Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Started by vandermolen, July 31, 2009, 02:48:22 AM

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vandermolen

July 31, 2009, 02:48:22 AM Last Edit: July 31, 2009, 03:47:19 PM by vandermolen
This is one of my very favourite books (or long short story). I have read it many many times (the only other book I have read more than twice is St Exupery's The Little Prince). For me Stevenson's great story deals with the essential duality in human nature and the conflict between life-affirming and life-negating tendencies, which is it's main appeal for me.

Robert Louis Stevenson's book (or 'novella') was published in 1886.

I have liked some of the movies too! My favourite featuring the wonderful actor Frederick March (although I am not too keen on 'Dr Jekyll and Ms Hyde'!)

Any other views on Dr Jekyll?
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Archaic Torso of Apollo

#1
July 31, 2009, 02:57:04 AM
It's a great piece of work in a genre I especially like: the novella, or short novel, or "long short story". The advantage of this genre is that it allows more development than a short story, but greater concentration (and, plainly speaking, fewer "boring bits") than a long novel.

One strength of the story is its lack of specific detail regarding the sins of Jekyll and the activities of Hyde, which allows you to fill the story with whatever allegorical interpretation you want.
formerly VELIMIR (before that, Spitvalve)

"Who knows not strict counterpoint, lives and dies an ignoramus" - CPE Bach

vandermolen

#2
July 31, 2009, 03:25:47 AM Last Edit: July 31, 2009, 03:46:24 PM by vandermolen
Quote from: Spitvalve on July 31, 2009, 02:57:04 AM
It's a great piece of work in a genre I especially like: the novella, or short novel, or "long short story". The advantage of this genre is that it allows more development than a short story, but greater concentration (and, plainly speaking, fewer "boring bits") than a long novel.

One strength of the story is its lack of specific detail regarding the sins of Jekyll and the activities of Hyde, which allows you to fill the story with whatever allegorical interpretation you want.

Yes, that's such an important point (your last one) and I have enjoyed reading various lit. crits. about the book, such as 'In Search of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' which discuss the numerous interpretations - thanks for your response.
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

karlhenning

#3
July 31, 2009, 04:08:07 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on July 31, 2009, 02:48:22 AM
. . . (the only other book I have read more than twice is St Exupery's The Little Press).

Ah, the story of Gutenberg! (Sorry, couldn't helop myself, Jeffrey!!)  ;)

karlhenning

#4
July 31, 2009, 04:11:13 AM
Thread duty:

That is still on my "to read" list (aye, all these long decades).  Fact is, my first awareness of the story was (Curse you, Carl Stalling!) an adaptation with Bugs Bunny . . . and I've never yet made my way to the Ur-text.

Szykneij

#5
July 31, 2009, 07:13:58 AM


Time to go dust off this CD. I can't quite remember what the piece sounds like.
Men profess to be lovers of music, but for the most part they give no evidence in their opinions and lives that they have heard it.  ~ Henry David Thoreau

Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines. ~ Satchel Paige

snyprrr

#6
July 31, 2009, 09:56:44 AM
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Black

Dr. Jekyll & Sister Hyde

karlhenning

#7
July 31, 2009, 10:03:38 AM
Quote from: Szykniej on July 31, 2009, 07:13:58 AM
Time to go dust off this CD. I can't quite remember what the piece sounds like.

How'd it go, Tony?  :)

Szykneij

#8
July 31, 2009, 10:07:15 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on July 31, 2009, 10:03:38 AM
How'd it go, Tony?  :)

Still dusting ... hopefully, tonight.  :)
Men profess to be lovers of music, but for the most part they give no evidence in their opinions and lives that they have heard it.  ~ Henry David Thoreau

Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines. ~ Satchel Paige

Josquin des Prez

#9
July 31, 2009, 10:50:38 AM
Quote

Wait, which one is supposed to be Mr Hyde?

vandermolen

#10
July 31, 2009, 03:48:27 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on July 31, 2009, 04:08:07 AM
Ah, the story of Gutenberg! (Sorry, couldn't helop myself, Jeffrey!!)  ;)

Hehe - don't know what happened there Karl - I've corrected it now.
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

vandermolen

#11
July 31, 2009, 03:49:46 PM
Quote from: Josquin des Prez on July 31, 2009, 10:50:38 AM
Wait, which one is supposed to be Mr Hyde?

On the right  0:) >:D
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

vandermolen

#12
July 31, 2009, 03:55:06 PM
Quote from: Szykniej on July 31, 2009, 07:13:58 AM


Time to go dust off this CD. I can't quite remember what the piece sounds like.

This fun CD has Franz Waxman's 'Jekyll and Hyde Suite' from his score to the Mamoulian film starring Spencer Tracy (I prefer the earlier version with Frederick March):



"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Bu

#13
July 31, 2009, 06:43:17 PM
I'd also praise the 1941 film version with Spencer Tracy (Yank accent and all); great lead acting, excellent lighting and sets compliment solid direction to make a creepily good adaptation.

vandermolen

#14
August 01, 2009, 07:34:02 AM
Quote from: Bu on July 31, 2009, 06:43:17 PM
I'd also praise the 1941 film version with Spencer Tracy (Yank accent and all); great lead acting, excellent lighting and sets compliment solid direction to make a creepily good adaptation.

Yes, although I don't think that the deliberate miscasting of Ingrid Bergman ansd Lana Turner works that well - the transformation scene is good though:

0:) :o ??? :P :-[ :-X :o :o :o :P ;D >:D
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Bu

#15
August 01, 2009, 10:57:33 AM
I'm sure Spencer had fun during the making of the film:


;D

snyprrr

#16
August 01, 2009, 02:26:54 PM
I have fond Sunday afternoon memories of Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll. Oh, the Hammer madness!

vandermolen

#17
August 02, 2009, 12:34:10 AM Last Edit: August 02, 2009, 12:36:28 AM by vandermolen
Quote from: snyprrr on August 01, 2009, 02:26:54 PM
I have fond Sunday afternoon memories of Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll. Oh, the Hammer madness!

I love those old lurid Hammer films - The Masque of the Red Death being a favourite. I am a great fan of Vincent Price.
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Szykneij

#18
August 02, 2009, 03:40:43 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on August 02, 2009, 12:34:10 AM
I love those old lurid Hammer films - The Masque of the Red Death being a favourite. I am a great fan of Vincent Price.

Vincent Price was terrific! It's interesting that during his career, many Americans here assumed he was British when he was actually born in St. Louis, Missouri.
Men profess to be lovers of music, but for the most part they give no evidence in their opinions and lives that they have heard it.  ~ Henry David Thoreau

Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines. ~ Satchel Paige

snyprrr

#19
August 02, 2009, 07:58:18 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on August 02, 2009, 12:34:10 AM
I love those old lurid Hammer films - The Masque of the Red Death being a favourite. I am a great fan of Vincent Price.

Masque was by American-International, as were all the Price/Poe/Corman films! Van, I'm shocked! :o

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