Horror films have often struggled to gain recognition at the Academy Awards, but the genre’s history with the Oscars stretches back nearly a century. The first horror movie to win an Oscar was the 1931 classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, starring Fredric March. Today, audiences can revisit this groundbreaking film on HBO Max.
A Historic Win
Fredric March won Best Actor for his dual role as Dr. Henry Jekyll and his monstrous alter ego, Edward Hyde. His award was part of a rare tie with Wallace Beery for The Champ. The film also earned nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography, cementing its place in Oscar history.
A Dual Performance That Endures
March’s portrayal remains mesmerizing. He captured both the respectable gentleman and the snarling beast, showing hints of Hyde within Jekyll even before the transformation. The makeup effects by Wally Westmore and the innovative cinematography by Karl Struss created one of cinema’s most iconic metamorphoses.
Groundbreaking Filmmaking
Director Rouben Mamoulian used inventive techniques to depict Jekyll’s transformation. Struss employed colored filters on black-and-white film stock to make the makeup appear as if it was changing in real time. The film’s opening POV shot, achieved with hidden cuts, was revolutionary for its era, when sound films were still new.
A Frightening Classic
Made before Hollywood’s strict Hays Code, the film explored darker themes with fewer restrictions. Hyde’s abusive relationship with singer Ivy Pierson (Miriam Hopkins) remains disturbing to watch, underscoring the film’s raw depiction of violence and manipulation. The absence of a musical score, aside from Bach’s Toccata and Fugue, heightens the tension.
A Film Saved from Obscurity
MGM once tried to suppress the 1931 version to promote its 1941 remake starring Spencer Tracy. Thankfully, a print was rediscovered in the 1960s, preserving this landmark piece of cinema. Today, horror fans can stream it on HBO Max and appreciate its artistry and influence.
