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by Frank Showalter

Blackmail

C+: 3 stars (out of 5)
1929 | United Kingdom | 85 min | More...
Reviewed Jul 10, 2020

Alfred Hitchcock’s first sound picture. A Scotland Yard constable covers for his girlfriend after realizing she’s implicated in a murder. The two then fall afoul of a blackmailer. Hitchcock shot this silent then added the sound scenes later and it shows, but his formal mastery is still amazing. Love the rack focus reflection shot in the opening sequence.