The Masters  
The Powell & Pressburger Pages

Dedicated to the work of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and all the other people, both actors and technicians who helped them make those wonderful films.

A lot of the documents have been sent to me or have come from other web sites. The name of the web site is given where known. If I have unintentionally included an image or document that is copyrighted or that I shouldn't have done then please email me and I'll remove it.

I make no money from this site, it's purely for the love of the films.

[Any comments are by me (Steve Crook) and other members of the email list]

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Fascinating trivia (and any goofs) connected with the film


Generally acknowledged as the first British talkie.

- Michael Powell apparently suggested the use of the British Museum for the final chase scene. This was the first of what became a signature of Hitchcock's, a final chase on or in a large monument.

- Anny Ondra's voice was dubbed by Joan Barry because Ondra had a thick German accent. Barry had to stand just off the set and read the lines into a microphone as the film was shot.

In one key shot, the villain Cyril Ritchard is photographed with a thick shadow (caused by the arm of an overhead chandelier) across his upper lip. Hitchcock wanted the image to evoke the old-fashioned, heavily mustached villain found in many silent films. He later called this touch "my farewell to silent pictures".

- Much of the film was originally shot silent; when sound became available during the course of shooting, director Alfred Hitchcock re-shot certain scenes with sound.

- A German-language version was produced at the same time, also directed by Hitchcock.

- Directors Cameo (Alfred Hitchcock): being bothered by a small boy on the bus.


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