# Blackmail (film)

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Cast and Crew :
| Cast ||
| Role | Actor |
| | Anny Ondra |
| | John Longden |
| | Cyril Ritchard |
| | Sara Allgood |
| | Donald Calthrop |
| | Alfred Hitchcock |
| | Joan Barry |
| Crew ||
| Production company | Associated British Picture Corporation |
| Director | Alfred Hitchcock (d. 1980) |
| Producer | John Maxwell (d. 1940) |
| Screenwriter | Michael Powell (d. 1990), Alfred Hitchcock |
| Cinematographer | Jack E. Cox (d. 1960), Ronald Neame (d. 2010), Michael Powell |
| Editor | Emile de Ruelle |
| Composer | Jimmy Campbell and Reg Connelly |
| Based on available information, the latest crew member that is relevant to international copyright laws died in 2010, meaning that this film may be in the public domain in countries and jurisdictions with 14 years p.m.a. or less, as well as in the United States. ||
BRITISH BOARD OF FILM CENSORS
80-82 WARDOUR ST. W.I.
This is to Certify
British International Pictures Ltd
presents
BLACKMAIL
From the play by CharlesBennett
Directed and Adapted
by
ALFRED HITCHCOCK
| Dialogue by Benn Levy | Photography by Jack Cox |
| Art Director W. C. Arnold | Assistant Director Frank Mills |
| Film editor Benn Levy ||
Musical score by Campbell & Conelly
Compiled and Arranged by Hubert Bath and Harry Stafford
British International Symphony Orchestra
Conductor John Reynders
Recorded by the R. C. A. Photophone system
A BRITISH INTERNATIONAL PICTURE
made and recorded at Elstree, London
Distributed by Wardour Films Ltd
Metrolopolitan Police.
New Scotland Yard, S.W.I.
NEW
SCOTLAND YARD
METROPOLITAN POLICE
PRISONERS
IDENTIFICATION PARADES
An accused person in Police custody whom it is proposed to put with other persons for identification is to be informed:—
(1) That he or she will be placed among a number of persons as far as possible of similar age, height, general appearance and class of life as himself or herself, and no intimation as to the identity of the accused will be given to the witnesses.
(2) That he or she has a right to stand in any position in the ranks and to object to any of the persons selected or the arrangements made; any such objection should be made to the officer conducting the identification.
(3) That he or she is entitled and may if desired have a Solicitor or any friend present at the identification, but it must be distinctly understood that such a person may not in any way interfere by action or words with the proceedings.
BAIL
CHARGE ROOM
| Division A | CHARGE SHEET |
CELLS
Detective Frank Webber Well, we finished earlier than either of us expected.
The Chief Inspector Are you going anywhere?
Frank I don't think so.
Frank So the next time, I changed to another tailor, but I found out he was no better than the first. I bought some pretty expensive trousers and you should've seen the mess he made of it. I told him I wouldn't pay for the thing. The trouble is he got my material!
Chief Inspector Well, that was stupid. Wish I could have been there to see it.
Chief Inspector Good evening, Miss White. How are you?
Alice White I'm all right, thanks.
Chief Inspector I haven't seen you for a long time.
Have you come to take Frank for a walk?
Alice Yes.
Chief Inspector That's right.
Chief Inspector Well, I must push along. Good night.
Alice Good night.
Chief Inspector Good night, Frank.
Frank Well dear.
Alice I've been waiting here half an hour for you.
Frank Good night, John.
John Good night, Frank!
Porter Sorry sir. Full up here. More room upstairs.
Frank Aaaahh.
Porter I think I told you there was more room upstairs!
Sorry sir. Full up here. More room up—Hey!
Alice Frank! I've lost one of my gloves! I think I left it at the other table!
Frank Is this it?
Alice Yes, Frank.
Frank Thought so. There's a hole in two fingers. Would you like a pair of nail scissors for Christmas?
Alice Funny, aren't you?
Frank Oh Miss! Miss!
Alice There's no good being impatient; you have to wait your turn.
Frank What's the matter with you today? Got out of bed the wrong side?
Alice I don't like waiting around for you.
Frank Oh, don't you?
Oh, Miss!
Do you expect the entire machinery of Scotland Yard to be held up for you?
Alice You and your Scotland Yard. If it weren't for Hand or Wallace, nobody would have ever heard of it!
Frank Funny, aren't you?
