EASY VIRTUE

UK, 1927, 79 minuets, Black and white.
Isabel Jeans, Robin Irvine.
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

Easy Virtue is one of Alfred Hitchcock's earliest silent films. It was made at much the same time as The Lodger. While there are some interesting cinematic devices, and an interest in high society especially at the Riviera (To Catch a Thief), the film does not have so much in common with later thrillers. It is based on a play by Noel Coward. It deals with elegant society - appearances and reality - of the '20s and smacks of the drawing room melodrama.

1. Hitchcock's films: issues, style, interests? Comparisons with later films? Comparisons with later films? Signs of films to come?

2. Silent film techniques: the quality of the visuals, design, decor? The contemporary '20s period? Editing and pace? Devices - the judge's head being raised at beginning and end, looking through his monocle?

3. Styles of acting, the relationship between stage and cinema? Particular cinematic effects,, especially the telephonist listening in to the proposal over the phone and the audience gauging what was happening by her responses?

4. Noel Coward, English morals and manners, drawing room comedy and melodrama? The film's comment on English society?

5. The title: morals, manners, appearances, reality? Reputation? Private and public behaviour? The focus on Larita and her 'easy virtue'?

6. The focus on divorce and the proceedings, the difference between the first court case and the second? The photographers at the end of each case? Larita and the destruction of her reputation at the end?

7. The opening case and the techniques for flashbacks? Characters, situations? The end of the court case and the photographers? The effect on Larita, her going to France, starting anew?

8. Larita and her relationship with Claude, the posing for the paintings? The jealous husband and his drinking? The provocation? (Acting styles - and the meaning of character being clear from mime, faces etc.? ) The husband and his beating Claude, death? Divorce and the reaction of the jurors? The verdict of misconduct and the effect on Larita?

9. Larita, going to France. her magnetic charm'? Being hit on the head with the tennis ball, the encounter with John, falling in love?

10. The marriage, the wisdom of her decision, the return to England, the style of the family, John and Larita and their love for each other, the father and his welcome, the sister and the rest of the family, Sarah and her welcome? The forbidding aspects of the mother?

11. Life at the home. elegance, boring, parties, the family hostility, cricket matches?

12. Larita and the fear of exposition, the encounter with the lawyer, blaming him? The various reactions? Showdown with Mother? Sarah's support? John and his weak reaction?

13. Larita and her decision for the divorce, letting John go his own way, helping Sarah?

14. Entertainment, issues, mirror of contemporary society?