Film Perfection

Don't listen to the negative reviews

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

"Bulldogs Drummond's Peril" has an outstanding cast but is not very well written and is slowly directed at times. It lacks the verve and lacks the dialog sparkle that is necessary for a b- movie to be entirely successful. In fact, there are better movies than this available in the John Howard "Bulldog Drummond" series.Despite these problems, the cast is very watchable featuring the indomitable E.E.Clive and also Halliwell Hobbes. John Howard is handsome and charming and although personally lacking screen impact, can be adequate as Drummond with more dynamic direction than he gets here. Barrymore provides energy and brightens up the proceedings but is less steady in this outing than in his other Drummond appearances, and sadly appears to be an aging alcoholic on the verge of unraveling. Although he looks unwell and is clearly struggling, I don't have any complaints about Barrymore's effort- he is trying to give the best he had left.The plot and script are sub-par, and combined with stodgy direction provide us with a rather nondescript film that is not as good as the better "Bulldog" movies of the era. But worth your time if you are a Clive or Hobbes fan.

British adventurer John Howard (as Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond) is all set to marry girlfriend Louise Campbell (as Phyllis Clavering), in Geneva, Switzerland. Back in Scotland Yard, ace investigator John Barrymore (as Colonel Nielson) sends the couple books as a wedding present. He couldn't make the wedding. While looking over their gifts, Drummond and Phyllis are amazed at the delivery of a stunning diamond. Supposedly artificial ("glass"), the jewel is actually a valuable new synthetic diamond. Almost immediately, the diamond is replaced by a dead body. Of course, Drummond must cancel his wedding to solve the crimes...This was the last appearance by Mr. Barrymore in the "Bulldog Drummond" series. Frequently shouting, "Don't call me inspector!" it's Barrymore's least successful characterization of Colonel Nielson. Reportedly, alcohol was taking a heavy toll on the acclaimed actor, although he would manage a few more effective roles before expiring. Mysterious guest star Porter Hall (as Max Botulian) picks up some of the slack. Generally, the story is an improvement over the previous episode, with capable direction by James Hogan and editing by Edward Dmytryk. Howard and the regulars are joined by Elizabeth Patterson (as Aunt Blanche), a fine addition.***** Bulldog Drummond's Peril (1938-03-17) James Hogan ~ John Howard, John Barrymore, Porter Hall, E.E. Clive

In this episode captain Drummond tries to find the killer of various people. All assassinations were provoked by a diamond of great value, but Drummond will face the danger.John Barrymore is in this, but not playing Drummond.I've seen a few of these Drummond films and am not a huge fan of them.. Maybe because they are so dated. Unsure.This one is typical of the others but Barrymore is interesting to watch.That's about it.

This is one off the more fast-paced features in the Bulldog Drummond series, with the usual likable regulars and a story that includes some interesting details. For the first half or so, it's as good as any of the movies in the series. In the last part, it gets a bit too tangled up at times, but it still comes out all right.The setup makes use of the series's running gag about the often-postponed plans for the wedding between Drummond and Phyllis, with the adventure this time getting underway with the theft of one of their own wedding gifts. The main story centers around a scientist who has developed a way of producing synthetic diamonds, and some of it is rather imaginative. It also incorporates some nice offbeat details, such as an endearing live penguin.The story is nicely paced, and except when it tries to squeeze just a little too much out of the material in some of the later sequences, it works pretty well. John Howard is low-key but suitably unflappable as Drummond. Most of the series regulars get some moments of their own. John Barrymore doesn't get as much to work with in this one as he usually does, but he is always entertaining when he gets the chance. Much of it would be watchable just for the good-natured interplay amongst the characters.