Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1912 film)
Encyclopedia
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a 1912
horror film
based on both Robert Louis Stevenson
's novella The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
(1886) and on the play version (1887) of Thomas Russell Sullivan. Directed by Lucius Henderson, the film stars actor (later noted film director) James Cruze
as the dual role of Jekyll/Hyde.
's white-haired Dr. Jekyll has secretly locked himself in his laboratory administering himself with a phial of formula. He slumps into his chair with his head on his chest. Slowly, as the drug takes effect, a dark-haired, taloned beast now appears in the chair. After repeated use, Jekyll's evil alter ego emerges at will, causing Jekyll to murder his sweetheart's father. The evil personality scuttles back to the laboratory only to discover that the antidote is finished and that he will be as Mr. Hyde forever. A burly policeman breaks down Jekyll's door to find that the kindly doctor is dead after taking poison.
. In a 1963 interview, Harry Benham
revealed that while Cruze played both Jekyll and Hyde, he and Cruze shared the role of Hyde, with Benham appearing as Hyde in some scenes.
1912 in film
The year 1912 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Mack Sennett, who had previously worked as an actor and comedy director with D. W. Griffith, formed a new company with New York City entrepreneur Adam Kessel called Keystone Studios...
horror film
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
based on both Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
's novella The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is the original title of a novella written by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson that was first published in 1886. The original pronunciation of Jekyll was "Jeekul" which was the pronunciation used in Stevenson's native Scotland...
(1886) and on the play version (1887) of Thomas Russell Sullivan. Directed by Lucius Henderson, the film stars actor (later noted film director) James Cruze
James Cruze
James Cruze was a silent film actor and film director.-Life:Cruze was born as Jens Vera Cruz Bosen. The Vera Cruz middle name came from the battle of Vera Cruz. He was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but did not practice the religion after his teenage years...
as the dual role of Jekyll/Hyde.
Plot summary
James CruzeJames Cruze
James Cruze was a silent film actor and film director.-Life:Cruze was born as Jens Vera Cruz Bosen. The Vera Cruz middle name came from the battle of Vera Cruz. He was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but did not practice the religion after his teenage years...
's white-haired Dr. Jekyll has secretly locked himself in his laboratory administering himself with a phial of formula. He slumps into his chair with his head on his chest. Slowly, as the drug takes effect, a dark-haired, taloned beast now appears in the chair. After repeated use, Jekyll's evil alter ego emerges at will, causing Jekyll to murder his sweetheart's father. The evil personality scuttles back to the laboratory only to discover that the antidote is finished and that he will be as Mr. Hyde forever. A burly policeman breaks down Jekyll's door to find that the kindly doctor is dead after taking poison.
Production
This film was produced by Thanhouser CompanyThanhouser Company
The Thanhouser Company was one of the first motion picture studios, founded in 1909 by Edwin Thanhouser.-See also:...
. In a 1963 interview, Harry Benham
Harry Benham
Harry Benham was an American silent film actor.-Background:Born in Valparaiso, Indiana, as a child Benham and his family moved to Chicago, where he was raised and attended school...
revealed that while Cruze played both Jekyll and Hyde, he and Cruze shared the role of Hyde, with Benham appearing as Hyde in some scenes.
Cast
- James CruzeJames CruzeJames Cruze was a silent film actor and film director.-Life:Cruze was born as Jens Vera Cruz Bosen. The Vera Cruz middle name came from the battle of Vera Cruz. He was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but did not practice the religion after his teenage years...
as Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde - Florence La BadieFlorence La BadieFlorence La Badie was an American actress in the early days of the silent film era. Though little known today, she was a major star between 1911 and 1917, her career was at its height and climbing when she died unexpectedly due to injuries sustained during an automobile accident.-Early life:While...
as Jekyll's sweetheart - Marie ElineMarie ElineMarie Eline was an American silent film child actress and sister of Grace Eline, who apparently turned 111 in 2009. Nicknamed The Thanhouser Kid she began acting for the Thanhouser Company in film aged 8 and starred in exactly 100 films between 1910 and 1914.-Filmography:* Uncle Tom's Cabin ......
as Little girl knocked down by Hyde - Jane Gail (Extra)
- Marguerite SnowMarguerite SnowMarguerite Snow was an American silent film actress. Her father was a comedian. She was educated in Denver, Colorado at the Loretta Heights Academy.-Silent Film Leading Lady:...
(Extra)