| The Ugly Duckling | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Lance Comfort |
| Produced by | Michael Carreras |
| Written by | Sid Colin Jack Davies |
| Starring | Bernard Bresslaw Jon Pertwee Reginald Beckwith |
| Music by | Douglas Gamley |
| Cinematography | Michael Reed |
| Distributed by | Hammer Film Productions |
| Release date(s) | 10 August 1959 |
| Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Ugly Duckling is a 1959 British comedy film, directed by Lance Comfort for Hammer Film Productions and starring Bernard Bresslaw, Jon Pertwee and Reginald Beckwith. The film is a comic adaptation of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde storyline and has nothing to do with the Hans Christian Andersen story.
Henry Jekyll (Bresslaw) is a bungling, awkward and socially inept buffoon working in his uncle's pharmacy. One day he discovers an old formula created by his uncle which claims to turn 'a man of timid disposition into a bold, fearless dragon'. He eagerly mixes the formula, takes one drink, and is transformed into the suave, dashing and self-confident Teddy Hyde. Teddy immediately becomes a darling of society and a big hit with the ladies. However he also craves the thrill of becoming a master criminal, and recruits a gang of expert crooks to join him in carrying out a series of daring and ambitious jewel robberies.
The formula wears off, and Teddy changes back into Henry, who is appalled at the crimes committed by his alter ego. Feeling overcome with guilt, he turns coppers' nark and helps the police to round up and capture the robbers who have evaded them for so long.
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