Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

How sad is this?

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Jack Buchanan stars in this silent interpretation of the novel by H.C. McNeil that introduced the British detective Captain Hugh `Bulldog' Drummond. An inventor of a process to create synthetic diamonds is kidnapped by thugs at the behest of a gang of millionaires who are afraid what this invention could to the economy. Drummond is on their trail. Viewed at Cinefest in Syracuse New York, March, 2003.

This is the first of two films to spring from Herman C. "Sapper" McNeile's novel THE THIRD ROUND, followed by Paramount's 1938 BULLDOG DRUMMOND'S PERIL with John Howard in the title role, and the second of at least 20 feature films that follow the exploits of the British detective Captain Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond. We're introduced to Drummond while he is training with a sparring partner. In retrospect, this display of the sweet science should not inspire too much confidence in the abilities of our hero, as his partner is portrayed by "Fainting" Phil Scott, the one time British Heavywight Champ who later earned his nickname due to a proclivity for finding the canvas when struck anywhere near the beltline. In this bout, Drummond is in pursuit of arch nemisis and master of disguise Carl Peterson (Jeayes) and his moll Irma (Compton) who, at the behest of a confederacy of millionaires, have kidnapped the inventor of a process to create first class synthetic diamonds.