Lost Film Found (well half anyway...)

THE WHITE SHADOW-1924-Although Graham Cutts is the credited director, the assistant director, editor, set designer and scenarist are all credited to one man: Alfred Hitchcock, a year before he directed his first film.

This film was long thought to be lost but an incomplete print (only 3 of it's 6 reels were located) was found in New Zealand. A lot happens and this new version uses title cards to explain what's missing (most importantly the ending!). It's a tale of two sisters, one bad and one good both played by American actress Betty Compson. Murder, a case of mistaken identity (deliberately caused by the twins) and a gambling hall called "The Cat That Laughs" figure in the plot. Clive Brook (who played Sherlock Holmes in 3 early sound films) and Henry Victor (WHITE ZOMBIE) are also in it.

I found it ironic that I watched this after posting ESCORT GIRL which Compson (at the time of SHADOW a box office star) starred in many years later!

Thanks for reading!

Exploitation Movie For A Christmas Night

ESCORT GIRL-1941-A sleazy guy named Breezy Nolan (Guy Kingsford) runs an escort service but the real owners are Greg (Wheeler Oakman) and Ruth (Betty Compson) who oversee the operation while running a respectable cafe'. Ruth's daughter June (Margaret Marquis) pays a surprise visit with her fiance' Drake (Robert Kellard) who's going to work for the DA in bringing down the escort service. Of course June has no idea of her mother covert actions. Drake manages to get a job with the service (undercover). Through a big mix up Drake winds up thinking June is working as an escort. She wants to expose Greg as the leader of the illegal activities but when he reveals who his partner is June relents. Greg gets her drunk (she's pretty funny boozed up!) and Ruth freaks out when she finds them together. When Drake and Greg fight it out Ruth is shot and Greg falls out a window. Ruth confesses the truth and the couple live happily ever after.

The direction and acting are sub-par but the fights are entertainingly bad and the print I saw was choppy. It's the only director credit for Edward E. Kaye.

Thanks for reading!