Bulldog Drummond
At the start of 1933, several British newspaper announced that Hitchcock was to direct a film based on the popular H.C. McNeile Bulldog Drummond books for British International Pictures (BIP), tentatively titled "Bulldog Drummond's Baby" or "The Return of Bulldog Drummond". Writer Charles Bennett worked on the adaptation, until he left the studio.
Forthcoming productions at the British International studios at Elstree will be The Jewel Song, Hawleys of the High Street, The Southern Maid, from the story by Mr. Dion Calthrop, The Red Wagon, by Lady Eleanor Smith, and The Return of Bulldog Drummond, which will be produced under the supervision of Mr. Alfred Hitchcock.[1]
Mr. Alfred Hitchcock has signed a contract to make pictures for the newly formed British company known as London Film Productions. He will also act in an executive capacity. Last year Mr. Hitchcock was appointed supervisor of productions to British International Pictures, which company he is now leaving. At present he is making a film of Bulldog Drummond for British International Pictures.[2]
According to most sources, BIP studio head John Maxwell stopped the project due to concerns about the budget required to make the film.
By the following year, Hitchcock had left BIP and had been recruited by Michael Balcon for Gaumont-British. With Hitchcock now reunited again with Charles Bennett, Balcon secured the rights to the abandoned project and it was developed into The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934). However, BIP initially held on to the rights to the name "Bulldog Drummond" and all references to McNeile's characters were dropped from the Hitchcock film.
A dozen films featuring "Bulldog Drummond" were subsequently released in the 1930s, mainly starring actor John Howard in the title role:
| Title | Year | Director | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Return of Bulldog Drummond | 1934 | Walter Summers | British International Pictures |
| Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back | 1934 | Roy Del Ruth | 20th Century Pictures |
| Bulldog Jack | 1935 | Walter Forde | Gaumont British Picture Corporation |
| Bulldog Drummond's Revenge | 1937 | Louis King | Paramount Pictures |
| Bulldog Drummond at Bay | 1937 | Norman Lee | British International Pictures |
| Bulldog Drummond Comes Back | 1937 | Louis King | Paramount Pictures |
| Bulldog Drummond Escapes | 1937 | James P. Hogan | Paramount Pictures |
| Bulldog Drummond's Peril | 1938 | James P. Hogan | Paramount Pictures |
| Bulldog Drummond in Africa | 1938 | Louis King | Paramount Pictures |
| Arrest Bulldog Drummond | 1939 | James P. Hogan | Paramount Pictures |
| Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police | 1939 | James P. Hogan | Paramount Pictures |
| Bulldog Drummond's Bride | 1939 | James P. Hogan | Paramount Pictures |
Links
- Wikipedia - Bulldog Drummond
