MovieChat Forums > Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) Discussion > A couple of transformation sequences unp...

A couple of transformation sequences unparalleled...

posted 19 years ago by arogers270
5 replies | jump to latest

For a movie made during the silent era, there are two unforgettable transformation scenes that I have never seen done more perfectly!

The first is when Dr. Jekyll was talking to Millicent's father and he transformed into Mr. Hyde. If you watch it, where John went through the transformation, it truly seems it happened. Every part of his body matches PEFECTLY during the transformation. I've stopped my DVD player over ten times looking for an arm, hand, shoulder, head to be out of place but I could not see it. Although the film did become a little darker during the transformation, it was absolutely exquisite!

The second scene where John is lying in bed and the "evil" deamon (portrayed as the spider-like creature) encompasses him, once again, he transforms. I also watched and rewound my DVD numerous times but I can't tell how the makeup was put on for the transformation. Once again, no part of his body moved during the transfomation.

I'm a avid viewer of horror films and I've never seen a transformation like that before in my life! It was beautiful! It was genuine! It was perfect!!!

How did Hollywood forget how to do transformations of characters like that without the use of computers?

Lon Chaney Jr., as the Werewolf, and Christopher Lee, as Dracula, were never transformed as well, although I love all of their movies.

This is truly classic cinema!!!

[–] donrogers42 18 years ago

I haven't seen this version (yet), but I think I can answer your question. I think the transformation was done by applying special red or green makeup, and then shooting the film through a red or green filter. Red makeup wouldn't show up on the film, when shooting through a red filter. Then all the cinematographer has to do is switch the filter to the other color, and voila! Dr. Jekyll morphs into Mr. Hyde, 65 years ahead of CGI. This also explains why the film might well become a little darker during the transformation.

This trick is explained on the DVD commentary for the 1931 Fredric March version. I believe they said that the technique, which is indeed impressively seamless and very effective, was used in the Barrymoore version as well. Seems to me it would only work with a B&W film, though. Obviously, too, it wouldn't be enough to achieve a Lon Chaney-Wolfman type transformation, which requires prosthetics, extra hair etc., and the use of lap dissolve editing techniques that tend to look faky to our CGI-jaded eyes.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Mr_McLaurel 16 years ago

Even better transformations occur in the 1931 version. It looks like documentary footage of a man transforming! I was unimpressed with this version though - aside from Barrymore's performance (great) it came off to me as rather dusty.

What's the Spanish for drunken bum?

[–] zeta1983-1 13 years ago

I thought it was pretty impressive by 1920 standards.

[–] dquick 12 years ago

The first transformation was accomplished without special effects or stop action filming; it's just Barrymore doing what he does best. He rises up un-made-up as Hyde, but soon the special effects start as he "grows" claws and his head goes into a point. Only the first transformation is strictly him.

For a comic redition of it check out Douglas Fairbanks Jr.'s spoof on youtube of Barrymore (as Hyde), Gilbert, and Fairbanks, Sr.