Bulldog Drummond Comes Back (1937)

In his first time playing the role of Captain Hugh “Bulldog” Drummond, John Howard plays the captain desperately trying to rescue his kidnapped fiancé’.  Paramount Pictures released Bulldog Drummond Comes Back (affiliate link) on September 24, 1937.  Prior to John Howard taking over the role, Ronald Coleman and Ralph Richardson both played the fictional British hero.

The film begins with Captain Drummond meeting with his fiance Phyllis Clavering, played by Louise Campbell.  When his friend Algy Longworth suffers a flat tire, Captain Drummond drives to pick him up.  While he is gone, a mysterious group beats up his butler Tenny and kidnaps Phyllis Clavering.

The kidnappers are Mikhail Valdin, played by J. Carrol Naish, and Irena Soldanis, played by Helen Freeman.  Bulldog Drummond provided evidence at the trial of Valdin’s brother.  Valdin’s brother was married to Irena Soldanis.  Due to Drummond’s evidence, the court convicted Valdin’s brother, who was executed.

Valdin and Soldanis leave Drummond several clues and riddles, which he must solve to rescue Miss Clavering.  Valdin and Soldanis tell Drummond he can use Tenny and Algy to help him but not his friend Colonel Neilson.

John Barrymore played Colonel Neilson in this film.  John Barrymore was born to one of the most famous stage families in American history.  Maurice and Georgia Barrymore welcomed John into the world on either February 14 or February 15, 1882.  John and his two siblings, Lionel and Ethel, would be some of the most famous stage and screen stars of any era.

Tragically, John Barrymore drank heavily, which shortened his life and left him playing character roles on film in his later years.  W.C. Fields was one of Barrymore’s closest friends and drinking buddies.  John Barrymore died at only 60 years of age from pneumonia and cirrhosis of the liver due to his heavy drinking.

John Howard would play Bulldog Drummond six more times.  His start with series is a good one.  The film lasts about 64 minutes.  Let me know what you think of the film.

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