One of my favorite stories is The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Let me be completely honest, my first true introduction to the story was the musical Jekyll and Hyde (music by Frank Wildhorn; book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse).

Yes, many musical lovers look down on Wildhorn’s musicals. I never understood it. Maybe it’s one of those situations where you had to be there in order to “get it”. I was there. I was a teenager when the musical premiered. I loved every second of it. I still love every second of it, no matter which version of the musical you are watching (it’s a long story). I digress, though. My love for the musical prompted me, as a lover of all things books, to read the source material. I loved it, as well! Fantastic read! I recommend it!

Once I read the source material, I always meant to watch the various films based on that story. If you ask me to name which ones I have seen, I can only really name one – the 1920 silent film starring John Barrymore (yes, Drew’s grandfather, pictured above). The film is horrifying in all the best ways. Just look at the interpretation of Mr. Hyde above. Look really, freakin’ deep into his eyes. That is the stuff of nightmares. If you put that Mr. Hyde at one end of an alleyway and Max Schreck’s Count Orlok (aka Nosferatu) at the other end, I’m going to find a way to Spiderman my way out of there!

This year, I want to explore this story and all the versions of it that came after. Starting with the original story (and I find it criminal that I somehow don’t own a copy anymore), then moving to film, television, musicals, and other literature (e.g., inspired by or retellings).

Let’s see how much I can cover in 2026. If it goes well, maybe I’ll choose another “every version of” for next year!

“‘eaven I fancy, ‘as no place for me!
And I can find hell on my own!”

– Lucy Meets Hyde (Jekyll & Hyde, Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse)

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