Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932)

Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story about duel personalities is given its best cinematic treatment with Fredric March playing the title roles.  Sure the makeup does seem a little racist (which was something I tried to ignore because I know the film makers intended to model the Hyde effects after prehistoric cave men; but at the same time this was a different time with less concern over the sensitives of minorities) nevertheless the effects are ground breaking.  What also impressed me was how director Rouben Mamoulian experimented with the first person point of view shot and makes it work.  Sure it's a little bit of a gimmick but he doesn't over use the technique.  I also must give a shout out at one of my favorite underrated female stars, Miriam Hopkins, who delivers the screams and the fear as the terrorized girl friend of Mr. Hyde.  Overall a great work of horror on so many levels.  Grade: A-