JohnHowardReid
Not copyrighted in the U.S.A. where it was released by Amer-Anglo Corp. in 1928. U.K. release through W&F Film Service in September 1926. Original running time: approx. 100 minutes. SYNOPSIS: A new lodger acts suspiciously. Is it possible he's a Jack-the-Ripper killer?NOTES: Re-made, again with Novello in the lead, by director Maurice Elvey in 1932. Titled The Phantom Fiend in the U.S. Other re-makes: 1944 (John Brahm directing Laird Cregar); 1953 (Jack Palance directed by Hugo Fregonese, titled Man in the Attic); 2008 (Shane West directed by David Ondaatje). COMMENT: Although it no longer seems as innovative as when first released and although tension is somewhat undermined by the obvious fact that Ivor Novello could not possibly turn out to be the killer (even though the script most disappointingly presents no alternatives), The Lodger still packs enough ambiance and atmosphere to hold a modern audience's attention, especially in its original tinted version. Novello's "acting" is more "posing" than performing, and the other players are sometimes a mite too enthusiastic in their pantomiming, but these styles are pretty much par for 1926. Aside from the lavishly staged climax, production values are by no means over-extensive. (AVAILABLE on DVD in St Clair Vision's Hitchcock Collection. Quality rating: 7 out of ten).
Ian
(Flash Review)Regarded as Hitchcock's first true feature film, he brings a lot of cleverness, tension and intrigue to the story. A story about a serial killer known as the Avenger who is speculated to be wearing a scarf. One day, during the London Fog, a man with a scarf comes knocking looking for lodging where a room is for rent. The woman hesitantly rents him a room but becomes increasingly suspicious. Has she just rented a room to a serial killer or is she being overly worried? Will the lodger be treated normally during his stay especially when he starts to fancy the woman's daughter? Hitchcock builds great suspense as the story unfolds with some creative camera trickery, effective POV shots all accompanied by stellar and moody cinematography. With this film, Hitchcock set the tone and themes for his outstanding film career.
jacobs-greenwood
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this silent feature is an early example of the director's skill in creating suspenseful situations while keeping a (spoiler) secret to the end. The cast is small, but it includes Ivor Novello in the title role, a popular matinée idol of the time.The story is very simple: a murderer who dubs himself "The Avenger", leaving a calling card on each of his victims, is killing young, fair haired women throughout London, usually on Tuesday nights. Although (certainly) not shown, nor described in any detail, it's intimated that this criminal does more than kill his victims, ala Jack the Ripper.Daisy Bunting (June Tripp) is a model who lives with her parents, and landlords, played by Marie Ault and Arthur Chesney. Her boyfriend Joe Chandler (Malcolm Keen) is a police detective assigned to the case. The question is whether Jonathan Drew (Novello), the very private man who rents a room from Buntings one dark and stormy (well, at least foggy) night, is "The Avenger".Jonathan Drew shows an interest in the attractive Daisy, but suspicion is cast upon him such that "we" are never quite sure whether it's a natural attraction or something more sinister, until near the end. Daisy returns Jonathan's advances, much to the dismay of her parents and police inspector boyfriend. Mrs. Bunting becomes particularly suspicious when Mr. Drew goes out, and comes back late, on a Tuesday evening when yet another fair haired girl (the eighth?) is murdered. Chandler, happy to have an excuse after being rebuffed by Daisy for Jonathan, comes to investigate and then discovers what he thinks is conclusive evidence of the lodger's guilt.Jonathan explains that the newspaper clippings about the murders he's been saving, and the map he has made of the crime locations, is due to the fact that his sister was one of the victims. Before he can be taken in, he escapes, in handcuffs. Even though the police discover that he's innocent, a violent mob catches up with Jonathan and begins to beat him; however, hanging over a fence by his cuffs, he is rescued before the vigilantes kill the innocent man.
Rainey Dawn
This is a film I've only heard and read a little about - not to mention seeing some stills and tiny clips - well, I'm finally viewing it for the for the first time in my life and I have to say this is an impressive film. The words that come to my mind are beautiful and eerie as two descriptive words for this gem. I understand why everyone is bragging about since I've seen it. I have to say it's too bad this film is not an early talkie because this would make a fantastic one - but something about this movie being silent seems to make the film all that more eerie.I tell ya if you want see any silent film at all - watch this one! While this film is not considered to be a horror film, I would put The Lodger (1927) in the class with Nosferatu (1922), London After Midnight (1927) or even Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920). I like this Hitchcock silent film so much better than his film The Ring (1927).Great movie - I've enjoyed watching it! 9/10
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