I rate the Moulliman JEKYLL and HYDE amongst the absolute best of top-drawer, early-talkie chiller-thriller gothic works, a refreshing change from the recognizably different output of RKO, Universal and others. Paramount bequeathed us two absolutely splendid works, in the sinister shape of LOST SOULS, and this brilliantly kinetic piece, which I relish and savor with each delight-filled viewing.

Paramount's optical printer seems to be given a thorough workout here, with all manner of screen wipes enhancing the already-sumptous visual merits on view for the committed conniseur of early screen talkie-terror.

The 1941 Spencer Tracy version boasts top-notch, typically lush M-G-M production values and it holds a special place in my heart as it was the first full-length work I witnessed on this subject. Full marks also to MGM for supplying us with a very good quality print, which radiates with lustrous detail. The 40s were not especially sparkling years for screen fantasy in my view, but this Tracy entry is a more than welcome addition to my DVD collection, and the notorious sado-machisto whipping scene reels off like the bad dream it portends to aspire to: alarmingly chilling, and highly counterbalanced compared to the glossy excess usually put out by Hollywood within the same period.

Oh yes: the rather good double-DVD of the 1931 and 1941 versions on one disc also contains buff-friendly commentary on the early version, and also------a delightful bonus, in the shape of a Sylvester and Tweety animation, on the theme of split-personality!

'the horror..............THE HORROR!'


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