The Ring - Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock writing and directing a Boxing Movie? Would you have ever thought it? However he did. In 1927 he released The Ring, a silent, black and white film about boxing, and relationships. This was the first of two movies that Hitch did with Carl Brisson - who I think is stunning in a 1920's way (and you'll see below). The film opens with a Carnival or a traveling fair. In one tent they are promoting a boxing competition with One Round Jack (Carl Brisson). Anyone who can beat him will win money. Jack is in love with the girl who sells tickets. As the promoter is out trying to get men to sign-up and fight Jack, one man (Bob) is clearly taken with the girl (Mabel) and is chatting her up. Jack sees this and challenges him to a fight. Bob gets in the ring and lasts four rounds before knocking out Jack. What you start seeing in these early films are the transitions that Hitchcock uses, and continued to use through out his career. Transitions made of dissolves, or seeing one image but hearing a contrasting image (a train going by but hearing a woman scream instead of a train whistle) - techniques like that. In this movie, the first I noticed was focused on a hand clasp. While I didn't write down the exact details, it was enough for me to make note of it.

So, Bob gets a boxing contract eventually. Mabel is confused by her feelings and so she goes to the fortune teller at the carnival to tells Mabel's fortune using a regular deck of cards - something I have never seen before. The fortune teller talks to her about a tall, rich man. Mabel and Bob are still friends, and spend time together. In fact, Bob gives her a snake bracelet that she wears around her upper arm. Mabel and Jack get married. There is some comedy of sideshow characters filing into the church - the siamese twins want to sit on opposite sides of the aisle, a very short man walks in with the tall man who then sits towards the front of the church blocking the view of those behind him. With some great foreshadowing, at the wedding when the ring is slid onto Mabel's hand, the bracelet slides down her arm into view. The next shot is from the reception where a horseshoe falls off the wall onto the head of the fortune teller. Jealousy raises his head - and there is a great double exposure, layers of images to bring this idea home. Another great transition towards the end of the film is Jack coming home with a bunch of his friends to celebrate a win with Mabel. He pours champagne, and the camera focuses in on the glasses and we the audience watch the bubbles go flat - showing the time passing. For how the story ends, take a watch of the film. This one is available in a couple different sets, but the one I watched is part of the Legend Series. There is no cameo in this film.

TW: It should be noted that there is some racist behavior in this film. At the start of the film there is shown a black man (or possibly a man in blackface) being the "victim" of one of those dunking games. People throw balls and if they hit the target, the "victim" is dropped into a barrel of water. There is also the use of the N-word, written on one of the intertitle cards. At the same time, one of the members of Jack's inner circle is a black man. So there are some confusing messages being put out there. Also, there is implied violence towards Mabel. Jack never hits her on screen, but there is a quarrel where he does grab her quite harshly and pulls at her dress.