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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

Notes & References

  1. The Times (04/Jan/1933) - New British films
  2. The Times (01/Feb/1933) - British Film Production: Bulldog Drummond