About The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog

The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog is a 1927 silent film, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and based on a story by Marie Belloc Lowndes. The film revolves around the story of a serial killer in London and a family who comes to suspect that their lodger may be the murderer.

In the film, a mysterious man arrives and asks for lodging, just as news breaks out about a serial killer dubbed “The Avenger” who targets young blond women. The family's daughter, a blonde model, grows close with the lodger, causing worry amongst her family and her detective boyfriend.

Making / Production

The Lodger marked Hitchcock’s third directed film but is widely recognized as the first “Hitchcockian” film. It features his first example of a "wrong man" theme, a plotline found throughout his films. Additionally, the film exists as a preserved piece of British Film Institute’s National Archive.

Actors

• Marie Ault as The Landlady - Portrayed a woman torn between fear, suspicion and concern for her lodger.
• Arthur Chesney as her Husband - Delivered a splendid performance of a man disturbed by the mystery surrounding the lodger.
• June Tripp as Daisy Bunting, their Daughter - Played an innocent and love stricken young woman.
• Ivor Novello as Jonathan Drew, The Lodger - Captivated viewers with his intriguing and mysterious performance.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This film is considered Hitchcock’s first suspense film.
• The initial script was changed by Hitchcock to leave the audience in doubt about the lodger's guilt or innocence.
• Hitchcock makes one of his customary cameo appearances in the newsroom scene.

Quotes

• “To-night golden curls.” - Title card quote typically seen before “The Avenger” strikes again.
• “I say - it’s a bit uncanny. Your stepping in like this just as we were speaking of it.” – The Landlady, shocked when the Lodger first enters.

Music, Soundtrack

• A brand new score was created for the movie by Nitin Sawhney when the restored version was released.