The Lodger (1926/27)

I love silent films from the 20s because they are foundation on which every film made since has worked on and copied. That, and the are visual works of art -- every shot composed and flowing without almost any fault. "The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog" is from 1926/27 and is directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and it's a strikingly beautiful suspense film ... with a sappy ending that doesn't fit. (I'm glad to read on the Web that the Hitch wanted a downbeat ending but the studio refused. Oh, well, he tried.)

Here, a serial killer known as The Avenger is murdering blond women in London. Cut to our heroine Daisy (listed as just "June" in every credit I can find, a bit sexist, hey?) whose boarding house parents have just offered a room to let to the man of the title, Jonathan Drew (Ivor Novello). The lodger is mysterious, downright creepy at times, but also romantic and quite willing to pursue Daisy, much to the anger and dismay of Daisy's boyfriend/police detective (Malcolm Keen).

This has gorgeous cinematography, keen editing and pinpoint (written on card titles) dialogue. It's also a dead-on criticism of panic journalism, public hysteria, inept government and the poverty found even in the greatest of cities. This film would be a perfect 10 if not for its last-minute reversal to a false upbeat melodrama. Novello is mesmerizing, and his biography at Wikipedia more so. A