Movie review – Bulldog #1 - “Bulldog Drummond Escapes” (1937) **

Ronald Colman had starred in two Bulldog Drummond movies before Paramount decided to turn the books into a B series. Ray Milland took over, and did so well he was promptly promoted off the franchise – the less charismatic John Howard stepped in for the rest of the movies. Milland is very engaging and likeable as Drummond – he dominates the film far more than Howard did in his movies, which tended to be more ensemble pieces (also, here Algy(Reginald Denny) , Tenny (E E Clive) and the Colonel (Guy Standing) don’t do that much). Plot wise this is so-so – Drummond comes to the rescue of a damsel in distress whose family have basically kidnapped her. She’s a bit of a ninny though she proves her worth by the end – she is Phyllis (Heather Angel) who became Drummond’s fiancée. (NB for the purposes of numbering I only refer to the official series - there was another Drummond made aroud this time with John Loder, called Bulldog Drummond at Bay without Denny or Clive).