During the summer of 2012, the discovery of an incomplete copy ( 3 of 6 reels survived ) of "The White Shadow" (1924) by Herr Graham Cutts at the "New Zealand Film Archive", originated a great fuss around the world ( well, maybe not a GREAT fuss; it's well known that German counts like to exaggerate facts for the sake of silent films ). The excitement wasn't over the fact that another "lost" silent was found or that it was directed by Herr Cutts -Nein!l- the fuss was caused because Herr Alfred Hitchcock collaborated in this film as assistant director, editor, art director and scenarist.
Such lot of noise can be appreciated by this German count except for the mistake made by some in the long haired media (who previously paid no attention to silent films) who awarded the authorship of the film entirely to Herr Hitchcock, ignoring Herr Cutts, a major British director during the Silent Era and who was primarily responsible for the film.
"The White Shadow" is certainly a solid, very interesting film on its own, whatever Hitchcock's participation in the picture. It tells the story of twin sisters (both played by Frau Betty Compson ), two very different souls in character who share the same lover but end up with different fates. The two sisters are a study in contrasts: Frau Georgina is a responsible fraulein who stays at home with her parents on their estate while Frau Nancy is a wild girl who runs away from home to Paris where she smokes a lot and plays cards at a cabaret, "The Cat Who Laughs" ( it seems that there are many merriful animals in France... ). There is also around an American, Herr Robin Field ( Herr Clive Brook ) who meets and falls in love with Nancy on a boat when both are returning to England, although he later switches his affections to Georgina (without knowing who she really is).
It must be said that the drama and the atmosphere of the picture are certainly remarkable, and Frau Compson is excellent in her dual role. The careful art direction is also noteworthy (well, Herr Hitchcock does splendid work here), and Herr Cutts achieves an intense dramatic affect and throws in a dose of morality as well. The authorship of the film clearly belongs to Herr Cutts but, if one digresses for a moment and insists on finding some trace of Hitchcock in the overall work, there is a certain parallel between the impersonation in this film and Herr Hitchcock's "Vertigo" but this may be just the fancy of an old German count.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must play strip baccarat at "The Cat Who Laughs".
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/
