Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: 1920s Version Starring John Barrymore

There had already been quite a few adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde before this one came into fruition. This 1920 version is the most popular of the silent era, mainly due to John Barrymore’s flexuous, mismated performance(s) as both Jekyll and Hyde. It was met with plaudits upon its release, so much so that an emulous, counterfeit cash-in was disjected the same year.

Any self-respecting genre buff will tell you that Barrymore’s Jekyll is the more desirable film. I won’t, for I haven’t seen the cheap alternative. Jekyll is probably the least stately silent film that I’ve seen. This may or may not have been a result of acquiring one of the sketchier reissues (damn public domain). Still, it’s a fiduciary conquest for low-key horror.

Do I really need to give a recap of the plot? Conscientious scientist Henry Jekyll glugs down an “evil potion” that turns him into the peccant Edward Hyde. The storyline is as straightforward as it gets, but it does leave a few questions unanswered. The pernicious Hyde is seen taking an antidote to transpose his genetic secession. If Hyde is so evil, then why does he willingly turn himself back into Jekyll? 

Also, does Jekyll have any recollection of the foul deeds he commits as his caliginous confrere, or is it like waking up with an alkaline hangover and not remembering anything you did the night before? The film never addresses these issues. It might seem like a pettifogging pickle (huh?), but it’s too simple a narrative to lade with continuity errors. Nonetheless, this is a timeless tale that illustrates the dangers of yielding to decadence. There’s a Hyde in all of us, but one wouldn’t want to indulge him.