Frank Anyways, what's the hurry? We're only going to the pictures. We've got all evening.
Alice Well, I don't think I want to go to the pictures.
Frank Oh, and why not?
Alice I've seen everything worth seeing.
Frank You haven't seen Finger Prints. I'd like to see that. Still, it's about Scotland Yard. Might be amusing. They might get all the details wrong.
Alice I don't see why. I did hear they got a real criminal to direct it. So as to be on the safe side.
Frank Oh, oh, Miss! Miss!
I'll be here on Tuesday at 6:30. Will you?
Frank Well, I've ordered.
Alice I'll go to the pictures with you, if you like.
Frank Oh, you've changed your mind.
Frank Have you got an ashtray, Miss?
I won't ever seem to get an ashtray where I sit.
Alice Frank, Frank, I've changed my mind again.
Frank What about?
Alice About going to the pictures.
Frank You mean you don't want to go again?
Alice No, not particularly.
Frank Why not?
Alice I don't know. I just don't want to. Isn't that enough?
Frank No, it's not enough. Miss!
Alice What are you going to do?
Frank I'm gonna get the bill. I'm about fed up with you. If you don't want to go; I do.
Alice Oh, alright. I'll come too.
Frank Hi, Miss!
Alice Oh don't lets have a row. I know I've been rather beastly today.
Frank Miss!
Alice Frank! I've said I'm sorry.
Frank Here. That'll cover it.
The Artist (Mr Crewe) Hold on. I live here.
Alice Then you needn't come any further.
Crewe But I said I'd see you home, and I will.
Alice But I only just live 'round the corner.
Do you know White? The newsagent?
Crewe Yes.
Alice In the Kings road?
Crewe Yes.
Alice That's my father.
Crewe No?
Alice Yes!
Crewe Then let's say, that we're neighbours.
Crewe Have you ever seen an artist's studio?
Alice No. I'd love to!
Crewe Come up and see mine.
Alice Oh, I can't now. Another time!
Crewe Why not now?
Alice Well, it's so late.
Crewe Are you frightened?
Alice No, of course not.
Crewe Why not now?
Alice No, really. Thanks awfully. I'd like to get me home.
Crewe You are frightened.
Alice I'm certainly not.
It takes more than a man to frighten me.
Crewe That's what I thought ... at first.
Alice What is it now?
Crewe Not very late. Come on. What's the harm?
Alice Oh, no harm really. Besides, I always think a girl knows instinctively when she can trust a man.
Crewe Yes, of course you do. Do you trust me? Alice? May I call you Alice?
Alice If you like.
Crewe Come on.
Tracy Oh, Mr Crewe! Before you go in, could I ..?
Crewe Excuse me a minute.
Crewe That chap's nothing but a sponger. Always pestering people up and down the street.
Crewe Well, here we are. I'm right up there, top. Excuse me a minute, will you?
Crewe I say, I'm awfully sorry, I won't be a minute. You start walking up.
Alice That's all right.
Crewe Oh, good evening. Sorry to disturb you. Dr Snouth, did he leave me a message?
Landlady No, he wouldn't leave any message.
Crewe Have you seen him before?
Landlady Yes, the same gent who called here several times.
Crewe I see. Thanks very much. Good-night!
Crewe To the side of your head.
Alice What a lovely room!
Did you do it all yourself?
Crewe Hardly. I say, do you feel cold? I think I'll light the fire.
Alice I say; that's good, isn't it?
Crewe Oh that? Yes, it's a new one, just finished.
Alice Oh!
Alice How do you hold this?
Crewe What? Oh, that. That's easy. I'll show you.
No, no, not like that. Let me show you.
You take this, and you hold it like that, you see. Then, you get the brush and hold it there. You try.
Alice Like this?
Crewe Yes.
Alice Oh, look what I've done!
Crewe Oh! Yes. Draw something, Alice.
Alice Shall I?
Crewe Yes.
Crewe Rotten.
Nevermind, we'll finish this masterpiece together. Now you hold, hold the brush. Close your hand. Steady. There we are.
Alice Oh, you are awful.
Wait a minute! There.
Crewe Already a pick ahead of me.
I'll go and get those drinks.
Alice Right you are.
Alice I say, how would I do for one of your models?
Crewe That's an idea. Let me see it on you.
Alice Do you mean, put it on?
Crewe Yes, why not?
Alice Oh, it's so strong.
Crewe Go on.
