comes off as quite a sleep inducer, and seems a lot longer than it is.  Still, wroth seeing for Barrymore's performance and excellent makeup.

score 6/10

funkyfry 9 October 2002

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0002168/