MovieChat Forums > Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932) Discussion > How did they change March’s skin color d...

How did they change March’s skin color during transformation scenes?

posted a year ago by mudsharkbytes (170)
4 replies | jump to latest

Every time March changed from Jekyll to Hyde initially you visibly see shadows form around his eyes and cheeks as well as his lips darkening and other skin tone changes. This is accomplished in the shot, not as some kind of blurry fade as is more typical in older movies. Seeing this in a modern movie you wouldn’t think twice about it, but this is 1931 and I’m puzzled as to how this was achieved in front of the camera in an unbroken shot.

Does anybody know how they did it?

[–] Valerian (-274) a year ago

They did this effect using a process called the "Red Light, Green Light" effect, which can only be done in black and white. They put red makeup on the actor, Fredric March, and placed him under a light that could turn from red to green. In black and white, red makeup in a red light looks invisible to the camera. However, when the light turned green, the makeup turned black which, in black and white, looked like shadows were fading in to his face.

[–] mudsharkbytes (170) a year ago

I figured it had to be something along those lines but it was quite startling and effective.

[–] Valerian (-274) a year ago

It's a proper magic trick which people couldn't figure out for decades until someone from the production revealed it in the 60s. Brilliant.

[–] liscarkat (18541) a year ago

Wow, an intelligent, interesting answer on Movie Chat! Thanks!