Review of Bulldog Drummond Comes Back

"Bulldog Drummond Comes Back" lasts one hour, but feels more like three. The problems begin with the leading man, John Howard, who takes over the role of Bulldog Drummond; he is the least charismatic of all the Drummonds up to that point in the series (1937). The problems continue with the plot, or rather the lack of plot; as the characters themselves comment, it's mostly just a lot of pointless running round. John Barrymore receives top billing, and a lot of screen time, as disguise-happy Colonel Neilson, but he's not very funny; neither is Reginald Denny as Algy; the only actor who scores comedically is E.E.Clive, as the loyal butler. Louise Campbell, who replaces Heather Angel as Phyllis, doesn't have the same spark, but is absolutely gorgeous nonetheless. The ending, involving lethal gas AND a bomb, is fairly suspenseful, but overall the film is a dud. ** out of 4.