a stranger ( ivor novello ) in fog bound london seeks accommodation from a family and they provide him with a small apartment upstairs . their blond daughter be draw towards this fascinating and somewhat mysterious gentleman . her parent become suspicious of the intention of the lodger and they live in fear of her safety . there be a serial killer abroad in the foggy street and who know . this stranger could be that maniac . it be interest to view an early hitchcock film a far back a the silent era . i be surprise at the quality ( despite a few scratch here and there ) . the addition of music be rather overdone in my opinion but it do fill in the empty silence and do add a dramatic effect . no doubt in the early day a capable pianist ( below the screen ) bash out some impromptu music to fit the mood of each scene . it be an uncomplicated story but that do not mean the guilty person be easily recognize ( if at all . ) hitchcock like to tease with a lodger who have shifty eye and who pace the floor ( what an original idea to photograph through a transparent floor ) and who have the wall picture remove and who creep out silently at night . i feel that the atmosphere create be exceptional . certainly a bit theatrical with exaggerated eye expression but compel nevertheless . when you see a film of this vintage you realise how much film production have already advance in the 20 and without the aid of all our recent technological contrivance .