Alice Oh no, I don't think so. Besides, I have to go home soon.
Crewe I see. I'd have liked to have sketched you in it.
Alice Would you have really?
Crewes Yes, but perhaps you are right. It wouldn't suit you.
Alice I bet it would.
Alice Shall I really try it on?
Crewe Yes, will you?
Alice All right.
Alice Do you think it will be big enough for me?
Crewe What?
Alice I said, do you think it'll be big enough for me?
Crewe Yes, I think so.
Alice Go on, play something.
Crewe Wait a minute, how does that thing go?
Crewe I know.
Crewe
Crewe And that's a song about you, my dear.
Alice You haven't said how you like it.
Crewe Marvellous.
Alice I can't do it up.
Crewe Wait a minute. Where is all this trouble?
Crewe I can't do it all up.
Alice Nevermind.
How do I look?
Crewe Well—
Now wait a minute. It isn't quite right.
Put your hands there. That's right.
Alice I'd better go.
Crewe I see.
Crewe I've got it.
Alice Please give it to me.
Crewe All right, come on out. Come on.
Alice Please.
Crewe Come on out of it.
Crewe There it is.
Crewe Don't be silly, Alice. Don't be silly.
Alice No! Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!
Let me go! No! No!
Let me go!
Interrogator Who did you say it was?
Landlady Mr Crewe.
Interrogator Mr Who?
Landlady No, Crewe I tell you! It's horrible!
Interrogator All right. Don't you worry. I'll send round right away. What number did you say? Seven? Or Eleven?
Landlady 31.
Interrogator 31?
Landlady What?
Interrogator 31?
Landlady No, no. 31.
Chief Inspector Ah, good. Just take a look around, will you?
Frank Right you are, sir.
Mrs. White Alice? Wake up. And you won't think I have been to sleep all night.
Mrs. White What do you think, there's been a murder last night, around the corner. They tell me the police are round there now.
Neighbour We'll all be murdered in our beds soon, I'm sure we will, because I don't think the police are what they were.
Neighbour Good morning, Alice. Heard about the murder?
Alice Yes, I've heard.
Do you remember Frank's telephone number dear?
Mr. White No, but here, you'll find it in the book.
Neighbour I mean, some murders are so different to others.
Neighbour Pushed his lady friend under the water when they was having a bath.
What was his name? You'd remember.
I think that was ever so beastly.
It gave me the shivers.
After I read about it, I didn't dare have a bath for a month.
And for weeks after that I only used to have a rinse-down.
What was his name? You'd remember. Smith, wasn't it?
Mr. White What's wrong, Alice? You don't look very chipper this morning.
Neighbour You do look a bit peeky, I must say.
Mrs. White Dad, Alice, breakfast.
Neighbour Good morning, Mr. White.
Mr. White Good morning, sir, good morning.
Neighbor Breakfast?
I got no blood in the face, after what happened last night. And under our very noses. Mind you, I don't thing myself it's altogether the police's fault. What I mean is they had to wink at some things. I mean, it's one thing to buy chocolate out of hours, but quite it's quite another to stick a knife into a gentleman. I must say I feel the same way about that too. A good, clean, honest whacker to be hit with a brick is one thing... There's something British about that. But knives? Nah, no, 'tis not right. I must say that's what I think and that's what I feel. Whatever the provocation, I could never use a knife! Now, mind you a knife is a difficult thing to handle... a knife... a knife... knife... your knife.
Mr. White Alice, cut us a bit of bread, will you?
Neighbour Knife... with a knife... knife... knife!.. come up here with a knife... I mean in Chelsea, you musn't use a KNIFE!
Mr. White Dear, you ought to be more careful! Might have cut somebody with that.
Mr. White Customer.
Customer No news of the murder yet?
Alice No, not yet.
Customer Thank you. Good-morning.
Neighbour Well, I must be going. I can't stand here gossiping all day like some people. Chatter, chatter, chatter... give them a chance to go on about other people's business, and they'll take it.
Mr. White What's the matter, Alice? Had another row with Frank?
Mr. White Another customer, Alice.
Frank Good morning, Alice.
Mr. White Dear, it's Frank. Hello, Frank.
Mr. White I say, have you heard about our murder?
Frank Yes. They put me on it.
Mr. White Have they? That's good isn't it? Well, I hope you get him, Frank!
Neighbour If they do, that will mean motion, won't it? You reckon you'll get him soon?
