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Arrest Bulldog Drummond (1938) movie poster

Timeline

Arrest Bulldog Drummond (1938) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1938 · 58 mins · English
Directed by
James P. Hogan
Starring
Reginald Denny, Steve Clemente, Heather Angel, Claud Allister, Ferdinand Munier, Neil Fitzgerald

A deadly, invisible force strikes from a distance, accompanied by a mysterious flickering light and a woman who witnesses a murder before disappearing. Bulldog Drummond tackles his most challenging case when a new device capable of causing remote explosions draws the interest of Scotland Yard and places Drummond at the center of the suspense.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Arrest Bulldog Drummond
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Arrest Bulldog Drummond (1938)

Where can you watch Arrest Bulldog Drummond? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, IndieFlix and Fawesome: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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13 events in order · contains spoilers

Arrest Bulldog Drummond Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Arrest Bulldog Drummond (1938) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Wedding plans in London

    Bulldog Drummond and Algy Longworth are in London, preparing for Bulldog's wedding to Phyllis. The mood is hopeful as they finalize arrangements, but their plans are interrupted by a looming mystery. Their camaraderie sets the stage for the adventure to come.

    When
    pre-wedding morning
    Where
    London
  2. Murder at Gannett's house

    They arrive at Richard Gannett's house to find the eccentric inventor dead. Gannett dies after warning them to beware The Stinger, and the prototype death ray is missing. The discovery turns their holiday into a dangerous investigation.

    When
    afternoon
    Where
    Gannett's house
  3. Reporting to Scotland Yard

    Bulldog and Algy report the murder and the theft of the death ray to Scotland Yard. The case is complicated when a dockyard knife fight makes Bulldog a prime suspect. The investigation becomes perilous from the start.

    When
    afternoon
    Where
    Scotland Yard
  4. Release and the missing stingray

    Bulldog is released for lack of evidence and heads to the London Botanical Gardens. There he discovers that a loaned stingray is missing, a clue tied to The Stinger. The loss deepens the mystery and links the case to animal and device theft.

    When
    evening
    Where
    London Botanical Gardens
  5. The Stinger's threat

    A threatening note from The Stinger warns Bulldog to drop the investigation. The message escalates the danger and signals a personal vendetta against him. The hunter becomes the hunted as events close in.

    When
    evening
    Where
    London
  6. Death ray near flickering lights

    Drummond deduces that the death ray is likely positioned near areas with flickering lights. He teams up with Algy and Tenny to follow the clues. The trio becomes a target as their movements draw the killer’s attention.

    When
    night
    Where
    London (areas with flickering lights)
  7. Framed by proximity to the targets

    Bulldog, Algy, and Tenny are found near the machine's target zones, which leads authorities to suspect them. They must clear their names while continuing to chase the real mastermind. The stakes rise as the plot tightens around them.

    When
    night
    Where
    Near the death ray target zones
  8. Cruise ship pursuit

    Bulldog pursues a lead to a cruise ship and spots Phyllis leaving, which makes him think she may have been jilted. He also encounters The Stinger, who is revealed to be the spy Rolf Alferson aboard the vessel. The pursuit shifts the chase to the high seas.

    When
    during the pursuit
    Where
    Cruise ship
  9. Return to Scotland Yard

    Bulldog returns to Scotland Yard to report what he has learned and to coordinate the next steps with the police. The strands of the case begin to converge around Alferson. Tension rises as the clock ticks toward a confrontation.

    When
    late
    Where
    Scotland Yard
  10. Phyllis suspects Alferson

    Phyllis becomes suspicious of Alferson after a fake letter addressed to her is revealed to be written by Alferson himself. The deception confirms Alferson’s duplicity and pushes her toward investigating the truth. Trust begins to rebuild between her and Bulldog.

    When
    late
    Where
    London
  11. Reconciliation and alliance

    Bulldog and Phyllis reconcile and join forces to stop Alferson. They set aside their misunderstandings to focus on stopping the death ray plot. Their united front strengthens the effort against the villain.

    When
    final confrontation
    Where
    London
  12. Algy and Tenny captured at the deal

    Algy and Tenny are captured while trying to foil Alferson's attempt to sell the death ray to a foreign power. The capture raises the stakes and shows the scale of Alferson’s operation. The plan is almost ready for its deadly exchange.

    When
    final stages
    Where
    Dockside/deal location
  13. Confrontation and arrest

    Bulldog intervenes as the deal goes down, a fight erupts, and authorities arrive to arrest Alferson and his gang. The death ray is recovered and the criminals are brought to justice. The danger is ended as peace returns to London.

    When
    finale
    Where
    Dockside / deal location

Last updated: February 24, 2026 at 09:26

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Timeline questions answered

Arrest Bulldog Drummond Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Arrest Bulldog Drummond (1938): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Who is The Stinger?

The Stinger is Rolf Alferson, a foreign spy who murdered inventor Richard Gannett to steal his death-ray prototype. Alferson uses the name 'The Stinger' as his criminal alias, which connects to the stolen stingray from the botanical gardens that serves as his calling card.

