One of my all time favorites.

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

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).

it is a real special film. first - for the status of early Hitchcock. the second - for Ivor Novello performance who seems be more than a good one but the right piece for the balance of film. the story is predictable and this fact did it charming. because old themes are mixed with smart images. because the romanticism and the touching scenes reminds the popular literature of XIX century. because it is fresh and naive and seductive and dark. and because it is a fascinating clue for discover the art of its director in new and interesting perspective.

This is the first Alfred Hitchcock film to address crime and murder. Hitchcock made other films in the silent era but this one feels like a Hitchcock one. This is the plot. A mysterious man (Ivor Norvello) has recently begun to live in this inn. The inn's landlady (Marie Ault) is worried that he may be "the avenger", who is a serial killer that preys on blonde women, when he starts spending time with her daughter (June Tripp). The daughter also has a police officer boyfriend (Malcom Keen) who has similar suspicions towards the lodger. Eventually the lodger is revealed as innocent and they have to clear his name before an angry mob kills him. The movie takes a while to get going, and although I don't usually mind that, in this film I just kept wondering what it was all building up to. But it's all worth it for the end which I think is the best part of the movie. I was interested in seeing Hitchcock's first attempt at a crime drama and the credits roll and I feel satisfied.

The Lodger is not without its faults, the music does feel too bombastic at times and the ending is too tacky and too conventional. However, the film looks great, the foggy atmosphere, crisp black and white photography and expressionistic images add a lot to the suspense and story and enhances it too as well as holding up terrifically well. There's also a scene with Novello and June's kiss, and it is beautifully done. The story, loosely based on the infamous Jack the Ripper, is suspenseful and compelling with the suspenseful moments appropriately eerie. There are a few darkly funny moments too that are done subtly and the thriller aspects do thrill and are done audaciously. Hitchcock directs splendidly and in his distinctive style helped by a story that serves him well, the innocent in danger theme was a favourite of his and it shows. The acting is good, Ivor Novello especially in a performance that is ambiguous and creepy but also extravagant and sympathetic. June is alluring and Malcolm Keen has a character that is not as sympathetic and he doesn't hold back. Marie Ault and Arthur Chesney give solid support. All in all, a great film, the best of Hitchcock's silent films and possibly one of the best silent films as well. 9/10 Bethany Cox