Britannica Sources used in this answer

How did the 1887 stage adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde influence later films?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Hyde, Mr.; Jekyll, Dr. — Mr. Hyde Mr. Hyde (left) and Dr. Jekyll, both as portrayed by Fredric March, 1931.

The 1887 stage adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde significantly influenced early film adaptations, particularly the 1908 Selig Polyscope Company film, which was inspired by the play rather than directly by Robert Louis Stevenson's novella. This stage version's dramatic depiction of the transformation between Jekyll and Hyde was so compelling that it reportedly led to audience members mistaking the lead actor for Jack the Ripper.1

The success of this stage adaptation paved the way for numerous film versions. The 1908 film itself sparked a "Jekyll and Hyde renaissance," leading to six more film versions within the following four years. Notable film adaptations that followed, drawing from the story's enduring appeal, include:1

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920), starring John Barrymore23
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), starring Fredric March234
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941), starring Spencer Tracy23

These films, along with others across various genres, demonstrate the lasting impact of the novella and its early stage interpretation on cinematic storytelling.15