Extant versions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

Jack Theakston · Post by **Jack Theakston** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:18 pm

Howdy folks,

A friend of mine is running the Barrymore JEKYLL AND HYDE in October, but would like to do a few other versions of the film that are silent. I know there's a version with Sheldon Lewis from the same year that used to be "out there." There's also DR. PICKLE AND MR. PRYDE and the 1913 version with King Baggot, but who has holdings on these in 35mm? What else is extant?

Richard M Roberts · Post by **Richard M Roberts** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:51 pm

Jack Theakston wrote:Howdy folks,

A friend of mine is running the Barrymore JEKYLL AND HYDE in October, but would like to do a few other versions of the film that are silent. I know there's a version with Sheldon Lewis from the same year that used to be "out there." There's also DR. PICKLE AND MR. PRYDE and the 1913 version with King Baggot, but who has holdings on these in 35mm? What else is extant?

There's the 1911 Thanhpuser version with James Cruze that Blackhawk had for years (I think the original materials are at LOC). There are various versions of the 1920 Pioneer Film Corp version with Sheldon Lewis that run anywhere fron one to multiple reels. ( I have a print I've been piecing together for years that runs nearly five, and its still incomplete).

There is also another spoof from 1920 called WHEN QUACKEL DID HIDE starring Charlie Joy that was produced by Gold Seal down in Miami. It's been listed as a 5-reel feature, but the surviving prints are actually two reels and seem complete (or perhaps the thought of three more reels of this dreadfully unfunny film are to much to want to think about).

I think the 1913 King Baggott Universal version is at either LOC or Eastman House. I can check on that and get back to you. It's not bad, but Baggott's transformation to Hyde looks more like his back's going out than the dark side of his soul is taking over. I love the Sheldon Lewis version for it's sheer barnstorming tackiness. It's also great to run with the 1934 one-reel filming of Sheldon Lewis's vaudeville version of DR JEKYLL AND HYDE where his live transformation is caught uncut as he deftly slips his false teeth in and out and musses and straightens his hair when he feels the change coming on.

RICHARD M ROBERTS

Post by **silentfilm** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:51 pm

Blackhawk used to sell the Thanhouser 1911 version with James Cruze in 16mm and the 8mm formats. They also sold a one-reel version of the Sheldon Lewis "rip-off" version from 1920. Charles Vesce sold the complete Lewis version on 16mm.

Abbott and Costello met Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in 1953.

Jack Theakston · Post by **Jack Theakston** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 1:45 pm

Thank you kindly, gents. Perhaps the Lewis version is a good candidate for an extensive restoration. Is there any 35mm material on the sound short?

Keep the ideas coming. Thanks!

Richard M Roberts · Post by **Richard M Roberts** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:34 pm

I checked around, and the King Baggott version of DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE is actually at UCLA, and they do have a loanable print in 35mm.

I don't know about 35mm on either of the Sheldon Lewis versions. The interesting thing about all the chunks of the 1920 version I've pieced together is they obviously all came from the same master material with the same scratches, and that material passed through both Charles Tarbox and Paul Killiams hands, where they seemed to have cut various bits of it out for their own needs. But that original source material seems to also have vanished. Then again, how many have really been looking for it that hard?

RICHARD M ROBERTS

Micromegas · Post by **Micromegas** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:22 pm

Also from the silent era but hardly silent is the audio recording (pre-1910) of the transformation scene by Len Spencer staight from the play by Fish and Forepaugh. It's probably still online somewhere.

In a bit of a stretch, Paul Lindau adapted Stevenson's play as Der Anderer (The Other). This was then filmed and it's extant too.

Interesting that 1920 also had Der Januskopf and a Jekyll and Hyde starring Hank Mann. I've lost track of how many lost J & H's there are that pre-date this.

Steve

Einar the Lonely · Post by **Einar the Lonely** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 7:00 pm

In a bit of a stretch, Paul Lindau adapted Stevenson's play as Der Anderer (The Other). This was then filmed and it's extant too.

The correct title is DER ANDERE (1913). Also exisiting is a sound remake by Robert Wiene starring Fritz Kortner, made in 1930.

radiotelefonia · Post by **radiotelefonia** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 7:50 pm

In the sound era there was the 1932 and 1941 versions.

Also, leaving it decomposing, there is the 1951 remake directed and starring Mario Soffici.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/film/2965

daveboz · Post by **daveboz** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:23 am

The Len Spencer cylinder from c . 1905 can be heard at:

http://www.tinfoil.com/cm-0009.htm

It's in RealAudio format. Pretty amusing! With orchestral accompaniment and sound effects.

Cheers!

