Title: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Year: 1912 Runtime: Approx. 12 minutes Director: Lucius Henderson Producer: Thanhouser Company Based on: Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) by Robert Louis Stevenson Starring: James Cruze (Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde), Florence La Badie Country: United States Language: Silent (English intertitles) Format: Black & White, 35mm Genre: Horror, Drama, Literary Adaptation Synopsis: This early American horror short dramatizes the inner conflict of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a brilliant scientist whose experiments unleash his violent alter ego, Mr. Hyde. As Hyde takes over, Jekyll’s identity crumbles under the weight of his own unchecked desires. The film condenses Stevenson’s novella into a brisk but potent moral tale about repression, duality, and the dangers of tampering with human nature. Background & Production: Produced by the Thanhouser Company, this film was part of their initiative to bring well-known literary works to the screen. Filmed in New Rochelle, New York, the production used limited sets and practical effects to convey the transformation and horror of the story. James Cruze's performance as both Jekyll and Hyde was central to the film's impact, relying heavily on body language and facial expression to delineate the characters. Reception: Contemporary audiences were intrigued by the psychological horror, which was still a novel concept in cinema. While some critics noted the film’s brevity, others praised its fidelity to the moral tone of the source material. Its educational and literary appeal also helped it reach schools and lecture halls. Legacy: Today, this film is regarded as one of the earliest cinematic attempts to portray psychological horror. It paved the way for later, more sophisticated versions of the Jekyll and Hyde story. Film historians often cite this short as an important milestone in American horror and literary adaptation. Trivia: Earliest surviving American adaptation: One of the first extant film versions of Stevenson’s story. Dual performance by James Cruze: Cruze would go on to direct major silent epics. Minimal special effects: Transformation was implied through editing, expression, and posture. Thought lost: Rediscovered and preserved decades later. Thanhouser's literary catalogue: Part of a broader trend by the studio to elevate film's cultural status. Curated Hashtags: #DrJekyllAndMrHyde1912 #SilentHorror #ThanhouserCompany #JamesCruze #ClassicLiterature #EarlyCinemaHistory #VintageHorror #PublicDomainFilm #SplitPersonality #RobertLouisStevenson #SilentFilmTrivia #EarlyFilmAdaptations #LuciusHenderson #GothicShorts #HorrorOrigins