  • rolf alferson
  • the stinger
  • spy
  • death ray thief
Q2

Why was Bulldog Drummond framed for murder?

Bulldog was framed because he was getting too close to uncovering the death-ray theft. The real killer, Rolf Alferson, arranged for Bulldog to be present at a dockyard knife-fight and positioned him near the death-ray attack zones to make him appear guilty. This eliminated Bulldog as a threat to Alferson's espionage operation.

  • bulldog drummond
  • framed
  • murder
  • alfy longworth
Q3

How does the death ray work in the film?

The death ray is a prototype electric device invented by Richard Gannett that can cause remote explosions from a distance. Its power is centered around locations with flickering lights, which serves as the key clue that helps Bulldog track down the device's position. The spy ring plans to sell it to a foreign power.

  • death ray
  • invention
  • richard gannett
  • remote explosion
Q4

Why is the villain called The Stinger?

The villain is called The Stinger because he steals a stingray from the London Botanical Gardens and uses it as his calling card. The missing stingray links directly to his identity as The Stinger and serves as a crucial clue that connects the murder to the broader espionage plot.

  • stingray
  • botanical gardens
  • the stinger
  • clue
Q5

Why did Phyllis think Bulldog had jilted her?

Phyllis received a fake letter supposedly from Bulldog, written by Rolf Alferson, telling her that Bulldog was jilting her. This deception caused her to leave on the cruise ship believing Bulldog had abandoned her. When the truth came out, she reconciled with Bulldog and joined forces to stop Alferson.

  • phyllis clavering
  • fake letter
  • alferson
  • reconciliation
Q6

How did Bulldog find the death ray location?

Bulldog deduced that the death ray was positioned near areas with flickering lights, which provided the power source for the device. He and Algy tracked these locations to identify where The Stinger was operating, eventually leading to the cruise ship and the final confrontation.

  • flickering lights
  • death ray location
  • investigation
  • alfy
Q7

Why did Rolf Alferson kill Richard Gannett?

Rolf Alferson killed inventor Richard Gannett to steal his death-ray prototype. Gannett had built a revolutionary electric device with the potential to revolutionize warfare, and Alferson wanted to sell it to a foreign power for profit. He murdered Gannett before the device could be protected or disclosed to authorities.

  • richard gannett
  • murder
  • espionage
  • foreign power
Q8

How do Bulldog and Phyllis reconcile?

Bulldog and Phyllis reconcile after Phyllis discovers that Alferson wrote the fake jilt letter, exposing his deception. Realizing she was manipulated, she teams up with Bulldog to help stop the death-ray sale. Their reconciliation strengthens the team's resolve for the final confrontation.

  • phyllis clavering
  • reconciliation
  • team up
  • alferson deception

Movie threads

More Movies Like Arrest Bulldog Drummond, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Arrest Bulldog Drummond tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Classic Detective Stories with a Race Against Time like in Arrest Bulldog Drummond

A lone hero unravels a high-stakes conspiracy under a ticking clock. If you enjoyed the classic detective work and urgent pacing of Arrest Bulldog Drummond, you'll like these other mystery thrillers. This list features sharp-witted heroes unraveling conspiracies against the clock, perfect for fans of steady-paced investigative action and satisfying resolutions.

  • investigative
  • suspenseful
  • race against time
  • thrilling
  • mysterious
  • action-packed
  • Tone: tense, investigative
  • Pacing: steady, linear
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically begin with a disruptive event, like a murder or theft, which introduces a larger conspiracy. The protagonist follows a linear trail of clues, facing obstacles and misdirection, leading to a final showdown where the villain is unmasked and the threat is neutralized. The structure is straightforward and satisfying, emphasizing problem-solving and a clear victory for justice.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a classic, no-frills approach to the mystery genre. The focus is on a competent, charismatic hero, a puzzling central case with high stakes, and a steady pace that builds suspense without excessive complexity. They deliver a familiar yet gripping experience centered on intellect and action.

Espionage Tech Thrillers like Arrest Bulldog Drummond

Where shadowy agents and advanced weaponry create a web of international danger. For viewers who liked the weapon theft and spy ring plot of Arrest Bulldog Drummond, this list features similar stories of espionage and advanced technology. Discover more movies where heroes confront shadowy agents and deadly inventions, capturing that specific blend of mystery and thrilling action.

  • espionage
  • mysterious
  • suspenseful
  • weapon of mass destruction
  • government conspiracy
  • intrigue
  • Tone: tense, mysterious
  • Pacing: steady, suspenseful
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a MacGuffin—a powerful new weapon or technology—that becomes the object of desire for a spy ring or criminal organization. The hero's investigation reveals a web of deception and hidden identities, leading to a climax where the weapon's destructive potential must be stopped. The journey is as much about uncovering the conspiracy as it is about the physical threat.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their core focus on espionage and the high-stakes threat posed by a revolutionary or dangerous technology. They share a tense, mysterious mood where the enemy is often a hidden network, requiring the hero to be both detective and action star to prevent catastrophe.

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Every angle

Arrest Bulldog Drummond (1938) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Arrest Bulldog Drummond in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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