Scoundrel · Post by **Scoundrel** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 1:56 pm

The Transformation Scene with Len Spencer was included as an extra on KINO's most recent release of the John Barrymore JEKYLL and HYDE

As you have probably guessed the Thanhouser JEKYLL and HYDE is a
personal favorite of mine.

greta de groat · Post by **greta de groat** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:16 pm

Scoundrel wrote: As you have probably guessed the Thanhouser JEKYLL and HYDE is a
personal favorite of mine.

Mine too. I love the way he gets that "uh oh, gotta go" look before he dashes off to transform.

greta

Micromegas · Post by **Micromegas** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:41 pm

[quote="Scoundrel"]The Transformation Scene with Len Spencer was included as an extra on KINO's most recent release of the John Barrymore JEKYLL and HYDE
quote]

I haven't listened for a while but I think that they may be two different Len Spencer recordings of the same deal.

Steve

Scoundrel · Post by **Scoundrel** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:54 pm

From the review of KINO's JEKYLL AND HYDE @ Silent Era.com

"Included on this DVD is “The Transformation Scene,” a circa 1909 audio recording by Len Spencer as released by Columbia Records [A389]. A helpful transcription of the verbal performance appears onscreen to aid the listener in deciphering this historical 78 RPM acoustical recording..."

http://www.silentera.com/DVD/drJekyllandMrHydeDVD.html

Jack Theakston · Post by **Jack Theakston** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 6:00 am

Does anyone know if the Cruze version is available in 35mm?

Micromegas · Post by **Micromegas** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:04 am

Ned Thanhouser once had online an Excel File Database of all Thanhouser films available. I downloaded it way back when (the date on my file is Dec 2002). There are 6 entries for Jekyll and Hyde. This is the only one listing a 35mm:
Title Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Date 1/16/1912
Location LOC
Ref QDB 8/9/88
Media 35 mm nitrate
Length 712
Comments FPA 9383 (NEG), FEA 6146 (PRINT).Blackhawk Collection.

QDB iirc stands for Q. David Bowers.

The other entries are for Blackhawk, EmGee, "Edward Wagenknecht", La Cinematheque Quebecoise and UCLA. There're all listed at a length of 800 so maybe there's something missing from the LOC elements. Not sure why he has Blackhawk listed in the comments for LOC

Hope this helps a little,

Steve Joyce

Richard M Roberts · Post by **Richard M Roberts** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:01 pm

Micromegas wrote:Ned Thanhouser once had an Excel File Database of all Thanhouser films available online. I downloaded it way back when (the date on my file is Dec 2002). There are 6 entries for Jekyll and Hyde. This is the only one listing a 35mm:
Title Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Date 1/16/1912
Location LOC
Ref QDB 8/9/88
Media 35 mm nitrate
Length 712
Comments FPA 9383 (NEG), FEA 6146 (PRINT).Blackhawk Collection.

QDB iirc stands for Q. David Bowers.

The other entries are for Blackhawk, EmGee, "Edward Wagenknecht", La Cinematheque Quebecoise and UCLA. There're all listed at a length of 800 so maybe there's something missing from the LOC elements. Not sure why he has Blackhawk listed in the comments for LOC

Hope this helps a little,

Steve Joyce

That means the Blackhawk collection housed at LOC, and I think there is indeed a 35mm safety print there. As I think all prints come from the same original source material, the 800 foot length listed elsewhere may be approximate.

RICHARD M ROBERTS

Jack Theakston · Post by **Jack Theakston** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:47 pm

Thank you for the info, gentlemen.

Post by **silentfilm** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:35 am

Ned Thanhouser's Exel spreadsheet is still on the web at http://www.thanhouser.org/database/database.xls.

Michael O'Regan · Post by **Michael O'Regan** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:07 am

Didn't Murnau make a version of J&H called THE JANUS HEAD or something like that?
Is this lost?

Post by **Danny Burk** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:03 am

Michael O'Regan wrote:Didn't Murnau make a version of J&H called THE JANUS HEAD or something like that?
Is this lost?

Yes to both (original title = DER JANUSKOPF)

Arndt · Post by **Arndt** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:10 am

Danny Burk wrote:
Michael O'Regan wrote:Didn't Murnau make a version of J&H called THE JANUS HEAD or something like that?
Is this lost?
Yes to both (original title = DER JANUSKOPF)

With Conrad Veidt, no less!

Post by **Danny Burk** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:19 am

Arndt wrote:
Danny Burk wrote:
Michael O'Regan wrote:Didn't Murnau make a version of J&H called THE JANUS HEAD or something like that?
Is this lost?
Yes to both (original title = DER JANUSKOPF)
With Conrad Veidt, no less!

And, billed 5th, Bela Lugosi!

Michael O'Regan · Post by **Michael O'Regan** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:44 pm

Does any of it survive?

Arndt · Post by **Arndt** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:44 pm

Michael O'Regan wrote:Does any of it survive?

Sadly, apparently not.

Extant versions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

Extant versions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

Re: Extant versions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?