I just watched this one the other night again. I don't know how the entirety of "Mystery of Edwin Drood" got past the censors and the production code that was only a year old at the time. John Jasper (Claude Rains) is a choirmaster who frequents an opium den because he cannot deal with what he feels is the hypocrisy and ennui of church life. He even talks about how he envies the monks of old because at least they got to carve figures of demons as church decorations to release their dark side. The only spot of brightness in Jasper's life is Rosa Bud - folks I didn't come up with this name - who has been pledged to Jasper's nephew (David Manners as Edwin Drood) since the two were children. Yet Jasper still covets her as she becomes a young woman. Edwin and Rosa have always been friends, but seem to be approaching this marriage with all of the enthusiasm of somebody who is facing a root canal.
Meanwhile, Neville and Helena Landless, a brother and sister of mixed racial heritage from Ceylon, come to town. With Nevile and Rosa it is almost love at first sight, but Neville realizes she is spoken for. Rosa and Edwin break their engagement, based on the fact that they eventually realize that their marriage was their parents' dreams, not their own. Earlier, Jasper has announced his love to Rosa in a very creepy way, and she is repulsed by his stalking. Jasper assumes that it is Edwin that is standing in his way, and that night, Christmas Eve, Edwin Drood disappears before anybody can be told of his broken engagement. What happened to Edwin Drood? That is the mystery. Watch and find out.
This thing is just a huge code buster all around - that is part of its allure. Although the wrongdoers are punished in the end, the biracial love angle and the fact that there could be a hypocrite in a position of authority in the church violates the production code completely. There is also that great Universal Gothic atmosphere plus the acting is top notch. I highly recommend it.
Meanwhile, Neville and Helena Landless, a brother and sister of mixed racial heritage from Ceylon, come to town. With Nevile and Rosa it is almost love at first sight, but Neville realizes she is spoken for. Rosa and Edwin break their engagement, based on the fact that they eventually realize that their marriage was their parents' dreams, not their own. Earlier, Jasper has announced his love to Rosa in a very creepy way, and she is repulsed by his stalking. Jasper assumes that it is Edwin that is standing in his way, and that night, Christmas Eve, Edwin Drood disappears before anybody can be told of his broken engagement. What happened to Edwin Drood? That is the mystery. Watch and find out.
This thing is just a huge code buster all around - that is part of its allure. Although the wrongdoers are punished in the end, the biracial love angle and the fact that there could be a hypocrite in a position of authority in the church violates the production code completely. There is also that great Universal Gothic atmosphere plus the acting is top notch. I highly recommend it.