Robert Louis Stevenson's classic thriller of split personality has been filmed many times, but no version compares with this masterly adaptation by Rouben Mamoulian (which, incidentally, MGM bought from Paramount in 1941 and shelved for years in deference to its Spencer Tracy remake). This pre-Production Code version fully exploits the erotic motifs of the original story. As Hyde's victim and sex slave, Miriam Hopkins is pathetic, yet at the same time highly sensual, while Fredric March's performance is surely his best. He handles the transitions from scientist Jekyll to beast Hyde with amazing technical command and is entirely convincing in both personae. As in his other early talkies (Applause, City Streets and Love Me Tonight), Mamoulian here experiments with striking camera effects-such as the famous first-person camera in the opening scene-and expressionistic sound effects. How he filmed one Jekyll-Hyde transition in a single take is still his secret-it's a miracle of make-up and acting that will leave many gasping and terrified!