Films

 

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (MGM 1941)

Lana and actor Donald Crisp in 1941's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". Lou Valentino Collection.

Production Dates: February 4, 1941-April 8, 1941

Release Date: August 12, 1941.

Credited Cast and Crew:

Lana Turner, Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman, Donald Crisp.

Directed by: Victor Fleming

Writing Credits: Robert Louis Stevenson (novel), John Lee Mahin, Percy Heath and Samuel Hoffenstein (uncredited 1931 screenplay)

Produced by: Victor Saville

Original Music by: Franz Waxman, Daniele Amfitheatrof, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco and George Grossmith

Cinematography by: Joseph Ruttenburg

Synopsis: Dr Jekyll believes good and evil exist in everyone so he drinks a potion in order to bring out his evil side. The problem arises when he realizes just how "evil" that evil side can be.

My Review: Another small part for baby-faced Lana during her first years at Metro. She had learned a lot since Andy Hardy and it shows. While she hadn't quite reached the career heights and acting talent of Tracy and Bergman, she was getting there. The part that Lana played, of Beatrice, Jekyll's wife, was originally supposed to go to Bergman, but Bergman begged to be able to play the part of the bar maid that Jekyll assists in her hour of need. Interesting to think of how it would have turned out had their roles been reversed.

Your Review: What are YOUR thoughts on this film? Contact me at Liza@lanaturneronline.com

Reviewed by Chad Edwards on March 13, 2005

Victor Fleming's filmization of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson story can actually hold its own against the 1931 Rouben Mamoulian version, which is generally considered to be the best. Spencer Tracy has a field day portraying the kindly London doctor and his less pleasant alter ego. Instead of using the usual grotesque makeup for the role of Mr. Hyde, Tracy relied on a bizarre collection of expressions and a bit of extra hair on his eyebrows, and the results are far more satisfying than you would think. Lana Turner certainly is a feast for the eyes as Beatrice, Jekyll's sweetheart. The real star of the show, however, is Ingrid Bergman's Ivy, the reluctant live-in lover of Mr. Hyde. Like Miriam Hopkins in the earlier filming, Bergman takes this rather ordinary victim role and transforms it into a genuinely sad, tragic figure.

Highlights and Trivia

*During the filming of this picture, no matter how hard she tried, Lana found that she couldn't cry for her big emotional scene. Director Victor Fleming, frustrated when nothing seemed to be working (including "crystals" which were pieces of material that were blown into a person's eyes to produce tears) reportedly twisted Lana's arm until she really DID cry. Co-star Spencer Tracy was none too pleased with this and after the fact gave Fleming the "what for".

Purchase Dr Jekell and Mr. Hyde:

VHS

 

Photo Gallery

Lana thinks deep thoughts while Spencer Tracy looks on in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", 1941.    Lana, Spencer Tracy and Ingrid Bergman holding hands in a publicity for 1941's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"    Lana and Spencer Tracy about to embrace in 1941's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". Lou Valentino Collection    A lobby card for 1941's "Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".    Spencer Tracy showers Lana with love and affection in 1941's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".    The cast of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde poses for the cameras. 1941   

 

 

 

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