BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Borserie it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Jenna Walter The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

JohnHowardReid Bulldog Drummond in Africa (1938) , was the 13th and one of the better entries in the 24-picture "Bulldog Drummond" series. This installment not only brings Heather Angel back to the role of Phyllis Clavering, but replaces a rather seedy John Barrymore with the far less hammy H.B. Warner. Of course, the irritating Reginald Denny is still very much on hand, but he is far more subdued than usual in this entry; and it's always a joy to see young Anthony Quinn as the heavy's accomplice. Despite a rather silly start to the tale, the accent here is this installment rotates more firmly on thrills than comedy. Although his work is nothing special, Louis King directs with reasonable competence.

robert-temple-1 Here we go again, but it isn't 'Africa', it's just Morocco. However, I guess they thought 'Africa' sounded more glamorous for a title. This is a superior entry into the Bulldog Drummond series, and is the thirteenth Drummond film to be made. John Howard is a terrific Drummond, compares well with Ronald Colman, and is superior to Ray Milland and Walter Pidgeon. (I do hate to say anything against Walter Pidgeon, but I am only referring to the role of Drummond, whom he played on one occasion, the 21st Drummond film, 'Calling Bulldog Drummond' in 1951.) E. E. Clive is once again the butler, and what a time he has! (As do we, just watching him.) Heather Angel is the gal this time, due to be married to Drummond of course the next morning, but then we knew that would never be allowed, didn't we? She is a great kisser, doubtless smells of heather, has a fresh face and one wants her around. And she won't leave her man alone, but insists on sharing his danger. That's a good sport, then! Nothing like a love interest who contributes to the action plot as well! J. Carroll Naish is a particularly sinister baddie in this film, with his ultra-calm demeanour and suave, reassuring ways. He out-Sanders George Sanders sometimes and out-Conways Tom Conway. A pity, as a villain, he is not allowed to get a girl after all that sophisticated behaviour and under-playing of his dialogue to insidious effect. Yes, this is a good one. And the escape from the exploding plane is worthy of Batman.

classicsoncall The movie opens with a trouser-less Drummond (John Howard) and his butler Tenny (E.E. Clive), confined to Rockingham Lodge on the eve of the Captain's wedding to Miss Phyllis Clavering (Heather Angel). Drummond's sidekick Algy (Reginald Denny) is holding their pants hostage to prevent his boss from getting caught up in a distraction that would disrupt the ceremony. Is it possible that they only had one pair of pants each?Scotland Yard's Colonel Nielson (H.B. Warner) meanwhile, is about to be taken hostage himself by an old nemesis, Richard Lane (J. Carrol Naish). Lane hopes to secure information about a newly developed radio-wave disintegrator, but when Nielson becomes uncooperative, Lane hustles him aboard a plane bound for Morocco where he'll have time to work him over for the secret. The early going is marked by a frantic effort to catch Lane and Nielson, as Algy valiantly tries to deliver the pants along the way.The ever patient and ever single Miss Clavering stows away aboard Drummond's plane as the good guys take flight to Africa. The final confrontation there involves a lion, strategically tethered to an uncertain stake with Colonel Nielson the prize should it give way."Bulldog Drummond in Africa" offers it's share of characteristic good humor and camaraderie between Drummond and his cohorts, though this time around some troubling elements are included as well. Nielson's butler Phillips is dispatched by Lane, and Algy takes a bullet in the arm during the finale at Lane's estate.For J.Carrol Naish, this was his second unsuccessful attempt to outwit hero Drummond. He previously vied with John Howard in "Bulldog Drummond Comes Back", though portraying a different character. Heather Angel reprises her role as Phyllis Clavering from "Bulldog Drummond Escapes", the only film in the series with Ray Milland in the role of the title character. Howard and Angel would team up a total of four times, culminating in the 1939 entry "Bulldog Drummond's Bride". Not having seen it yet, I've got my fingers crossed for an invitation to a wedding.

Spondonman The opening ruse to keep Drummond & Co. from finding Adventure and to find Marriage wears thin after 10 minutes or so, but this potboiler soon picks up speed - the plane taking them all to Morocco was slower.J. Carroll Naish as the baddie kidnaps the goodie from Scotland Yard, H. B. Warner for his state secrets, flies him out of the country with Drummond in pursuit. I won't give the game away as to whether he, Algy, Tenney and Phyllis succeed in releasing Warner, properly chastise the baddies (including the cub Anthony Quinn) and fly back home into a happy ending - you'll have to bite your nails and watch it!At times utterly predictable, even with a rather savage lion in some shots - what did they have to do to make it so mad - but as usual a very watchable entry in this series.