This very early talkie marks the debut of the famous actor Ronald Colman in sound pictures, and it was a powerful introduction for him; a great treat for the audiences! His beautifully-delivered English was ideal for the character he portrayed in "Bulldog Drummond" ~ as opposed to the over-the-top asinine caricature of his silly though well-meaning sidekick Algy complete with monocle! This is an amusing motion picture of important historical interest. It does not hold up very well with the passing of almost 90 years, but still has the ability to hold one's attention and even fascination, and all the actors are clearly striving to deliver. Other reviewers have delat with the actual storyline, so I won't comment further. Be sure to see this "talkie" if you can. I'm happy to recommend it highly. >>>>>> 8/10 <<<<<<

Ronald Coleman stars in this early talkie from 1929 which now appears to be rather creaky, not helped that some of the actors appear to be making a difficult transition to talking pictures.Not so with Ronald Coleman he seems to have stepped up with ease as the dashing hero, Captain Hugh Drummond a retired army officer who places a personal ad in the Times newspaper advertising his services. A young lady Phyllis (Joan Bennett) responds as her wealthy American uncle is being held captive in a Nursing Home by a gang which consists of a mad doctor and his cohorts who are after the uncle's money.Drummond is assisted by his valet and the annoying as well as dim friend Algy (Claude Allister.)This is a rather stagy film being adapted from a play and it also comes across as rather starchy.

The first entry in a long-running film series comes from 1929, but in some ways it looks more modern than that. Despite its being a very early talkie, the dialogue flows naturally, and the camera work is rather advanced as well. Ronald Colman plays a suave adventurer in a style not far removed from that of Sean Connery as James Bond, several decades later! And Lilyan Tashman, as a wicked bad girl, gives a supremely self-assured performance; although not as "conventionally" beautiful as her co-star, Joan Bennett (who plays the slightly whiny damsel-in-distress), she is far sexier. The story, however, is nothing special; essentially a continuous back-and-forth between two locations (an inn and a phony "clinic"). And there is no real ending - the way the film ends, you'd think the story would be continued in the next chapter, but apparently that never happened! **1/2 out of 4.

Imagine growing up with Ronald Colman on the silent screen: a man with striking good looks & natural ease before the camera. And then to hear, for the first time, that enchanting voice! I love Ronald Colman, like almost all today I did not discover him until later in life. I am a big fan, but I do not love all his movies. I do love Bulldog Drummond. Yes it is dated. The film & particularly the sound shows its age. But Colman is wonderful, romping through scenes with gay abandon. The doctor is still playing in a silent film, complete with overdone dramatic gestures & expressions. One wishes Joan Bennett would warm up. She is a delicate, beautiful pixie. Even Colman's proximity fails to thaw her. But who cares? Colman rarely lingers in any scene, his energy & grace vibrating on the screen. See the first Colman talkie. Smile when the actors cluster around an object (hidden microphone here!). And just enjoy Ronald Colman.