DAUGHTER
OF DR. JEKYLL (1957)Director: Edward G. Ulmer
All Day/Image Entertainment
DAUGHTER
OF DR. JEKYLL (1957)I still can't believe that I actually own this movie on DVD! This is a film with quite a history for me--it appeared on VHS in 1985 from the now defunct KEY VIDEO and then was quickly discontinued. I never bought a copy fifteen years ago and ever since then I have been frustrated in my personal quest to locate a used tape in acceptable condition.
In the last couple of years, I drove all over Long Island with the Yellow Pages as my guide to drop in on tiny video stores that might have DAUGHTER OF DR. JEKYLL on their rental shelves. I figured that mainstream customers probably seldom rented this movie, and that the proprietors most likely would let their copies go for a song. Well, out of dozens of mom-and-pop shops, I only located DAUGHTER about three times; two of these owners didn't want to sell it, and I found out why the third let his go for $4 when I played it at home and discovered a two-inch wide line running through the entire feature!
I think that all movie collectors have that one elusive film that they can't seem to locate, at least not in the pristine quality they desire. For me, DAUGHTER OF DR. JEKYLL has been a thorn in my side. But thanks to the efforts of All Day and Image, the thorn has finally been yanked! My passion for obtaining this film doesn't mean that I think it's a particular "good" movie...it's not, really...but it occupies a place in my heart from the old days when I grew up with it on television. Also, I make it a rule not to accept any duped tape copy in my library when a superior source exists somewhere.
Gloria Talbott (I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE, THE CYCLOPS) has the title role, but she doesn't know it until her character visits her late father's estate on her 21st birthday to announce her engagement to John Agar. Once there, her guardian (Arthur Shields) scares her nearly to death by telling her that she is the offspring of the infamous Jekyll/Hyde "werewolf"(!). The local townspeople are none too happy about her visit, and soon Miss Jekyll has horrible nightmares and finds herself stalking villagers at night and waking up with muddy shoes and a bloody nightgown in the morning. The rest of the story is better kept quiet in case you want to see it, but let's just say that the plot is not a new one.
For me, the film succeeds with eerie music and gloomy atmosphere, particularly in the dream sequences. It's much better than Columbia's boring SON OF DR. JEKYLL (1951) in that we actually get to see a monster running around. By the way, Columbia never even released SON on tape (not because it's dull but because they don't care). And isn't it strange and a bit sad that DAUGHTER OF DR. JEKYLL is the first DVD I'm reviewing on the subject? It's too bad that All Day and Image can't rescue the rights to the 1931 Fredric March classic or the 1941 Spencer Tracy remake… Warner Home Video still owns those, and will most likely hold them captive for many years to come.
As for this new DVD release, I must begin by raving about how much I adore the packaging! It was an eye-poppingly brilliant choice to present the original one-sheet poster for the cover, and it's a dramatic improvement over the mundane black & white photo used for the 1985 VHS box.
The quality on this DVD is breathtakingly clean and sharp, at least during the many indoor scenes. It's too bad that the outdoor shots at night often tend toward murkiness, with a scratch here and there. But it was a consolation to me that when I looked at an old tape copy, I witnessed the same thing. So, the negative most likely is imperfect in these shots.
In fact, the transfer appears to be identical to the old Key Video, except that this picture is letterboxed at 1.85:1, giving the film a theatrical look. The sound is fair, and there's even an isolated music track for those of you inclined to listen to it. Indeed, there are more extras on this disc than the film probably merits: A theatrical trailer, a gallery of stills, posters, lobby cards, and interviews with star John Agar and the daughter of director Edgar G. Ulmer…Arianne Ulmer Cipes.
Arianne deserves special praise for this heartfelt project. DAUGHTER OF DR. JEKYLL is actually listed as Volume #3 of the "Edgar Ulmer Collection," and it was her desire to preserve her dad's work that truly is a blessing for fans worldwide. Can you imagine how fortunate we would be to have more conscientious people like her to approach the big studios and salvage movies that these power and money-hungry majors would otherwise ignore!? LISTEN UP, WARNER, COLUMBIA, MGM, PARAMOUNT, and UNIVERSAL!!! (Joe Lozowsky)