Hitchcock's last silent film, Blackmail was also his first sound effort—and one of the first British "talkies" as well. A resounding popular and critical success, Blackmail prefigures some of the director's most famous themes and demonstrates techniques for which he would be noted.
The film is available online:
Variety says it "is most draggy" and "has no speed or pace and very little suspense." The New York Times says in a review from the time of its release, "Altogether, one gathers the impression that "Blackmail" may possibly not make such a strong appeal to the general public as it deserves to because of its artistic qualities." TCM has an overview. The British Film Institute has an article on the silent/sound filming and an overview and some video clips.
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