Alfred Hitchock's first sound film, "Blackmail", is actually a part- talkie. In fact, it commences with a lengthy silent sequence which in fact has really nothing at all to do with the subsequent plot.
This movie was once available on at least seven DVD labels. St Clair Vision had the best, a print as sharp and lustrous as the 35mm prints originally presented in theaters in 1929. I don't know if this print is still available, but hopefully it can still be purchased.
Forsaking his usual style of utilizing lots of grays with little or no contrast, Jack Cox's effective camera-work makes great use of blacks and shadows.
All told, the movie more than holds its own against similar Hollywood product at this time. True, Miss Anny Ondra does not always look super-attractive, but that fault likes mostly with her clothes, and particularly with her absolutely ridiculous cloche hat.
The dubbing is very skillful. John Longden comes across okay as the hero, but as usual, the villains (Donald Calthrop and Cyril Ritchard) register with viewers with much more panache than the good guys.
This movie was once available on at least seven DVD labels. St Clair Vision had the best, a print as sharp and lustrous as the 35mm prints originally presented in theaters in 1929. I don't know if this print is still available, but hopefully it can still be purchased.
Forsaking his usual style of utilizing lots of grays with little or no contrast, Jack Cox's effective camera-work makes great use of blacks and shadows.
All told, the movie more than holds its own against similar Hollywood product at this time. True, Miss Anny Ondra does not always look super-attractive, but that fault likes mostly with her clothes, and particularly with her absolutely ridiculous cloche hat.
The dubbing is very skillful. John Longden comes across okay as the hero, but as usual, the villains (Donald Calthrop and Cyril Ritchard) register with viewers with much more panache than the good guys.