The Ring (1927)

Two boxers compete for the love of a woman.

Director:

Alfred Hitchcock

Writer:

Alfred Hitchcock

Stars:

Carl Brisson, Lillian Hall-Davis, Ian Hunter

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Carl Brisson	...	'One-Round' Jack Sander
Lillian Hall-Davis	...	Mabel - The Girl (as Lilian Hall Davis)
Ian Hunter	...	Bob Corby
Forrester Harvey	...	The Promoter
Harry Terry	...	The Showman
Gordon Harker	...	Jack's Trainer

Storyline

Jack Saunders and Bob Corby are two boxers in love with Nellie. Jack and Nellie are married but their marriage is flat so she starts to look to Bob for comfort.

---

Plot Keywords:

fortune teller | dysfunctional marriage | romantic rivalry | boxer | double exposure | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance | Sport

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie was released in 1929 in France under the title "Le ring", as many magazines (such as Cinémagazine, Le film complet) prove. However, for some reason, at some point around the 1960s, it was confused with a Fred Niblo movie released at the same time in France, "Two Lovers (1928)," which French title was "Le masque de cuir", in reference to the Leatherface character in it. This title has been erroneously used for the Hitchcock movie in various books from the 1960s, and for a DVD release, although the plot has nothing whatsoever to do with a leather mask.

---

Goofs

In the final boxing scene, right before Bob greets the other boxer, his robe switches from being on all the way to being just on the left shoulder.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Corby: A friend of yours?
Girl: A *very* great friend.

---

Connections

Referenced in Alfred Hitchcock: Master of Suspense (2013)

User Reviews

Hitchcock fans might be surprised at this type of film, but it's worth seeing.

'One-Round' Jack Sander is called that because he's a carnival boxer who fights any man in the audience. If they can last one round, they win a prize--a popular way to draw customers into traveling shows long ago. Jack is in love with the ticket girl, Mabel, though her head is quickly turned when Bob Corby enters the ring to try his chances with Jack. What no one at the fight knows is that Bob is the champ, so he's able to beat Jack--though it takes him some work. As a result, Bob asks Jack to become his sparring partner and give up the carnival circuit. Later, Jack improves so much that he, too, becomes a legitimate boxer. Slowly, he works his way up the rankings until he's nearly ready to take on the Champ.

In the meantime, the Champ and Mabel start running around behind Jack's back--even though by now Mabel has married Jack. So, when the final fight occurs between Jack and Bob, it's very personal and Jack is ready to kill him. Is he good enough? Will rise justifiable rage against Bob help or hinder his performance? Tune in and see.

This film was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and while today this sort of film seems strange for a director known for mystery-suspense films, back in the 1920s, Hitchcock had no fixed genre which he directed or wrote (he did both for this film). In fact, in many ways this film is more indicative of Hitchcock's silent style, as a somewhat similar plot came up in one of his next silents, THE MANXMAN (also starring Carl Brisson as the wronged husband). So, while this seems a lot like a standard boxing film of the day, it was not a radical departure for this great director--even with its rather formulaic ending.

Overall, while a bit predictable and having Ian Hunter playing a boxing champ seems silly, the film works well. While far from a perfect silent, it's well worth seeing and packs a nice punch.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

None

Release Date:

1 October 1927 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Ring

Filming Locations:

Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British International Pictures (BIP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min 108 min (2012 restoration)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1