Blackmail
Sound Test
Sound Test
This is the original transcript of the sound test Alfred Hitchcock made of Polish actress, Anny Ondra, to check her speaking voice for his (and England's) first sound film, Blackmail (1929). (Sound films were at first called "talking pictures.")
As it turned out, Ondra's voice proved unsuitable and Hitchcock had another actress speak Ondra's lines off camera. (Today this is done by post-production dubbing.)
As can be heard, the screen test was an occasion for Hitchcock to use some ribald humor.
To view the test, go here or check my blog.
AH: Now, Miss Ondra, you asked me to let you hear your voice on the talking picture.
AO: But Hitch, you mustn't do that?
AH: Why not?
AO: Well, because I can't speak well.
AH: Do you realize the squad van will be here any moment.
AO: No, really. Oh my God, I'm terribly frightened.
AH: Why? Have you been a bad woman or something?
AO: Well, not just bad, but—
AH: But you've slept with men.
AO: Oh, no!
AH: You have not? Come here. Stand in your place, otherwise it will not come out right, as the girl said to the soldier. That's enough!
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