Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931 film)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931 film) is a pre-Code horror film directed by Rouben Mamoulian, starring Fredric March, Miriam Hopkins, and Rose Hobart. It is an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

The film follows the story of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a respected London physician, who becomes obsessed with separating the good and evil aspects of human nature. He experiments on himself and develops a potion that transforms him into the hideous and immoral Mr. Hyde. As Hyde, he indulges in violent and depraved activities, terrorizing the city and jeopardizing Jekyll's reputation and relationships.

The film is notable for its use of innovative special effects, particularly the transformation sequences where March seamlessly transitions between Jekyll and Hyde. Fredric March won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the dual role. The film was a critical and commercial success upon its release, although it was later criticized for its overtly sexual content and violence, leading to its eventual withdrawal from circulation after the introduction of the Hays Code. It was re-released in 1967 after being recut.

The film is considered a classic of the horror genre and has been influential in subsequent adaptations of the story. It explores themes of duality, morality, and the conflict between good and evil.