BLACKMAIL
(1929)With Anny Ondra, Sara Allgood, Charles Paton, John Longden, Donald Calthrop, Cyril Ritchard
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Black and White
Reviewed by JL
Hitchcock's first
sound film (and, by some accounts, the first talking film produced in
Great Britain), BLACKMAIL is as creaky and static as most of the
earliest talkies, but contains some memorable images, some creative use
of the sound medium, and a well-executed chase finale through the
British Museum that was filmed on a miniscule budget utilizing mirrors
and trick photography. It was also the first use of dubbing, and
perhaps the only use of "live" dubbing, in film history. Leading
lady Anny Ondra had such a thick accent that Hitchcock employed actress
Joan Barry to speak her lines off-camera while Ondra mouthed
along. Hitchcock first filmed a silent version of BLACKMAIL,
later adding sound scenes at the behest of his producers. Those
who have seen both generally agree that the somewhat obscure silent
version is the stronger of the two. 
- JL
http://thestuffyougottawatch.com
Copyright © 2010 John V. Brennan, John Larrabee