THE RING (1927)

In their indispensable career conversation book HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT, Alfred Hitchcock tips this film, his sixth as director, to François Truffaut as the second ‘real’ Hitchcock movie.  (THE LODGER/’27, three films earlier, being the first.*)   Thematically unHitchcockian in most ways (it’s a love triangle with a sports background), perhaps he meant it as the second film he was happy to put his name on.  Rightfully so as it’s a fine late silent, loaded with visual wit, imaginative montage sequences, associative dissolves & transitions (made in the camera back then, presumably by regular lenser Jack Cox); much influenced by German UFA house style and show-offy in a manner he’d soon refine.  The story mirrors E.A. Dupont’s VARIETÉ/’25, with boxing rivals taking over from trapeze artistes, and Hitch, in a rare writing credit, getting things off with an Amusement Park montage/prologue that leads to character intros for Carl Brisson’s One-Round Jack (a take-all-comers boxer), his ticket taking gal, later wife, Lillian Hall-Davies and reluctant challenger Ian Hunter.  Then, when the impossible happens and the underdog’s knockout causes positions to change in & out of the ring, it leaves Brisson to fight his way back for love & championship.  (Hunter is rather overshadowed by Brisson’s striking athleticism in what was effectively his film debut.  What a physical specimen!  And darn good in the part.)  The first reel of the third act bogs down a bit, but the rest holds up remarkably well, with an unexpectedly strong supporting cast that includes a few non-stereotypical Black actors rare for the period.  

READ ALL ABOUT IT: As mentioned: HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT.

SCREWY THOUGHT OF THE DAY/LINK/DOUBLE-BILL:  *Hitchcock always seemed a bit embarrassed by DOWNHILL/’27, his Ivor Novello led follow-up to THE LODGER.  An awfully good film to be embarrassed about!  Perhaps there’s some personal explanation to his dislike.  https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-lodger-1927.html   OR: Also mentioned above, E.A. Dupont’s VARIETÉ.