Bulldog Drummond in Africa

British adventurer John Howard (as Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond) is all set to marry girlfriend Heather Angel (as Phyllis Clavering). After several unexpected wedding postponements, Drummond isn't taking any chances. He is sequestered himself in his mansion. So that he can't go out and stumble into some crime scene, Drummond has surrendered his trousers and money to pal Reginald Denny (as Algernon "Algy" Longworth). Manservant E.E. Clive (as Tenny) is also left in his underwear and shirt-tails. Meanwhile, a mystery connected to Africa develops. Drummond's old friend and colleague H.B. Warner (as Colonel Nielson) is kidnapped. Of course, the Drummond wedding is canceled...

Drummond, Algy and Tenny take a flight to Africa. Phyllis is a stowaway...

Drummond and his supporting cast are really on the road to Morocco, which somehow doesn't seem like the Africa promised in the title. However, Morocco is on the continent. And, there are lions hanging around. For this entry in the series, John Barrymore has been replaced in the role of Scotland Yard investigator Nielson. Another veteran actor with a stellar list of credits, Mr. Warner was a good choice to fill Mr. Barrymore's shoes. Less obviously, Ms. Angel returns to play Phyllis, for the duration. J. Carrol Naish (as Richard Lane) has fun in the bearded villain's role. As his henchmen receiving generous on-screen time, good-looking young Anthony Quinn makes a striking impression.

***** Bulldog Drummond in Africa (1938-08-05) Louis King ~ John Howard, H.B. Warner, J. Carrol Naish, Reginald Denny

Public Media Inc. has released a neat two film set of Bulldog Drummond films on one tape. The other film paired with "Bulldog Drummond in Africa" is "Arrest Bulldog Drummond." If you like The Thin Man series, you may like this as well. If you absolutely love The Thin Man series, you'll probably be disappointed with Bulldog Drummond. John Howard plays "Bulldog," which is something of a misnomer as played here because he's rather quiet, handsome & shy, not what one would expect from a "bulldog." Heather Angel matches well with Howard as his Fiancee in Perpetuity. The movies have charm, wit, a bit of mystery, & solid acting. If you're not expecting William Powell & Myrna Loy, you should be pleased. Anthony Quinn fans note: a very young Quinn has a neat little part in "...Africa." George Zucco fans note: he has a good part in "Arrest...." I rate "Bulldog Drummond in Africa" 7/10, & I rate "Arrest Bulldog Drummond" 6/10.

Bulldog Drummond In Africa finds John Howard once again postponing his plans to marry Heather Angel whose been left at the altar more times than Adelaide in Guys And Dolls. It's her fault really at this point because she's the one that has discovered that Drummond's good friend from Scotland Yard H.B. Warner has been kidnapped and spirited to Morocco.

Angel stows away on Howard's plane along with his two friends Reginald Denny and E.E. Clive. Warner has been kidnapped by international spy and man of mystery J. Carrol Naish and wants Warner to give him the secret of something called a disintegrater ray. Sounds like lasers way before they were perfected.

Of course Howard affects a rescue lest Warner's character Colonel Nielsen not be around for the next film. As usual Reginald Denny provides the bumbling comic relief. I swear Drummond keeps Algy around strictly for laughs the way the Cisco Kid used to have Pancho along. The guy who is really useful is E.E. Clive who's like a Boy Scout in that he's always prepared.

Anthony Quinn has a small part as one of Naish's henchmen and I noticed in the credits that Anne Bauchens did the editing. Annie B was a most trusted employee of the Cecil B. DeMille group, in fact C.B. had it in his contract that only she was allowed to edit his films. I'm wondering if she was there to take care of Quinn in the rushes because Quinn at the time was DeMille's son-in-law.

Bulldog Drummond In Africa is a pleasant enough B film from the Paramount lot.

Here we go again, but it isn't 'Africa', it's just Morocco. However, I guess they thought 'Africa' sounded more glamorous for a title. This is a superior entry into the Bulldog Drummond series, and is the thirteenth Drummond film to be made. John Howard is a terrific Drummond, compares well with Ronald Colman, and is superior to Ray Milland and Walter Pidgeon. (I do hate to say anything against Walter Pidgeon, but I am only referring to the role of Drummond, whom he played on one occasion, the 21st Drummond film, 'Calling Bulldog Drummond' in 1951.) E. E. Clive is once again the butler, and what a time he has! (As do we, just watching him.) Heather Angel is the gal this time, due to be married to Drummond of course the next morning, but then we knew that would never be allowed, didn't we? She is a great kisser, doubtless smells of heather, has a fresh face and one wants her around. And she won't leave her man alone, but insists on sharing his danger. That's a good sport, then! Nothing like a love interest who contributes to the action plot as well! J. Carroll Naish is a particularly sinister baddie in this film, with his ultra-calm demeanour and suave, reassuring ways. He out-Sanders George Sanders sometimes and out-Conways Tom Conway. A pity, as a villain, he is not allowed to get a girl after all that sophisticated behaviour and under-playing of his dialogue to insidious effect. Yes, this is a good one. And the escape from the exploding plane is worthy of Batman.

On the eve of his wedding Captain Hugh Drummond is off to Morocco when Scotland Yard's Colonel J. A. Nielson is kidnapped by international criminal Richard Lane( played by J. Carroll Naish). With his fiancée Phyllis Clavering, friend 'Algy' Longworth and his trusty valet 'Tenny' Tennyson, Bulldog flies his own plane 1200 miles only to find the local British Consul ordering him home without delay. Drummond isn't an easy man to get rid of however and they soon mount their rescue plan.

Highly enjoyable Drummond entry. The plot is smooth, the atmosphere and the action are effective. The finale where a lion is well fed is thrilling. Great fun. Watch out for young Anthony Quinn as a bad guy.