Frank Well, uh, I don't know.
Frank Well, I came in here to phone.
Mr. White That's all right.
Frank Alice, come here a minute, will you?
Neighbour Well, I must be going now. Goodbye, Mr. White.
Mr. White Goodbye.
Neighbour Now, you two!
Frank Shhh. Be careful. What happened last night?
Frank Why don't you tell me?
Frank Look. Do you know where I found this?
Frank Is there any piece of evidence that you were there? I am keeping it back at present.
For God's sake, say something!
Tracy If you're not using the phone; may I?
I want to get on to Scotland Yard.
Frank How say!
Tracy I want the best cigar in the shop.
Mr. White Certainly, sir.
Would you like to telephone while I go down?
Tracy No thanks. I can wait.
Alice What does he mean?
Mr. White Very well, sir. Now, what sort of a cigar would you like, sir?
I've got, uh, I've got Henry Clay, or, uh, Corona?
Tracy Corona.
Mr. White Certainly, sir.
Tracy Any news of the murder?
Mr. White No, nothing yet. Have you heard anything?
Frank No, no news.
Tracy Are you... quite sure?
Frank What the hell of a business is yours anyway?
Tracy You know, I looked everywhere for that other glove last night. But of course you detectives are better trained at finding these things.
Mr. White Ah, here we are sir!
Tracy Excuse me, will you?
Tracy Thank you. Well, they look good.
Mr. White Well, they ought to. I've had'em for years.
Mr. White Is it all right, sir?
Tracy Yes, I thought the top was broken, but it's all right.
Tracy Have you a light?
Mr. White Yes! Here you are.
Tracy How silly of me! Hadn't noticed it.
Mr. White Is it all right sir?
Tracy Oh! Of course! Sorry.
Tracy My god! Wait, could I...
I say, would you pay for this?
Mr. White Is this gentleman a friend of yours, Frank?
Tracy Well, we're not exactly friends. At least, not yet. But we're going to do a little business together, aren't we Frank?
Alice I'll look after the shop, father. You go and finish your paper.
Mr. White What for? Oh... All right, my dear. All right.
Tracy Rather unfortunate, that poor man who died around the corner last night.
Frank Look here you...
Tracy But perhaps it's rather fortunate that your little secret only came into the hands of a man like me. You know, there are some men who would make money out of a thing like that. What a chance for blackmail. Oh, oh that's awful. I couldn't do a thing like that.
Man Good morning, Miss. Two of each there.
Tracy By the way. You're a detective. Let me give you a tip. Don't wave important clues in telephone boxes. They've got glass doors. You know, detectives in glass houses, shouldn't wave clues.
Frank Come on, out with it. What do you want?
Tracy What do I want? Oh... Could really discuss that over breakfast.
Alice Mother, this is a friend of Frank's. Mr. ... uh...
Tracy Tracy.
Mrs. White Pleased to meet you.
Alice Mr. Tracy, would you like something to eat?
Tracy Thank you.
Tracy Lovely weather we're having.
Mr. White Yes, splendid.
Mrs. White Who did you say that was?
Alice He's a very important friend of Frank's. I'll get the breakfast for me.
Mr. White Here, I'm very rude. Won't you take my chair?
Tracy Oh, thanks.
Policeman Did you see, or hear, anything during the night?
Woman No, sir.
Policeman What time did you go to bed?
Woman At one hour ten, sir.
Policeman Did you write this?
Woman Yes.
Policeman How old would you say this man was?
Woman I'm afraid I couldn't tell you, sir. He had his hat on.
Policeman Did you notice anything particular about his clothes?
Woman Well, he had a black hat, and a loose kind of collar, a tie, and that's about all I think.
Policeman Was he dark or fair?
Woman Well, you couldn't say he was a blond and you couldn't say he was a brunette. He was a little bit of both, you know, kind of mousey.
Policeman Anything else?
Woman No. Except when he spoke to you, he went like this.
Policeman All right. Give me a record.
Policeman Well, bring him along! Let's hear what he's got to say. Understood?
Chief Inspector Yes sir.
Policeman Right, then along with it.
Tracy That'll do to go on with.
Mrs. White How much longer is that man going to stay? Don't tell me he'll be here till dinner.
Alice Don't make things awkward mother. It means a lot to him.
Mrs. White Well then, I don't see why they should carry on their business in my parlour.
Alice I'll take it.
