Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde in Pop Culture *Possible Spoilers*

[Michael, Mod Prometheus]

What are the differences you've noticed between this novel and the adaptations.

[M.L.]

I haven't seen a full movie but the old black and white version I partially watched on TV seemed more theatrical with the focus on the monstrous transformation. The book I found to be a gem in one hundred pages.

[Michael, Mod Prometheus]

Has anyone seen the BBC show Jekyll? by the same guys as Sherlock

[Mary, Quiet Observer]

How about the new show Do No harm, it's inspired by Jekyll and Hyde, I think.
There is also the musical.

[Michael, Mod Prometheus]

That got cancelled after two episodes

[Franky]

I want to see the episodes of Jekyll. They keep popping up on my top 10 list of ones I might like. Thanks for reminding me.

I saw the old silent film version (with John Barrymore...Drew's grandfather, right?) on Netflix and remembered seeing the other older version with Spencer Tracy some years back. The film focuses mostly on the physical grotesqueness of Hyde as Flash Beagle pointed out (and wow, Hyde is quite a sight to behold, very hideous), where the novel explores the psychology and emotional turmoil within Dr. Jekyll to chose the "right" self.

[Michael, Mod Prometheus]

What are your thoughts of the influences of this novella in Comic books? Two Face and Hulk are obviously influenced but I tend the thing maybe the whole double life superheroes live is also been influenced by Jeykll and Hyde.

[Franky]

That's an interesting take. I think that this novel has influences in many of the comics because often the main character's story is based on their psychology and double-sided nature. Superman, Spiderman come to mind.

I've watched the first two episodes of Jekyll on Netflix. The Hyde character sort of reminds me of Jack Nicholson's The Joker character.

[Pip]

Michael wrote: "What are your thoughts of the influences of this novella in Comic books? .."

The link hadn't occurred to me either, and I think it's a really good point. Although history and literature are littered with good vs evil debates, I don't know whether there is an example prior to J&H where the contradictions are personified by two men in one.

Re the BBC Jekyll series - I've just watched the first 15 minutes of episode one and found the dialogue and some of the acting painful!! Does it get better? I loved Sherlock, but this isn't doing it for me so far.

Btw - despite my negative first few posts on this group, I'm not actually the massive whinge-bag I might seem - ha ha! Please don't throw me out just yet.....

[Franky]

Pip, I've watched the first two episodes of Jekyll. It sort of alternates between interesting concepts and somewhat silly over the top acting. So, in a way, it is it's own Jekyll and Hyde. You might give one episode a try.

I do plan on finishing it though. It does present somewhat of a different perspective on the whole Jekyll and Hyde idea.

[M.L.]

For a different viewpoint, I would split super into super heroes and super villains - villains, yes could be influenced; super heroes come from a different place so I don't think so - whole different character. Most of them are dealing with something unintentional like the mutant Fantastic Four or X-Men; Superman too and all his followers.

In the villain category, J&H could have influenced Dorian Gray. They were published around the same time, not sure who was first though.

Jekyll and Hyde also could have been influenced by fairy tales. Andersen's The Marsh King's Daughter has good and bad personified in one person. The difference though is that she has no choice in the matter, she inherited two natures. In this case the ugly personification was the good and the beautiful was the bad.

I loved the book - his writing - every word mattered -was fantastic. I'll be reading Kidnapped soon!