- The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog is Alfred Hitchcock's oldest, complete, surviving film (The Pleasure Garden was actually filmed earlier, but released later.) Some aspects of the film have since become exemplary of the director; A man is wrongfully accused, blondes are menaced, and yes, there's even a woman in the bathroom. At other times, the director seems to be channeling Fritz Lang, utilizing plenty of stark close-ups and a token madding crowd. Regardless, the film is a fairly enjoyable murder mystery and an impressive first offering from the man who would later become "the master of suspense."
- The story is set in London, where a serial killer known as "The Avenger" is stalking the streets. The population is in an uproar, growing ever more thrilled and terrified as each new victim surfaces. In the meantime, a mysterious new lodger takes up residence at the humble home of Mr. & Mrs. Bunting (Arthur Chesney & Marie Ault). Although his strange personality quirks, including an odd aversion to portraits of blonde women, are somewhat offputting, the Buntings' daughter Daisy (June) slowly becomes enamored of the man, much to the chagrin of her boyfriend Joe (Malcolm Keen). One night, Mrs. Bunting observes the lodger sneaking out of the house, and another of The Avenger's victims is discovered nearby the following day. Could this odd fellow be the scourge of London?
- As is often the case in this type of film, the evidence so overwhelmingly implicates the lodger that, for the film to be interesting, his innocence is practically required. Although his carefully hidden picture of the first victim would seem to indicate guilt, in fact the lodger is himself an avenger of a different sort. To everyone's surprise, he is trying to hunt down the real killer because the first victim was the lodger's sister. Of course, this subtle point is lost on the impressively volatile crowd that ensnares him, but fortunately a well-timed newspaper delivery reveals that the true killer has been caught. Thank goodness for the evening edition, I suppose. So concludes Hitchcock's first, but thankfully far from last, foray into the world of suspenseful cinema.
- Apparently, Hitchcock shows up in the newspaper office. I didn't spot him.