Mrs. White Very well. But I don't like that man. The sooner he goes the better.
Frank Yes, you are very clever. I can see that all right.
Mr. White Frank? Just a minute, will you?
Mr. White A friend of yours from the Yard said he thought you might be here.
Frank Oh, all right.
Frank Hello? Yes. Yes. Well, I thought you wouldn't mind if... What? Who?
Mr. White Any news, Frank?
Frank Alice, lock that door.
Frank As you were saying... rather unfortunate the way that poor man round the corner died last night. On the other hand, perhaps it's fortunate. For us, that is... There's a suspicious looking man, with a criminal record, was seen hanging around the place.
Tracy You... Look here, don't you try and pin this thing on me. That won't get you anywhere.
Frank Also rather unfortunate, that Scotland Yard are at present looking for that man.
Alice I say, Frank!
Frank Just a minute, Alice.
Tracy But there's one thing you seem to have forgotten.
Frank Oh, and what's that?
Tracy Before we get to any hangings, I shall have quite a lot to say. And the first thing I shall say is, that she was there too.
Frank Oh, you will, will you? Isn't there one thing you seem to have forgotten, that our words are as good as, or perhaps a bit better ... than that of a jailbird.
Frank But we'll face that when the time comes.
Meanwhile, we'll just sit quietly here until the squad van arrives.
That surprises you, doesn't it?
Tracy No, that doesn't surprise me in the least.
When it comes, the surprise won't be for me.
Frank Very well then, we are both satisfied.
Tracy Yes, we are both satisfied.
It's my word against hers!
Alice Frank, you... you can't do this.
Frank Why not?
Alice Well, because...
Frank Now, now, don't interfere, Alice. I know what I'm doing.
Alice You don't! You don't!
Please, Frank.
Tracy Why can't you let her speak?
Frank You, mind your own business. In any case, she'll speak at the right moment.
Tracy Look here, Frank. Why can't we both of us chuck the whole thing now? I've got nothing against you, you've got nothing against me! I had some cash on me, but... I wasn't serious. Well look here, have it back now. Well can't you see, she wants to chalk it up too? And so do I you know. Look here Miss. You tell him. Tell him that he's playing with fire... and... And we'll all burn our fingers. I'm not bad really... I... Things have gone wrong lately, and one has got to live, you know. All right then. It's still my word against hers.
Frank That's it!
Tracy I say, it's not me you want, it's him! Ask him, why his own—
I am going to give myself up. I cannot bear the thought of that man being accused of something I have done.
Alice.
Policeman Hello. Not very often I see you so early in the day as this.
Called to see Frank?
Alice No. I want to see Inspector Ward.
Policeman Then you'll have to fill out one of these forms, you know.
Alice All right.
METROPOLITAN POLICE.
New Scotland Yard.
Name Ariel White
Business
To see Inspector Walls
Name of business Chelsea Murder
Date April 27 1929.
Policeman Do you know something about this?
Alice Yes.
Policeman George, just a minute.
Take this along to inspector Walls.
George Right you are.
Policeman Well I suppose you're going to tell him who did it, Miss.
Alice Yes.
George You can come along now.
Policeman Here you are, Miss.
Policeman Come in, please.
Inspector Walls Won't you sit down?
Walls You've something to tell us about this case?
Alice Yes.
Walls Well? What is it?
Alice Well, you see. I know who did it.
Frank Is this worthwhile sir, now that everything has been cleared up?
Walls Let's hear what she has got to say.
Alice What I was going to say is this... I'd better say, what I have to say now... I would rather not wait... What I wanted to say is that—I was the one—
Walls One moment, please.
Walls Hello? Yes. Yes. Yes, hold on. Will you deal with this young lady, I shall be busy for a minute.
Frank Yes, sir. This way, Miss, please.
Walls Is he there now? Send him in.
Frank Alice, whatever made you come here?
Alice I did it.
Frank I know.
Alice You don't know!
He tried... No, I can't tell you.
It's too painful. I was protecting myself.
I didn't know what I was doing and then...
Frank My dear...
Policeman So you found him, Miss. Did she tell you who did it.
Frank Yes.
Policeman You'll want to look out, or you'll be losing your job my boy.
I suppose we'll soon have lady detectives up in the Yard.
And I shall be all right on the dole, won't I.
THE END
A BRITISH INTERNATIONAL PICTURE
ELSTREE · LONDON
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1930.
This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse