DR. PYCKLE AND MR. PRYDE (1925)
Article #809 by Dave Sindelar
Viewing Date: 6-2-2003
Posting Date: 10-30-2003
Directed by Percy Pembroke and Joe Rock
Featuring Stan Laurel and Julie Leonard

The famous scientist Dr. Pyckle concocts a potion to turn him into the fiendish Mr. Pride.

Title check: As good a title for a parody of the Jekyll/Hyde story as any.

Considering just how many silent versions were ultimately made of the Jekyll and Hyde story, it’s nice to see that at least one comic version has survived the years. This one is quite interesting for anyone who would like to catch Stan Laurel in something other than his usual Stan Laurel role; he plays both Dr. Pyckle and the fiendish Mr. Pryde (obviously modeled off of Barrymore’s take on the character). I don’t know if “fiendish” is the proper description, though; it really depends on how you feel about practical jokes. It’s a pretty minor comic short, but amusing enough for all practical purposes.