This classic ‘tale of the London fog’ has long been recognised, not least by its director, as ‘the first true Hitchcock movie’. Inspired by a play and novel about Jack the Ripper, Hitchcock’s second feature and first suspense film anticipated his interest in erroneous accusations and his increasingly expert play with point of view. After a remarkably dynamic first 15 minutes beginning with a blonde’s murder and charting the responses of police, press and public, the story proper starts with the emergence from the fetid city fog of a mysterious stranger (Ivor Novello) keen to rent a room in the home of golden-haired fashion model Daisy. Despite her detective boyfriend’s objections, Daisy takes to the handsome newcomer, to the consternation of her mother who’s troubled by her tenant’s nocturnal outings…
