Part of legendary director Alfred Hitchcock's "9," The Pleasure Garden marks his directorial debut with this British-German wonder. 

For the Master of Suspense, Hitchcock shows in this film many of the talents he would develop eventually, notably a great mastery of image composition and lighting, with a probable influence of German expressionism in his use of shadow and on-location shooting to natural sets to recreate the appropriate atmosphere. 

Patsy (Carmelita Geraghty) is a young chorus girl at Mr. Hamilton's Pleasure Garden Theatre in London. One evening after the show, she meets Jill (Virginia Valli) whose money and letter of introduction to Mr. Hamilton have just been stolen. Offering help to Jill, Patsy takes her home and promises to introduce her to the boss. Jill manages to convince Hamilton that she should be the lead, and eventually begins to climb up the social ladder, leaving behind Patsy and her fiancé, Hugh (John Stuart), being courted by rich men, notably the wealthy Prince Ivan. Hugh's partner Levet (Miles Mander) convinces Patsy to marry him, though it turns to be a false romance. 

An excellent watch for WSF and every new viewer, "This first production of Alfred Hitchcock promises much for the future."

The Pordenone Silent Film Festival of 2020 ran from October 3rd - October 10th.

REGISTER FOR NEXT YEAR: 

http://www.giornatedelcinemamuto.it/en/

2020 SCHEDULE:

http://www.giornatedelcinemamuto.it/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/3_Calendario_Schedule.pdf

The Pleasure Garden Restored:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nxnWnFEoig&t=137s

Host Diane runs The Silents Majority - Goes Wayback! Be sure to join this public group!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/484423584978921

Hosted by YiFeng, Lily, and Diane

Recorded on 9/24/20