Il labirinto delle passioni

I was quite pleasantly surprised by this film. It's true that little of the Hitchcock we've come to love comes through but there are quite a few touches at that and all of them work. The travel scenes at Lake Como and somewhere in the South Sea work very well indeed and there's precious little in this film that doesn't contribute meaningfully to the movie. I would agree with one reviewer that Cuddles the dog gives some of the scenes humor. The transformation of two of the characters for the worst is loud and clear and the plot is not only crystal clear but quite effective. I'm glad to say I've seen this one - my last of all the Hitchcocks! Curtis Stotlar

Hitchcock's first film shows him to be merely a competent director. There's nothing Hitchcockian about this film, although a clever early shot shows a producer puffing away on a cigar next to a "No Smoking" sign, a visual contrast to show character.

The film does move along nicely and the acting is competent. Essentially a story about two show girls, one a gold digger, and the other a nice girl. The former marries into royalty and the latter makes an initial marriage mistake that makes up the bulk of the narrative.

The commercially released DVD, which I viewed, runs 59:35, but the timings here on IMDb range from 75 to 92 minutes. I was aware of a few abrupt transitions that may be due to trimmed footage, most notably the departure of Jill's husband from their honeymoon to his plantation job. Also we last see Patsy as she is selecting her trousseau for her upcoming marriage. I imagine the original film has a good deal more about how she ended up, contrasting with Jill's fortunes. It does seem unbalanced to leave her story up in the air.

All in all, an enjoyable and competently made film.

This is a moral tale of a couple of women, one good and the other lost in her own self- importance. It's also about two men who find themselves on the opposite side of fence as well. One is a kind, caring guy and the other a selfish womanizing cad. The first part of the show is about how two women in a chorus line evolve. One knows she has it and immediately demands the attention of everyone. She has been embraced by her friend who has been in the chorus for a while, but one she gains popularity, she has no time for the other woman. A marriage of convenience takes place and things really unravel. Also, the young starlet begins to realize that all her attention can't seem to make her happy. Things get kind of weird when the cad ends up in some island paradise with a native cookie whom he uses in every way possible. There are some really ridiculous confrontations and overacting by the principles. Everything gets wrapped up kind of neatly. Hitchcock was obviously learning the camera. I disagree with a previous comment about a monkey hanging around a film set being able to come up with this film. There are already hints of a style coming to the fore. It's too bad a couple of other first efforts have been lost to the inevitable decomposition of film (or simply lost).

This film is alright. It's definitely not one of Hitchcock's best, but it's not bad. The score isn't as annoying as other silent movie scores that drone the same chords over and over. It's pretty entertaining, the humour works well some of the same.

'Pleasure Garden' is Alfred Hitchcock's real firs movie as a director. He directed 'Number 13' before, but that shooting was shot down and the little of the footage he managed to shoot is now declared lost. 'The Pleasure Garden' is sweet little gem and is total pleasure to watch. It doesn't feel like Hitchcock's movie and there are very little his trademarks visible (how could there be, he was just beginner director). The story is very straightforward and simple melodrama, but it is not silly. Nothing is hidden under the surface. All the elements are well put together. Besides being Hitchcock's first movie as a director, there is nothing special, but it is a sweet film that definitely deserves to be seen. Especially by the fans of the legendary director.

P.S. Alma Reville and Alfred Hitchcock got engaged during the shoot and what a couple they became.