DVD Review: Two early Hitchcock features from Kino Lorber

Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most important directors in film history, helping to create the language of cinema by successfully exploring creative avenues that others never considered. Films like "Shadow of a Doubt," "Strangers on a Train," "Rear Window," "Vertigo," "North By Northwest," and "Psycho" are among the greatest fims ever made.

Only some film buffs have spent much time with Hitchcock's earlier films in his native England. "The Lady Vanishes," "The 39 Steps," and the original version of "Man Who Knew Too Much," are among the earlier productions that have been given more than marginal attention.

Two important movies from this period in Hitchcock's career have been restored and released on separate blu rays/DVDs by Kino Lorber. Each has its own significance.

BLACKMAIL

Alfred Hitchcock's 1929 release is a landmark film in that it is considered the first British feature-length talkie. Hitchcock began filming "Blackmail" as a silent, and was told by the studio to add a six minute sound sequence to take advantage of the talking picture revolution. Hitch balked at throwing in on scene as a novelty, believing it would appear as a distraction. He instead filmed the entire feature as a sound film, with a separate silent version to be shown at theaters not equipped for sound projection. Kino Lorber's blu ray is a two disc set, offering both the silent and sound versions, fully restored. One of the oddest aspects of this film's sound production is that its leading lady, Anny Ondra, had a thick accent. Dubbing was a future technology at this time, so to remedy the problem, Hitch had British actress Joan Barry read Ondra's lines off screen while the actress on screen mouthed the words. It's a bit awkward, but in a production this early in sound film's infancy, it doesn't stand out. The plot deals with a woman killing a man who tries to assault her and her detective boyfriend attempting to cover for her. But a petty criminal has witnessed the murder and attempts to blackmail her. The film works as both a silent and a talkie, so having both versions to compare in the same set is helpful for a better understanding of Hitchcock during his earliest foray into suspense cinema. The set is also loaded with special features, including a commentary track by Tim Lucas, interviews between Hitchcock and Francois Truffaut, and Anny Ondra's screen test. The silent version is accompanied, by the Mono Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.

The blu ray is available at this link: Hitchcock's Blackmail.

MURDER

For his third suspense feature, Alfred Hitchcock chose to film an adaption of Clemence Dane's play "Enter Sir John," and retitling "Murder." This one features an actress who is convicted of killing another in the same touring company. An actor in the production is so convinced of her innocence, he sets out to solve the crime himself. Hitchcock also directed a German-language version of the play, entitled "Mary," and that is also included on this blu ray as a special feature. Other extras on this blu ray include audio commentary by Nick Pinkerton, audio from the Hitchcock-Truffaut interviews, and an alternate ending.

The blu ray is available at this link: Hitchcock's Murder

Alfred Hitchcock is a director whose every film demands to be seen. Having sharp, restored prints of his early British films, so important to film history, is quite commendable. The films are essential for all libraries and research centers, and highly recommended to fans and collectors.