Dr. Heckyl & Mr. Hype

Dr. Heckyl & Mr. Hype is a comedy horror movie that first hit the silver screen in 1980. Directed by Charles B. Griffith, it stars Oliver Reed and Sunny Johnson in pivotal roles and features an impressive score by Paul Dunlap.

The story focuses on the utterly grotesque and unpleasant-looking Dr. Heckyl (played brilliantly by Oliver Reed). Despite his disturbing appearance, Dr. Heckyl is a kindly, good-hearted podiatrist who boasts an extraordinary skill set and a loyal clientele that includes many beautiful women. However, he feels a deep-seated insecurity and loneliness because of his outwardly unattractive physique. This horrid appearance provides the perfect fodder for the classic theme of an erroneous judgment based on outward appearances, which the movie utilizes skillfully.

Dr. Heckyl is in love with one of his beautiful patients, appropriately named Coral Careen (a role performed by the mercurial Sunny Johnson). In the eyes of Dr. Heckyl, Coral is the epitome of beauty and grace, and his feelings for her are genuine, though he firmly believes that someone as beautiful as Coral could never love someone as visually unappealing as him.

In a desperate bid to make himself more physically attractive and win over Coral's affections, Dr. Heckyl decides to take a potion that he concocts. The potion has an unexpected effect — instead of making him physically attractive, it transforms him into an exceptionally handsome but truly evil and malevolent personality who calls himself Mr. Hype.

When Mr. Hype emerges, he becomes the exact physical embodiment of a man that Heckyl wishes to be but is also a repulsive character due to his arrogance and simplistic evil. Despite his harmful nature, Mr. Hype is incredibly charming, and everyone is drawn to him, including Coral. Yet, she is simultaneously disturbed by the whole situation, unable to recognize the transformation of Dr. Heckyl, and is torn between her fascination towards this new man and her instinctive sense of danger.

Reed's dual performance in the movie is impeccable. He precisely portrays the transformation of Dr. Heckyl into the malicious Mr. Hype with great skill, convincing viewers of both characters' stark differences perfectly. The strikingly contrasting characters bring an intriguing element to the storyline.

Sunny Johnson delivers an admirable performance as Coral Careen, a woman torn between the strong sense of attraction towards the evil yet handsome Mr. Hype, and her sense of discomfort with him, adding an emotional layer to the otherwise comedic-horror movie plotline.

Apart from Reed and Johnson, the movie also features actors like Maia Danziger, Mel Welles, Virgil Frye, Jackie Coogan, and Kedric Wolfe, all of whom leave an unforgettable impression with their performances.

Griffith's direction allows the film to dip into the comedy-horror genre artfully, crafting a world where the supernatural co-exists with everyday life. He combines humor with elements of horror in equal measure, resulting in many hilarious and frightful onscreen moments.

Despite its release in 1980, Dr. Heckyl & Mr. Hype does not feel outdated, largely due to its enduring themes of love, vanity, and the conflicts of human nature. It's filled with a combination of satirical humor, horror elements, and drama having an intriguing premise that is well-executed by a talented cast and an adept director, making it a must-watch for fans of the comedy-horror genre.

Like every good movie in this genre, there is more than meets the eye in Dr. Heckyl & Mr. Hype. Underneath the hilarity and horror, the film effectively examines the themes of dual personalities and the often deceptive nature of physical attractiveness. In essence, the movie stands as a testament to the age-old sayings: "appearances can be deceiving" and "be careful what you wish for." How the story unfolds and how the characters navigate their way through the complexity of what’s happening is something every viewer will appreciate in this classic comedic delve into horror.