0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1968 film).
Nothing was collected or created yet.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1968 film)
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
| The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover art | |
| Based on | Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson |
| Screenplay by | Ian McLellan Hunter |
| Directed by | Charles Jarrott |
| Starring | Jack Palance Denholm Elliott Tessie O'Shea |
| Music by | Bob Cobert |
| Country of origin | United States Canada |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Dan Curtis |
| Running time | 120 minutes |
| Production company | Dan Curtis Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | January 7, 1968 |
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a 1968 Canadian-American television film based on the 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. It was directed by Charles Jarrott, produced by Dan Curtis, and written by Ian McLellan Hunter.
It was one of a series of adaptations of famous novels done by ABC.[1]
Plot
[edit]The story follows respectable Dr. Henry Jekyll, who suggests to his colleagues that finding a means to separate the good and bad inherent in every human being, and eliminating the evil side, will help advance man's progress and survival. He has created a serum which he believes will accomplish this, but the very idea of it is rejected by his peers.
Angered by the response, Jekyll decides to self-experiment, taking the untested serum. The results are disastrous, it unleashes an immoral, depraved alter ego, Edward Hyde, whose existence eventually leads to moral decay and unchecked violence.
Hyde's presence becomes stronger and more frequent until Jekyll is trapped, realizing his hubris has created someone who may destroy him.
Cast
[edit]- Jack Palance as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Edward Hyde
- Denholm Elliott as Mr. George Devlin
- Tessie O'Shea as Tessie O'Toole
- Torin Thatcher as Sir John Turnbull
- Oskar Homolka as Stryker
- Leo Genn as Dr. Hastie Lanyon
- Billie Whitelaw as Gwyn Thomas
- Rex Sevenoaks as Dr. Wright
- Gillie Fenwick as Poole
- Elizabeth Cole as Hattie
- Duncan Lamont as Sergeant Grimes
- Paul Harding as Constable Johnson
- Donald Webster as Garvis
- Geoffrey Alexander as Richard Enfield
Production
[edit]Dan Curtis originally engaged Rod Serling to write the script and Jason Robards to star, with filming to take place in London. Robards, however, was unhappy with the script, and filming in London proved difficult due to a technician's union strike. Filming was pushed back, and Robards decided to drop out.[2] With a new script by Ian McLellan Hunter and a new leading man in Jack Palance, Curtis decided to film in Canada, where it would be cheaper to do so than in the US.[3]
Filming took place in Toronto over seven weeks in 1967. Curtis had to pay $200,000 to build a replica of Washington Square in Toronto, and Palance was injured while filming a stunt.[4] The budget was approximately $900,000,[5] of which ABC paid approximately half. The show was nominated for four Emmy Awards: Outstanding Television Movie, Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Drama (Tessie O'Shea), Best Graphic Design, and Best Makeup at the 20th Primetime Emmy Awards.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Jack Palance Signed for "Jekyll and Hyde", Los Angeles Times, 24 July 1967: d30.
- ^ 'Jekyll' Film Has Hideous Problems, Humphrey, Hal., Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 1968: e24.
- ^ TV Actors--Get 'Em Wholes'l in Canada, Humphrey, Hal., Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 1967: c20.
- ^ Jack Palance Injured in Stunt Mishap, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sept. 1967: b5
- ^ TV REVIEW: 'Case of Jekyll and Hyde' Makes Its Debut on ABC, Dutton, Walt., Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 1968: c12.
- ^ "RPM Magazine Vol.9 No. 11 - May 11, 1968" (PDF).
External links
[edit]The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1968 film)
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Overview
Background
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a 1968 Canadian-American made-for-television film, produced as a two-hour special that premiered on ABC on January 7, 1968.[1] It was a co-production between Dan Curtis Productions and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, marking an early example of cross-border collaboration in American network television.[2] The film adapts Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, a seminal work of gothic fiction that has inspired over a dozen cinematic versions since the silent era, including notable Hollywood productions in the 1930s and 1940s.[7] This adaptation stands out for its television format, which allowed for a more intimate exploration of the story's themes of duality and inner conflict, emphasizing psychological horror over overt physical transformation.[8] Originally, producer Dan Curtis planned the project with Rod Serling writing the screenplay and Jason Robards starring as Jekyll/Hyde, with filming intended for London. However, Robards withdrew due to scheduling conflicts, and Serling also departed the production, leading to Jack Palance being cast and Ian McLellan Hunter taking over the script. Filming ultimately took place in Toronto, Ontario.[9] The production emerged during the late 1960s surge in television horror, a period fueled by growing audience appetite for supernatural and gothic narratives on broadcast networks.[10] Dan Curtis, the film's producer, had recently launched the groundbreaking ABC soap opera Dark Shadows in 1966, which blended gothic romance with horror elements and attracted millions of viewers, thereby elevating the genre's viability for prime-time specials. This context positioned The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as part of a broader wave of high-profile TV adaptations of classic tales, reflecting networks' shift toward investing in original made-for-TV movies to compete with theatrical releases and capture diverse demographics.[11] The partnership between Curtis's company and ABC exemplified the era's trend of allocating substantial budgets—often rivaling low-end features—to prestige horror programming, helping to establish the made-for-TV movie as a staple format.[10]Production credits
The film was directed by Charles Jarrott, a British director who began his career in the 1950s after serving in the Royal Navy during World War II and working as an actor in theater and television.[12] Jarrott's experience in British television drama informed his handling of the film's atmospheric tension and character-driven narrative, marking one of his early forays into longer-form productions before transitioning to feature films like Anne of the Thousand Days (1969).[13] The screenplay was adapted by Ian McLellan Hunter from Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Hunter, a veteran screenwriter known for his work on films such as Roman Holiday (1953), emphasized the story's scientific experimentation and moral duality, expanding on Jekyll's internal conflict and the ethical implications of unleashing the id through a transformative serum.[3] His adaptation retained the novella's Victorian London setting while heightening the psychological horror to suit the television format.[2] Production was led by Dan Curtis, the creator of the gothic soap opera Dark Shadows (1966–1971), who spearheaded this as his first primetime television movie under Dan Curtis Productions. Curtis's affinity for supernatural and horror themes, honed through Dark Shadows, drove the project's focus on moody visuals and eerie storytelling, establishing a template for his subsequent TV adaptations like The Night Stalker (1972). Key technical contributions included music by composer Bob Cobert, whose score featured haunting orchestral cues that amplified the film's gothic dread and Jekyll's descent into madness, a style consistent with his work on Dark Shadows.[3] Art direction was handled by Trevor Williams, who crafted the foggy, period-accurate London sets to evoke isolation and foreboding. Costume design by Horst Dantz provided authentic Victorian attire, enhancing the social contrast between Jekyll's respectability and Hyde's savagery.[3] The makeup team, led by Dick Smith, created the film's transformative effects, particularly Jack Palance's Hyde persona with its demonic features, earning an Emmy nomination for outstanding achievement in makeup and contributing to the production's visual impact.Story and characters
Plot summary
In 19th-century London, Dr. Henry Jekyll, a respected physician and scientist, presents his theory at a medical symposium that human nature consists of separate good and evil components that can be isolated through scientific means, but he faces ridicule and skepticism from his colleagues.[1] Undeterred, Jekyll collaborates with chemist Stryker to develop a transformative serum, which he tests on himself, resulting in his first agonizing metamorphosis into the primitive and savage Mr. Edward Hyde, a being free from moral constraints.[1] As Hyde, Jekyll unleashes his repressed impulses, indulging in debauchery at seedy music halls and brothels run by Tessie O'Toole, where he encounters the singer Gwyn Thomas and begins a tumultuous relationship marked by abuse.[2] The situation escalates when Hyde murders Garvis, a brothel client, with a sword cane, drawing the attention of Jekyll's loyal friend and lawyer, George Devlin, who begins investigating the mysterious Hyde and his connection to Jekyll after suspicious financial arrangements come to light.[1][14] Jekyll, horrified by the murder and his loss of control, attempts to reverse the transformations with antidotes and destroys his supply of the serum, but the changes become involuntary, with Hyde emerging even without the potion and growing stronger.[1] In a desperate bid for help, Jekyll confides the truth to Devlin, revealing his dual identity and the scientific rationale behind the experiment, though Devlin urges him to end the ordeal.[1] Hyde's dominance culminates in a final violent rampage, including the murder of Stryker, terrorizing Gwyn and others, before a confrontation with Devlin in the laboratory; Devlin shoots Hyde, who collapses and dies from the wounds.[1][15] This adaptation emphasizes a rational, scientific explanation for the transformations over supernatural elements, incorporates a romantic subplot with Gwyn as an interest tied to both Jekyll and Hyde to heighten the personal stakes, and remains set in Victorian London to mirror the novella's atmosphere.[2]Cast
The principal cast of the 1968 television film The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde features Jack Palance in the lead dual role as Dr. Henry Jekyll, a dedicated scientist exploring human duality, and Mr. Edward Hyde, his unleashed and brutal alter ego.[1] Denholm Elliott plays George Devlin, Jekyll's steadfast lawyer and confidant who becomes entangled in unraveling the enigma surrounding his friend's experiments.[16] Billie Whitelaw portrays Gwyn Thomas, a singer at a music hall who becomes involved in the turmoil as Hyde's abused interest and seeks solace from Jekyll.[17] Tessie O'Shea embodies Tessie O'Toole, the colorful and boisterous proprietor of a seedy music hall and brothel, infusing the vice scenes with eccentric energy.[3] In supporting roles, Leo Genn appears as Dr. Hastie Lanyon, Jekyll's fellow physician and skeptical colleague; Torin Thatcher as Sir John Turnbull, a prominent societal figure; Rex Sevenoaks as Dr. Wright, a medical associate; Gillie Fenwick as Poole, the loyal butler; and Duncan Lamont as Sir Danvers, another key acquaintance in Jekyll's circle.[16] Additional performers include Oskar Homolka as Stryker, the gruff chemist who assists Jekyll in creating the serum.[17]| Actor | Role | Character Function |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Palance | Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Edward Hyde | Protagonist scientist and his darker persona |
| Denholm Elliott | George Devlin | Loyal lawyer friend investigating events |
| Billie Whitelaw | Gwyn Thomas | Singer involved with Hyde, seeks Jekyll's help |
| Tessie O'Shea | Tessie O'Toole | Eccentric music hall proprietor |
| Leo Genn | Dr. Hastie Lanyon | Skeptical physician colleague |
| Torin Thatcher | Sir John Turnbull | Influential societal contact |
| Rex Sevenoaks | Dr. Wright | Assisting medical professional |
| Gillie Fenwick | Poole | Devoted butler |
| Duncan Lamont | Sir Danvers | Prominent acquaintance |
Production
Development
The development of the 1968 television film The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde originated with producer Dan Curtis, who envisioned a prestigious adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella for American broadcast, initially commissioning Rod Serling to pen the screenplay.[18][19] Curtis planned the project as a two-hour special, with Jason Robards cast in the dual lead roles of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde, and principal photography set to occur in London to capture a period-authentic atmosphere.[20] The production advanced to pre-production stages by late 1966, appearing close to approval by ABC and international partners.[20] These early plans collapsed due to dissatisfaction with Serling's script, which Robards found inadequate, leading to his withdrawal.[20] Serling departed the project prematurely as a result, leaving the screenplay incomplete.[20] In response, Curtis pivoted by hiring British screenwriter Ian McLellan Hunter to overhaul the script, incorporating a more structured narrative that retained Stevenson's core duality while adapting it for television pacing.[21] Hunter's rewrite facilitated further changes, including recasting the lead with Jack Palance, whose rugged intensity suited the transformative roles, and relocating production to Toronto, Canada, as a cost-effective co-production between American and Canadian broadcasters.[20][22] This shift allowed Curtis to avoid escalating expenses from the planned London shoot while leveraging local facilities and tax incentives.[22] Pre-production resumed in 1967, with the revised script emphasizing the scientific underpinnings of Jekyll's experiment—drawing on Victorian-era themes of evolution and human psychology—over overt supernatural horror elements to appeal to a broader audience.[23]Filming
Principal photography for The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde occurred over seven weeks in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, during 1967, utilizing local studios and exteriors such as the Distillery District to evoke a Victorian London setting.[22] The production, a co-venture between Dan Curtis Productions, ABC, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, had an estimated budget of $900,000, with the American Broadcasting Company funding roughly half to support its made-for-television format.[1] Originally planned for London to capture authentic period ambiance, the shoot was relocated due to logistical hurdles in sourcing period-appropriate props and sets, with production leveraging Canadian facilities for cost efficiency.[24] Technical demands centered on the film's transformation sequences, achieved through practical makeup applications by Dick Smith—featuring prosthetics to alter facial features into a satyr-like Hyde—and post-shoot editing with rapid cuts to simulate the shifts without relying on optical effects, given the television medium's constraints.[2] Color cinematography, shot on video for interior scenes and 35mm film for select exteriors, employed low-key lighting and desaturated palettes to heighten the gothic mood, distinguishing it from black-and-white adaptations while accommodating broadcast standards.[9] Jack Palance's portrayal of Hyde drew on his physical presence, with on-set adjustments to emphasize hunched postures and feral mannerisms that intensified the character's menace.[23] In post-production, the footage was assembled into a 120-minute runtime, focusing on tight pacing to maintain suspense within the anthology-style ABC Stage 67 slot. Sound design incorporated layered effects for the transformations, amplifying echoes and distortions to underscore psychological turmoil. The orchestral score, composed by Bob Cobert, utilized brooding strings and dissonant motifs to heighten tension, particularly during Hyde's rampages, aligning with Curtis's signature atmospheric style from projects like Dark Shadows.[25]Release and reception
Broadcast
The film premiered on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) on January 3, 1968, followed by its American premiere on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on January 7, 1968, as a Sunday night special event within ABC's Wide World of Mystery anthology series.[1][26][27] It was a co-production between ABC and CBC. The broadcast ran for 120 minutes, including commercials, and was presented in color to reach a broad major network audience.[28][8] A restored version of the film was released on DVD by MPI Home Video on August 27, 2002.[29] As of 2025, it remains available on streaming platforms including Amazon Prime Video and Tubi.[30][31]Critical response
Upon its initial broadcast in 1968 as part of ABC's Wide World of Mystery anthology series, the film received praise for its atmospheric gothic production design and close fidelity to Robert Louis Stevenson's novella, emphasizing psychological horror over sensationalism.[32] Critics and viewers were divided on Palance's acting style, with some appreciating its compelling intensity and others finding it overmannered and stiff, reflective of the production's theatrical roots in television drama. The made-for-TV format led to occasional criticisms of a stagey, dialogue-heavy presentation that prioritized character introspection over visual spectacle.[32] Aggregate scores reflect this mixed reception. On IMDb, the film maintains a 6.7/10 rating from 860 user votes, underscoring its enduring appeal as a solid adaptation despite budgetary constraints. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 67% approval rating based on 10 critic reviews, highlighting praises for its thematic loyalty while noting limitations in pacing and effects.[1][2] Retrospective assessments often hail the film as one of the stronger television interpretations of Stevenson's work, valuing its science-fictional exploration of human duality and emotional layers in contrast to more monstrous depictions in earlier cinematic versions. A 2025 review in The Film Frenzy lauded Palance's dual performance, enhanced by makeup artist Dick Smith's contributions, as excellent in conveying the doctor's tormented psyche, though acknowledging the dated visual effects typical of 1960s TV.[33]Accolades and legacy
Awards and nominations
The 1968 television film The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde received four nominations at the 20th Primetime Emmy Awards, recognizing its production quality and performances despite the era's emphasis on variety programming.[5] The film did not secure any wins, but these nominations underscored the growing prestige of made-for-television movies in a competitive landscape.[34] The nominations spanned key technical and artistic categories, highlighting the film's innovative visual effects and makeup transformations central to the Jekyll-Hyde duality.[35]| Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Dramatic Program | Dan Curtis (producer) | Nominated |
| Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Drama | Tessie O'Shea (as Tessie O'Toole) | Nominated |
| Outstanding Individual Achievement in the Visual Arts (Graphic Design) | Bert Gordon | Nominated |
| Outstanding Individual Achievement in Makeup | Dick Smith | Nominated |