Why Alfred Hitchcock once dismissed his own 1928 silent comedy as having no story
In short: Before he became the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock directed Champagne, a 1928 silent comedy that even he later disowned. While critics praised his evolving visual techniques, they found the narrative hollow. It remains a curious artifact of his early career, recently restored to preserve his cinematic legacy for future generations.
Released in 1928, Champagne was Alfred Hitchcock's second attempt at comedy, following the success of The Farmer's Wife. Starring Betty Balfour, Gordon Harker, and Jean Bradin, the film follows a wealthy heiress whose father fabricates a financial ruin to teach her a lesson about her boyfriend's intentions. Despite the elaborate premise, the film was poorly received by contemporary audiences and critics alike.
The primary criticism leveled against the production was its lack of substance. Variety famously dismissed the film, noting that its weak story served merely as an excuse to fill 7,000 feet of celluloid with close-ups and legs. Hitchcock himself was remarkably candid about his dissatisfaction with the project. In his famous book-length interview with François Truffaut, the director admitted that the film simply lacked a compelling story to tell.
Despite its initial failure, the film has gained historical significance as part of Hitchcock's body of work. In 2012, the British Film Institute included Champagne in its £2 million 'Save the Hitchcock 9' project, which aimed to restore all of the director's surviving silent films. While the movie was frequently bootlegged in the past, it is now available through various licensed restorations on Blu-ray, DVD, and video-on-demand platforms. As of 1 January 2024, the film has entered the public domain in the United States, allowing for broader access to this early, albeit flawed, chapter of Hitchcock's career.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Champagne (1928 film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-champagne-1928-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
