Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police (1939)

To me, this movie is perfection.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Blistering performances.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

After five failed attempts, it appears British adventurer John Howard (as Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond) will finally marry girlfriend Heather Angel (as Phyllis Clavering). Drummond and friends gather at his Rockingham Tower mansion. Accident prone pal Reginald Denny (as Algy Longworth), Scotland Yard detective H.B. Warner (as Colonel Nielson) and gentlemanly servant E.E. Clive (as Tenny) are there, of course. While you're wondering, "What could go wrong?" a sneaky-looking new butler arrives, looking like Leo G. Carroll. There is also an unexpected guest, absent-minded professor Forrester Harvey (as Downie). The professor reveals a treasure worth one million pounds is hidden somewhere on the estate..."Secret Police" must be one of the lowest-budgeted episodes in the "Bulldog Drummond" series. The running time is less than 60 minutes and includes a "dream sequence" involving flashbacks to previous adventures. Most of the action takes place on Drummond's estate. But it's a nicely decorated set and includes some surprises. In fact, this is one of the better entries in the series. Although he never appeared in a classic "Drummond" film, Mr. Howard is fine in the title role. Director James Hogan and writer Garnett Weston manage the story well, especially Mr. Denny and guest-star Forrester Harvey. As the faltering professor "Downie", Mr. Harvey is delightful from beginning to end.****** Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police (1939-03-24) James Hogan ~ John Howard, Reginald Denny, Heather Angel, Forrester Harvey

Bulldog Drummond was definitely a lesser detective-adventure series of the 30s and 40s. Unlike some of the better Bs (such as Charlie Chan or Sherlock Holmes), this one never quite caught on with the public--though they did make a ton of them. In many ways, the closest films to these were the Falcon and Saint series--as Drummond isn't exactly a detective--he just seems to fall into adventures and dangerous plots. But so may of them just didn't do much to entertain--probably because the leading man turnover rate was higher than in perhaps any other B series--with at least 14 different leading men!! John Howard (who was in this film) played the character in the most films--seven--and I think he might have been one of the best of the series.So, as you can see from my first paragraph, I am NOT a huge fan of the Drummond films--though I do love the genre. However, I must give this film its due--it is excellent all around and compares to the best of any series. Too bad more of the films weren't like this one. It's also too bad that the next film ("Bulldog Drummond's Bride) really sucked.This film, like many other Drummond and Falcon/Saint films, finds the leading man about to get married. These marriages almost always seem to fall through at the last minute and you assume this will once again happen. But it's really NOT Drummond's fault, as this time the killer comes to Drummond's own ancestral home!! It seems there is a hidden treasure--left there from the English Civil War of the early-mid 17th century. An old professor has learned about this and has a secret code that might unlock the mystery. But, naturally, a baddie is on hand to do mischief.The film gets very high points for setting a great mood, good acting (Algie was better than usual here) and I liked the presence of his fiancée's grouchy aunt (Elizabeth Patterson). Fun and well worth seeing.

Terrific adventure that caps the 1937-39 series nicely, with John Howard comfortable in his role as Drummond and Heather Angel a treat (if not an especially good actress) as poor Phyllis. The whole gang is at the old tower estate, preparing for the Drummond wedding, when an absent-minded scholar shows up with a tale about secret passages and treasure right under their feet! Drummond tries to keep out of it, but a sinister figure enters in the night and causes havoc. Soon, the whole troupe is creeping thru dark passages and avoiding deadly traps.The dialog isn't quite as witty or sardonic as in previous entries, but the tension is keen. Ciphers, skeletons, spikes, raging torrents, crumbling platforms, and more make this one of the best of the Bulldog Drummond series. For those keeping score, in this one, Drummond is (again) about to marry Phyllis, and Algy seems to have forgotten that he is already married.

While preparing to marry his fiancee (for the umpteenth time!), Drummond discovers that there is a treasure buried somewhere in the secret passageways beneath his ancient British estate.When England's most-noted history professor reveals this to Drummond, he is invited to stay at the manor house. He is murdered before he can figure out the meaning of the ancient cypher, and Drummond & Co. have to discover it AND the murderer.A VERY interesting story, with secret passageways, ancient torture devices, and all sorts of "death-dealing devices".Great fun!