Bulldog Drummond in Africa

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.

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

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.

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.

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.