STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 850, 19 December 1929, Page 16

STRAND

“BLACKMAIL” TOMORROW Tomorrow the Strand will present one of the most interesting attractions of the year. This is the first big talkie from a British studio, “Blackmail,” which was made at the British International Studios at Elstree, b> Alfred Hitchcock and his cast of London stage players. , This picture lias been most enthusiastically reviewed throughout the whole world, and is a worthy attraction for the Christmas and holiday season. In “Blackmail” London is shown in its most glowing colours. The music, the dialogue are part and parcel of the picture and not an accompaniment. Sound, vision and dialogue are so equally and happily blended that neither one nor the other detracts from the atmosphere. “Blackmail” is the story of a little London girl, who after a slight quarrel with her detective sweetheart, foolishly out of pique, plays with fire and finds herself in a Chelsea artist’s studio. To defend her honour and in a state of fright and frenzy she kills the artist. Her glove, found in the studio by her lover, who is put on the case, falls into the hands of a cunning and subtle blackmailer. Anny Ondra, the loveliest and most exquisite blonde on the British screen, is the girl. She acts with her usual care-free lightheartedness and grace, the part of the bewitching, happy-go-lucky little flirt, who suddenly finds herself in a pitiless trap. John Longden as the detective lover, proves that he is not only an excellent actor, but possesses a fine speaking voice. As the blackmailer, Donald Calthrop gives a thrilling and sinister performance, which places him in a premier position among the screen actors of the world. His smug smile, his cultured accent—all gto to make an amazing study of the shady side of life. Several short talking and singing win be shown on the same programme.