Bulldog Drummond in Africa

With a story that has a couple of interesting turns, rather effective atmosphere, and a good cast, "Bulldog Drummond in Africa" is one of the most entertaining of the John Howard series of 'Bulldog' features. To the usual good action and likable main characters, it adds some interesting settings that work well given the limited budget.

The story opens with some light comedy about the ongoing obstacles to Drummond and Phyillis's wedding plans, and then they are plunged into another adventure when Phyllis herself witnesses Colonel Neilson being kidnapped. The story shifts to Morocco for the rest of the action, where the story takes some interesting turns, with the usual snappy pace. Even though it shows signs of having been filmed on a shoestring, the climactic confrontation with the lions creates some suspense.

The cast has Howard, Reginald Denny, and E.E. Clive from the previous features, and they are joined by Heather Angel (returning to the role she had played in an earlier Drummond feature with Ray Milland), who is engaging and energetic as Phyllis, plus H.B. Warner as Neilson. This is the feature in which Warner took over from John Barrymore, who was always so enjoyable in the part, but Warner works well enough in his own right in this feature. His confrontations with the villains give him some decent material to work with.

The main characters are given help from the supporting cast, with J. Carrol Naish doing a solid job as the traitorous Lane, and a young-looking Anthony Quinn making very good use of his opportunities. Strictly as light entertainment, it's an enjoyable combination.

Bulldog Drummond in Africa is a 1938 entry into the series, with John Howard again as Hugh Drummond, Heather Angel as Phyllis, E.E. Clive as Tenney, Reginald Denny as Angy, and instead of Barrymore, we have H.B. Warner, the first Demille Christ, as the Colonel.

Hugh again is trying to marry Phyllis. This time they've decided that Hugh will stay in the house and not answer the phone until it is time to leave; this way, he can avoid becoming involved in any case.

When Phyllis arrives at the Colonel's house to pick him up, she meets a man who says he is the new tenant, which seems strange to her. She sees the Colonel's briefcase, though she is told he isn't there, but has gone to Africa. She parks in a hidden spot and sees men carrying out the Colonel.

So Hugh is on another case.

Fast-moving and quite good, the men who have taken over the Colonel's house are trying to locate some top secret government process - these things are real McGuffins, just an excuse for the story. The Colonel won't give them any information. They then take him to Africa.

Actually they are in Morocco.

Loved seeing the old plane. Angy is really out of it this time, and Drummond is his usual dapper, mostly relaxed self.

Fun episodes. I really like this cast but of course would have loved to see Barrymore again. He made a much more vital, worse tempered Colonel.

Anthony Quinn plays a thug.

There is a lot of funny stuff, from two men being locked in a room without any pants, so that Drummond won't get involved and miss his wedding, to them cutting the phone cord and dancing a highland fling in a home-made kilt. As it turns out, the one who wanted the wedding to go one is the one responsible for getting them into another adventure. As usual, it's a secret that could turn the face of the war. The one who knows the most is kidnapped and may be fed to the lions that the villain has in his courtyard if he doesn't reveal the secret code. There is a long standoff. Meanwhile, Drummond and the gang have arrived without proper papers to stay in Morocco. They become targets of the people they are pursuing and nearly get blown out of the sky. There are a whole series of wonderful things between Drummond and Tenny. A very young Anthony Quinn makes an appearance as a cold blooded assistant to the bad guys. This one is much more watchable than some of the others and moves to a nice boil.

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.

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.