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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Play trailer Poster for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Released Dec 31, 1931 1h 37m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Testing his theory that in every man dwells a good and an evil force, the reserved Dr. Jekyll (Fredric March) develops a formula that separates the two, turning him into a violent ruffian named Mr. Hyde. Thinking he has found the answer to one of life's grandest mysteries, Dr. Jekyll soon realizes he is becoming addicted to his darker self as he unleashes his violent side on earthy dance hall girl Ivy (Miriam Hopkins) and fights Hyde to regain control of his body.
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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

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Critics Consensus

A classic. The definitive version of the Robert Louis Stevenson novella from 1931, with innovative special effects, atmospheric cinematography and deranged overacting.

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Critics Reviews

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SMH Staff Sydney Morning Herald One seeks in vain for an adequate development in this film of the powerful psychology which must remain the essential motive of such a fantasy as Stevenson created. A mere succession of incidents does not furnish this study. Oct 7, 2020 Full Review Age Staff The Age (Australia) The onlooker, instead of being filled with righteous horror and indignation, begins to find so much super invention and thoroughness irresistibly comic. Oct 7, 2020 Full Review TIME Staff TIME Magazine Fredric March, ably assisted by Miriam Hopkins and Rose Hobart, is magnificent as Hyde, and he gives Jekyll a stilted Victorian elegance which, being a little false, makes Hyde's existence seem more credible. Oct 7, 2020 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid In the lead role, Fredric March's transformation from Jekyll to Hyde is still startling and, frankly, terrifying. The superb makeup was certainly part of it, but March's skill was the finishing touch. Rated: 4/4 Oct 30, 2022 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A provocative pre-Code chiller. Rated: 3.5/4 Oct 30, 2022 Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row Mamoulian's pre-code film doesn't try to shy away from the more lurid elements of the story the way that Victor Fleming's remake does, and the result is something altogether more eerie and frightening. Rated: 3.5/4 Oct 26, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kalissa H One of the scarier horror movies of the time based on how cruel Hyde is to Ivy. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/09/25 Full Review Thomas S Brilliant and made even better by being shot before The Hays Code. Fredric March is literally a man possessed in this horror classic. The first and best version. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/25 Full Review Teddy B The definitive version, Paramount's stab at 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' primarily works well due to its moody cinematography stealing the show. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/31/24 Full Review Joel H I’m of two minds when it comes to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. On one hand, I was really impressed by the performance of Fredric March as the protagonist and antagonist. In fact, I looked up the cast on IMDb just to make sure it was the same actor playing both parts. Also, this film has some highly dramatic moments and some semi-shocking parts from a Pre-Code Hollywood era. On the other hand, Mr. Hyde’s look is a little goofy, and the transformation scenes, while impressive for the time, seem a little hokey now. It wasn’t as scary as I hoped it would be, but Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a well-made movie. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/22/24 Full Review Hadrian M An absolute classic. The way they show sexual abuse is not to exploit it but to show the full horror of it happening. Very brave for a 1930s movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/22/24 Full Review Alec B Its unfortunate that the mediocre Spencer Tracy remake eclipsed this masterpiece. Beyond the great performances of March and Hopkins (who convincingly plays fear in a way that was ahead of its time) its filled with POV shots, split screens, and astonishingly convincing effects work. Also it is an immensely horny movie, even for the pre-code era. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/28/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Rouben Mamoulian

Director

Fredric March

Dr. Henry Jekyll

Miriam Hopkins

Ivy Pearson

Rose Hobart

Muriel Carew

Holmes Herbert

Dr. Lanyon

Halliwell Hobbes

Brig. Gen. Sir Danvers Carew

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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

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Movie Info

Synopsis Testing his theory that in every man dwells a good and an evil force, the reserved Dr. Jekyll (Fredric March) develops a formula that separates the two, turning him into a violent ruffian named Mr. Hyde. Thinking he has found the answer to one of life's grandest mysteries, Dr. Jekyll soon realizes he is becoming addicted to his darker self as he unleashes his violent side on earthy dance hall girl Ivy (Miriam Hopkins) and fights Hyde to regain control of his body.
Director
Rouben Mamoulian
Producer
Rouben Mamoulian
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 31, 1931, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 18, 2010
Runtime
1h 37m
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