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6.3/10
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In Victorian London the esteemed Dr. Pyckle uses himself as a guinea pig when he experiments with a new drug that changes him into a compulsive prankster.In Victorian London the esteemed Dr. Pyckle uses himself as a guinea pig when he experiments with a new drug that changes him into a compulsive prankster.In Victorian London the esteemed Dr. Pyckle uses himself as a guinea pig when he experiments with a new drug that changes him into a compulsive prankster.
The Wonder Dog Pal
- The Dog
- (as Pete the Pup)
Syd Crossley
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Dot Farley
- Townswoman
- (uncredited)
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As an avid Laurel and Hardy fan, I have always been somewhat disappointed in the early solo comedies of both Stan and Ollie. They are just too much a throwback to the early films of Sennett and co., one physical gag heaped upon another with no attempt to vary the frenetic pacing or establish character. So it was with unexpected delight that I watched Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pryde on the new Kino collection of Stan Laurel solo shorts. Once we dispense with the first ten minutes of generally desultory humor as he mixes his concoction, things get really funny. Laurel's transformation into the naughty Mr. Hyde is priceless. Hopped up (literally) on his potion, he gleefully runs amok, stealing ice cream from children, scaring women with popping paper bags, etc. He isn't the truly malevolent Hyde of Stevenson's story, but merely an unrepentant prankster
a naughty little boy. Later, when his dog laps up some of the spilled potion and starts nipping at Stan's backside while sporting the same fright wig as Mr. Hyde
well, you have to see it to truly appreciate it.
10Tinlizzy
Stan Laurel's character in his early solo films was as different as could be from the dimbulb he played in the Laurel and Hardy team efforts a few years later. DR. PICKLE is one of the genre parodies he was making in the mid Twenties with merciless sendups of 'romance' and 'dramatic acting' (if you can, see MUD AND SAND with his devastating parody of Valentino).
DR. PICKLE AND MR. PRYDE is the Holy Grail of Laurel films; it was lost for decades, then a French print turned up in somewhat unsatisfactory video versions. Now it has been beautifully restored with the original titles, which add a great deal of amusement to Laurel's portrayal of Pickle (a veddy, veddy British scientist). But it is his take on John Barrymore's Mr. Hyde that makes this film a must-have for any comedy buff: Laurel is not only hilarious, he is actually SCARY as he 'menaces' the town while capering around with clawed hands outstretched...
This film is on an excellent new DVD of Laurel's work. I just wish they had also included MUD AND SAND...but this one is worth the price of the double disc set, all by itself.
DR. PICKLE AND MR. PRYDE is the Holy Grail of Laurel films; it was lost for decades, then a French print turned up in somewhat unsatisfactory video versions. Now it has been beautifully restored with the original titles, which add a great deal of amusement to Laurel's portrayal of Pickle (a veddy, veddy British scientist). But it is his take on John Barrymore's Mr. Hyde that makes this film a must-have for any comedy buff: Laurel is not only hilarious, he is actually SCARY as he 'menaces' the town while capering around with clawed hands outstretched...
This film is on an excellent new DVD of Laurel's work. I just wish they had also included MUD AND SAND...but this one is worth the price of the double disc set, all by itself.
Dr. Pyckle is a fine example of Stan Laurel's comedy prior to his lifelong teaming with Oliver Hardy. It demonstrates a comedic breadth and a range that was coming to the fore. It seems that it took Stan a bit longer to shed vaudeville's trappings. He had to learn to play for the camera and not for the 'house'. His comic timing and his invention in "Dr. Pyckle" (1925) are surpassed only by his antics in "The Sleuth" (also 1925). The timing of his sight gags takes on a cartoon-ish quality, but they work very well, and are enough to bring the viewer to convulsive laughter. This is--after all- comedy. And it is slapstick, though Laurel's ideas and gags are polished. It is clear that he is setting the stage for bigger and better expectations. It all comes about several years after these films, solidifying his place in comic history with the rotund Ollie. They dilly dally their way into the pages of cinema history. I strongly recommend viewing "Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pride" and "The Sleuth". They are very, very funny films.
This is an entertaining parody feature in itself, and it is also of interest as one of Stan Laurel's more substantial earlier roles. Although it would probably work all right as a spoof of the basic story, it is particularly designed as a parody of the John Barrymore version of "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde", so if you see or have seen that particular version, there are many more amusing details and parallels that you can spot.
Laurel's character, like the original Dr. Jekyll, has an alter ego, but here it is merely a mischievous one. It's funny to see the light-hearted parallels to the much more serious scenes in the original story, and while the movie is rather unrefined overall, most of it is amusing.
Laurel's approach to the role reflects not so much his own style as a deliberate exaggeration of Barrymore's vigorous performance. Since Laurel also gets to play both the upright doctor and the disreputable alter ego, the role gives him quite a bit to work with. Laurel did a solid job in this kind of parody feature, and it's interesting to watch him perform with an approach that's different from the style that's so familiar from all the great Laurel & Hardy features.
Laurel's character, like the original Dr. Jekyll, has an alter ego, but here it is merely a mischievous one. It's funny to see the light-hearted parallels to the much more serious scenes in the original story, and while the movie is rather unrefined overall, most of it is amusing.
Laurel's approach to the role reflects not so much his own style as a deliberate exaggeration of Barrymore's vigorous performance. Since Laurel also gets to play both the upright doctor and the disreputable alter ego, the role gives him quite a bit to work with. Laurel did a solid job in this kind of parody feature, and it's interesting to watch him perform with an approach that's different from the style that's so familiar from all the great Laurel & Hardy features.
It is really an amazing parody of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Stan Laurel at his best plays the goofy professor Dr. Pyckle who terns to Mr. Pryde! Mr. Pryde “terrorizes” the society by doing all kinds of evil deeds, like stealing Ice Cream from little kids and pulling lots of other pranks! The world is not safe from Mr. Prydes evil mischiefs. People will try to put an end to his games and bring back piece to the society. Can he really be stopped though? Or the world will never be a safe place again? Stan Laurel gives a great performance in this silent piece of comic art. Although it is only 20 min, it is enough for Stan Laurel to put Jekyll and Hyde in a new comic perspective. All this years I never had the chance to see Laurel alone. I only knew him from the Laurel and Hardy movies. I am really glad that I got the chance to see him perform alone and I must say I could't stop laughing. So if you are a fan and you manage to get your hands on this movie, by all means don’t be reluctant and give it a shot. You might be in for a surprise by the scary Dr. Pyckle!
Did you know
- TriviaThe elongated fingers on Mr. Pryde (when he first transforms), are a clear homage to John Barrymore's famous 1920 version of Hyde. Ironically, the makeup and prosthetics are noticeably better in this spoof than they were in the original, possibly because five years had passed, giving special effects makeup time to progress.
- GoofsAt one point Mr. Pryde bumps into a lamppost which sways noticeably.
- Quotes
Intertitle: [Introducing Dr. Pyckle's female assistant] A Dainty English Miss - Don't Blame England - We All Miss Occasionally...
- ConnectionsEdited into Jekyll & Canada (2009)
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
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- Also known as
- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Spoof
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- Runtime21 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pryde (1925) officially released in Canada in English?
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