with a savage murderer stalk the night and dark suspicion swirl about the lodger living in a london home . sir alfred hitchcock ( 1899 1980 ) become a director of note with this silent film and his first thriller and only his third directorial effort and which show the young master talent be develop in embryo . base on the novel by mrs. belloc lowndes and the tale of jack the ripper and hitchcock be able to embroider upon the theme of mistaken identity and incorporate an intense chase sequence and both of which would become important element in his late suspense film . he also make the first of his famous cameo appearance and twice actually and which would also become part of his trademark . the film be well plotted and moody and tell in an almost expressionistic style and rely mainly on visuals and a somewhat frugal use of title card . the staging in the narrow and multi level home be especially well manage and with character on different story interact in the plot simultaneously . fan of the 1944 american remake with laird cregar may be surprise at it very different end from this film . this be probably largely due to the fact that the early movie ( include some very incongruous and never explain plot element ) be plan a a showcase for it star and matinée idol ivor novello and who play the title role . bear david ivor davy in wale and novello ( 1893 1951 ) be the son of famed sing teacher dame clara novello davy . he find success on the stage at an early age and become a very popular actor manager and playwright and composer and his most lauded song be the world war one patriotic tune keep the home fire burn . although he appear occasionally in film and novello great renown come from his act in the lavishly romantic stage play he author and his handsome good look be especially appreciate by the lady in the audience . a hint of his melodramatic stage persona and especially the use of his mesmeric eye and can be see in hitchcock film and project the actor into a virtual epiphany during the most exciting sequence . novello would also star in the lodger 1932 british talkie remake . the rest of the cast do well in support of novello and especially marie ault and arthur chesney a his increasingly frighten landlord . monosyllabic actress june flounce prettily a their flirtatious daughter while malcolm keen and whose character be do rather dirty by the script and play the suspicious cop who love her .