Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941) MGM
Directed by Victor Fleming
Screenplay by John Lee Mahin based on the Novella by Robert Louis Stevenson
CAST: Spencer Tracy (Dr. Harry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde), Ingrid Bergman (Ivy Peterson), Lana Turner (Beatrix Emery), Donald Crisp (Sir Charles Emery), Ian Hunter (Dr. John Lanyon).
1hr 53min / Not Rated
Not the best known version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but certainly one of the most interesting due mainly to the stars; Victor Fleming’s production of Stevenson’s tale about science gone wrong and the ensuing madness has a dream cast headed up by Spencer Tracy who is supported by Lana Turner and Ingrid Bergman. Although she was the quintessential Sweater Girl, Lana Turner was much more than just another pretty face. One only need to see her paced performance in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to realize that she was also a gifted actress.
The roles were originally cast in reverse, but Ingrid Bergman knew better and suggested the role reversal with great success. Not only did Bergman’s performance suit the part of Ivy, but Turner was the ultimate beauty in a doomed relationship. It is perplexing to realize that at the time of its release, the film floundered at the box office. In addition, Ingrid Bergman felt that she was miscast even after making the switch from Beatrice to Ivy, and on viewing the film, Spencer Tracy thought his career was over.
Lana Turner & Spencer Tracy in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941), Miriam Hopkins & Fredrick March in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931).
Spencer Tracy may have been carrying the load of the critical attacks and it is even rumored that while visiting the set of the film, W. Somerset Maugham snidely commented, “Which one is he now, Jekyll or Hyde?” The New York Times review was merciless, calling Tracy’s Performance, “…more ludicrous than dreadful.” It is all the more a conundrum due to the simple fact that the performances are what carry this version and make it viewable today.
It should be said that the film is less based on Stevenson’s novel than on the script of the 1931 production that starred Fredrick March, Miriam Hopkins (in Ingrid Bergman’s role), and Ros Hobart (in Lana Turner’s role). Directed by Rouben Mamoulian and unrestrained by the Hayes Code, the earlier version is more of a horror film with a stronger sexual emphasis. Changes had to be made in the 1941 version due to the Hayes Office. Fleming’s film was more of a phycological drama than a horror film, and the sexuality had to be muted to avoid issues with the Code.
Frederick March was in much more make-up and his interpretation more animalistic than Tracy’s, which relied heavily on his acting and light make-up only. Some have criticized this portrayal as over the top, but it is subtlety modulated, and his personality change is severe and believable in both roles. When Hyde grins in the face of his victim’s discomfort, it is unsettling as we feel we can imagine his sinister thoughts. We know we are seeing evil without motivation; it is evil for its own sake. When he trips the waiter after tipping him, our chagrin is genuine.
Spencer Tracy & Lana Turner in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)
Turner as Jekyll’s fiancé, Beatrix is both beautiful and demure in a role that she underplays with great success. Bergman is Ivy, a bartender in a music hall who meets Dr. Jekyll by way of being rescued as she is attacked on her walk home from the music hall. Presumably dickering over cost with a prospective john (but that is only what you might imagine due to the Hayes Code having caused the roll to be changed from prostitute to barmaid). Dr. Jekyll and his colleague, Dr. John Lanyon (Ian Hunter) come to her defense and although she’s not hurt, she pretends injury, and the good doctor gallantly accompanies her to her room. She flirts with him as he puts her to bed. Of course, he knows that she is not really hurt at all, but too much of a gentleman to mention it. A good man, he is really trying to resist her wiles (Bergman is wonderful in the role) and his friend knocks just in time to save the him from himself.
Spencer Tracy & Ingrid Bergman in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)
He is saved from his evil side, but the memory will lurk in the darkness of his soul until his formula brings it to life in the mind of Mr. Hyde. Hyde quickly finds her and begins a relationship of mental terror and torment. Meanwhile, his fiancé is on a short vacation with her father, who does not approve of Dr. Jekyll’s research. Jekyll becomes more and more involved as Hyde in the torment of Ivy than with his research. He even neglects writing to his fiancé as his good side also become obsessed. Suspension of disbelief is strained as Ivy does not recognize Jekyll in the form of Hyde. Or does she suspect it on some level? Whatever the explanation, the cast in this film is formidable, and Lana Turner as Ivy is caught in a triangle that is doomed to the horror of the evil unleashed by science and nurtured by temptation.
Spencer Tracy & Ingrid Bergman in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)
Facts, Rumors & Hearsay
Spencer Tracy arrived at Clark Gable and Carole Lombard’s second wedding anniversary party wearing his make up as Mr Hyde.
Spencer Tracy wanted a realistic approach to the story. He envisioned Dr. Jekyll committing heinous deeds in a part of the city where he was not known, perhaps drunk or high on drugs. He was let down by the producers, who bought the screenplay for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), and insisted on remaking that version. Tracy may have wished to have the story closer to the source: Stevenson’s novella mentions no female love interest for either Jekyll or Hyde.
Director Victor Fleming is said to have slapped both Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner in scenes where tears were required, and with Turner even resorted to arm twisting!
The original pronunciation of the name Jekyll is jee-kle. In this movie it is pronounced jeh-kle which stuck as the popular pronunciation of the doctor’s name.
Other Films Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s Gothic Novella
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) Silent
Directed by John S. Robertson
Screenplay by Clara S. Beranger based on Novella by Robert Louis Stevenson
CAST: John Barrymore, Martha Mansfield, Nita Naldi, and Brndon Hurst
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1960) AKA The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll
Directed by Terence Fisher
Screenplay by Wolf Mankowitz
CAST: Paul Massie, Dawn Addams, and Christopher Lee
Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971)
Directed by Roy Ward Baker
Screenplay by Brian Clemens based on Novella by Robert Louis Stevenson
CAST: Ralph Bates, Martine Beswick, and Gerald Sim
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1973) TV Movie
Directed by David Winters
Screenplay by Sherman Yellen based on Novella by Robert Louis Stevenson
CAST: Kirk Douglas, Susan George, Stanley Holloway, Donald Pleasence, and Michael Redgrave
Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde (1995)
Directed by David Price
Story by David Price, Screenplay by Tim John & Oliver Bucher and William Davies & William Osborne suggested by the Novella by Robert Louis Stevenson
CAST: Sean Young, Tim Daly, Lysette Anthony, Harvey Fierstein, and Thea Vidale
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2003)
Directed by Maurice Phillips
Screenplay by Martyn Hesfor based on Novella by Robert Louis Stevenson
CAST: John Hannah, David Warner, and Gerard Horan
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