WATCH NOW
Ray Milland has always taken on darker roles at least from the many movies I have seen him in. I don’t remember the first movie of his I watched, but I do recall that it was always accompanied by a villainous character. I am trying to recall a movie where he was not the protagonist.
This was the case with ‘A Crooked Romance,’ where it brought me some joy to see him in so many roles as a young actor that he could actually partake in. In my opinion, it is sickening to watch a movie only for the sake of it. And from how Ray Milland acts, it seems like he is enjoying every second of it as well. And indeed, he looks young and eager.
So, for the best part of the film it begins with a suspenseful foggy sequence where Bulldog Drummond or Captain Hugh “Bulldog” Drummond as I like to say, is landing his aeroplane. The first part of the scene is accompanied by fear from the onlookers due to his reputation, however, truthfully, snow, rain, and sleet make and fog make him the best in the business. This is further made evident by the flashes of light illuminating his face.
Here is another thing that I want to point out It is dark. It is so dark that I would have thought it to be a film noir. Rather, it is more of a comedic screwball thriller noir.
Following this introduction, we see Bulldog Drummond behind the wheel, making his way home one evening. Out of nowhere, a young girl leaps in front of his vehicle. Although he does not hit her, she tumbles over. The first thing that captured my attention was the beginning scene of Kiss Me Deadly. So there is that.
But there is a gunshot, so for now, Drummond leaves the woman. He goes to explore the site. He parks his vehicle in a wooded area, so I supposed he goes into the forest. While he is trying to understand the situation, he comes across a body. Well, actually two bodies because there is another shot. Additionally, another body is drowning in the mud. Meanwhile, the woman who fell off the road? She gets up and is now driving away in his vehicle. Who is she exactly? This raises the question: why is she taking his car? What a mystery!
Now look – when Drummond is attempting to “borrow” a ride, another car cruises past. Guess who we see in the back seat? Our Lady of the Stolen Car. She is surrounded by some men that look very serious, and her facial expression is a little unclear.
Bulldog, who is meant to be on holiday, develop an unexplained interest in this person. After a little bit of sleuthing and with the assistance of his trusty servant Algy Longworth, he is able to find her at Greystone Manor. With a name like that one, there is some gothic trickery going on.
Well, I don’t want to spoil anything too much because one might wish to watch the picture. I found it quite interesting with all the things it had to offer.
It sometimes feels as if Ray Milland takes a tortured glee while delivering some of his lines in this film. Perhaps that is a result of the film being an adaptation of stage play; thus, the script is imbued with “play dialogue.” But Milland executes them so exuberantly that one imagines the director off-camera screaming Man! “Give it to me over the top!!” Assume there’s a long way to go before a road sign that says acting!! (imagine Jon Lovitz).
Still, when compared to the B picture of the late 30s and some of the B pictures I have experienced the negative side of here, Milland’s acting is quite nuanced. From the juxtaposition of scenes where Milland relishes the most stylized of lines, his other’s acting seems achingly self-assured. There is welling romance (not surprising since Bulldog’s ready for “an adventure and romance”). As a scene in which faces are spotlit to create a feeling of intimacy, reveals.
I gotta say, I really appreciated the movie. It’s rather refreshing to watch Milland perform slightly younger than a grumpy old man role.
I believe if you enjoyed the Thin Man movies, then this movie will definitely impress you. This one is labeled by Wikipedia as a mystery thriller, but because it is so deep, I would call it a dark noir crime thriller.
To watch more movies like Bulldog Drummond Escapes (1937) visit 123Movies.
Also Watch for more movies like:
