A British International Picture, released in the U.K. through Wardour Films. Not copyrighted in the U.S.A., the film opened in New York on 24 December 1927. London trade show: October 1927. 112 minutes at correct speed. (Available on a 10/10 LaserLight DVD).
SYNOPSIS: Two professional boxers are in love with the same girl.
NOTES: "You might say that The Lodger was the first true Hitchcock movie. Well, The Ring was the second. No crime ingredients, but a really interesting movie. There were all sorts of innovations in it. The critics loved it, but it was not a commercial hit." — Alfred Hitchcock.
COMMENT: Dullsville. Admittedly, the climactic fight has a bit of zing, but it is way outclassed by dozens of fight films made subsequently, even though the principals do most of their own slugging. And such principals! Ian Hunter (who made a career of playing the good- mannered but dullsville "other suitor") is as ho- hum as ever, but Carl Brisson is likewise a bore. Gordon Harker, even at this early stage of his career, can't resist hamming up his role, while the support characters come across as little more than woeful caricatures.
True, the girl, the lovely Lillian Hall-Davis, makes a strong impression. And yes, there are some pleasing Hitchcockian touches but not enough to justify sitting through this film. Despite Miss Hall-Davis's pleasing performance and a fair-sized budget which allows Jack Cox some typically atmospheric cinematography, watching The Ring is something of a chore.
SYNOPSIS: Two professional boxers are in love with the same girl.
NOTES: "You might say that The Lodger was the first true Hitchcock movie. Well, The Ring was the second. No crime ingredients, but a really interesting movie. There were all sorts of innovations in it. The critics loved it, but it was not a commercial hit." — Alfred Hitchcock.
COMMENT: Dullsville. Admittedly, the climactic fight has a bit of zing, but it is way outclassed by dozens of fight films made subsequently, even though the principals do most of their own slugging. And such principals! Ian Hunter (who made a career of playing the good- mannered but dullsville "other suitor") is as ho- hum as ever, but Carl Brisson is likewise a bore. Gordon Harker, even at this early stage of his career, can't resist hamming up his role, while the support characters come across as little more than woeful caricatures.
True, the girl, the lovely Lillian Hall-Davis, makes a strong impression. And yes, there are some pleasing Hitchcockian touches but not enough to justify sitting through this film. Despite Miss Hall-Davis's pleasing performance and a fair-sized budget which allows Jack Cox some typically atmospheric cinematography, watching The Ring is something of a chore.