Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920)
*** (out of 4)
Third version of this classic tale from 1920 isn't nearly as known as the Barrymore version nor is it sought after like the lost Murnau version. In this version Sheldon Lewis plays Dr. Jekyll who drinks a potion that turns him into the murderous Mr. Hyde. This is certainly a lot better than the reputation would have you believe and it could stand next to the Barrymore version and I'd argue that it's one of the better versions all around if you accept it as a cult item that tells the story so unlike any other version from the silent era. The film runs a very fast paced 47-minutes and best of all is that the majority of this running time deals with the murderous Jekyll. The violence is a lot stronger here than in any of the silent versions I've seen and the ending is nicely done until we get something else tacked on. Lewis is good, if over the top, as Jekyll but the transformation scenes are rather weak. Certainly worth searching for.
