Elstree Calling

John Maxwell Building, Elstree Studios. Photo: © Paul Burton

Blackmail At Elstree:

Alfred Hitchcock's best-remembered British International Pictures (BIP) film, Blackmail, was significant as it was the first full-length speech-based film made in Britain.

Nowadays, with everyone able to get video clips even on mobile phones, it must be hard for younger people to comprehend the profound and exciting effect the arrival of sound had back in the Twenties and Thirties in the world of cinema.

The effect on filmmakers was also clear, especially those at BIP, to whom it presented new challenges - not least studios owner John Maxwell, who did not jump straight into sound as people expected, but was willing to embrace it - thus resulting in the new production of Blackmail.

The future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth even tip-toed their way on to the stages to watch all of the action taking place on the primitive sound stage set up for the production of the film in 1929.

Although Hitchcock did not direct the 1930 film Elstree Calling - it was directed by Adrian Brunel and made at BIP the year after Blackmail - it is worth noting that he wrote most of the original material, which boasted an eclectic collection of film, theatre and radio performers of the era.

Most notable of those taking part was Tommy Handley, who achieved greater fame during the Second World War when he appeared in the catchphrase-laden radio show, ITMA (It's That Man Again).

Also among the cast members were Will Fyffe, Cicely Courtneidge, Jack Hulbert, Lily Morris and Gordon Harker, together with The Balalaika Choral Orchestra, The Adelphi Girls and The Charlot Girls.

The quality of those on the production team behind the camera was also note-worthy, with the 86-minute film benefiting from ensemble numbers staged by Jack Hulbert, Paul Murray and Andre Charlot. Lyrics were provided by Douglas Furber, Rowland Lee and Donovan Parsons, with music by Reg Cason and Ivor Novello.

Tommy Handley presented the film as if it were a live television broadcast from the BIP Elstree Studios. Indeed, the story was partly based around the ideas that a company was putting together a live television programme together.

But if cinemagoers in Britain were still stunned by the previous years' advances in film that had brought them sound, then they must have been equally amazed when Elstree Calling included certain items in colour, as some of the dance sequences were stencil-coloured.

© Paul Burton 2008

Related Video:

• Please click here to watch a video clip of Blackmail.
• Please click here to watch a video clip Elstree Calling.

Please do not reproduce any part of this article without first contacting Paul Burton to request permission.