This is the production that the director liked to think of as the first true Hitchcock film, though it took a while for him to make good on its promise.
An unknown serial killer is murdering blondes in London. A jittery Ivor Novello is the wrong man who the police and the public figure for the killer.
Hitch returned from Germany obviously influenced by expressionism, and FW Murnau in particular. There are many memorably visual images, like when the family of the landlord are discussing their new tenant, and the ceiling disappears to reveal the agitated Novello pacing in the room above.
This is a wonderful film, probably the best silent film made in the UK. It's full of riffs and motifs and that we would see again from the Master over the years (including a cameo from the director). It tells its story with great clarity and suspense, with many moments of humour and for the first time, his camera truly comes alive.
Terrible video quality on the DVD. Frame jumping around like a Unsteadicam wielded by a suffering crackhead. Nasty!
I'll give the Blu-ray a go instead.