Champagne (1928 film)

Champagne

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1928
Founder	Alfred Hitchcock (director), Eliot Stannard (screenwriter), Walter C. Mycroft (story)
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Silent comedy film

Champagne is a 1928 British silent comedy film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, featuring performances by Betty Balfour, Gordon Harker, and Jean Bradin. The screenplay, co-authored by Hitchcock and Eliot Stannard, draws from an original narrative by Walter C. Mycroft. The story centers on a young woman compelled to seek employment after her father’s champagne business fortune collapses.

Plot

The story begins with heiress Betty Balfour angering her father by piloting his airplane to rendezvous with her boyfriend aboard a transatlantic ocean liner bound for France. When her boyfriend falls ill from seasickness, Betty dines alone and encounters a mysterious stranger. Following a stern telegram from her father warning that her boyfriend lacks appropriate social status, Betty proposes marriage to him; however, they clash over who should hold authority in the relationship.

Though the boyfriend regrets their argument, he discovers Betty engaged in a chess game with the enigmatic man, sparking yet another dispute. Subsequently, Betty’s father reveals that the family fortune has disappeared due to the champagne company’s downfall. This prompts the boyfriend to leave, confirming the father’s belief that his intentions were financially motivated.

Stranded and impoverished in France, Betty and her father reside in a shabby apartment. When her boyfriend attempts to reconcile, she refuses and resolves to find work. She obtains employment at an upscale restaurant where the mysterious man discreetly offers assistance. Disapproving of her job, the boyfriend departs after Betty provocatively dances.

Shortly thereafter, Betty’s father returns accompanied by the boyfriend, admitting that he fabricated the financial ruin as a lesson for Betty. Feeling betrayed by both men, Betty contacts the mysterious stranger, who offers passage back to America but confines her in a cabin. The boyfriend rescues her, leading to their reconciliation.

When the mysterious man arrives with Betty’s father, the boyfriend hides. The father then reveals he hired the stranger to safeguard Betty. Misinterpreting this, the boyfriend attacks but is pacified when the father gives his blessing for their marriage. The couple reunites but quickly argues over wedding arrangements.

Cast

• Betty Balfour – Betty
• Jean Bradin – The Boy
• Gordon Harker – Mark, Betty's Father
• Ferdinand von Alten – The Man (credited as Theo von Alten)

Supporting cast (uncredited):

• Jack Trevor – The Officer
• Claude Hulbert – Club Guest
• Marcel Vibert – Maitre d'Hotel
• Hannah Jones – Club Servant
• Clifford Heatherley – The Manager
• Vivian Gibson, Sunday Wilshin, Phyllis Konstam, Alexander D'Arcy, Fanny Wright, Gwen Mannering, Balliol and Merton

Reception

Following The Farmer's Wife, Champagne marked Hitchcock’s second comedic effort but met with unfavorable reviews. Although critics admired Hitchcock’s visual style, they found the storyline lacking depth.

Variety recognized the film’s technical achievements but dismissed its narrative as insubstantial.

In his interview with François Truffaut, Hitchcock later admitted dissatisfaction with Champagne, citing its absence of a compelling story.

Preservation status and home media

In 2012, Champagne underwent restoration as part of the British Film Institute’s £2 million "Save the Hitchcock 9" initiative aimed at preserving Hitchcock’s surviving silent films.

Despite widespread unauthorized distribution, officially restored versions have been made available on DVD, Blu-ray, and video-on-demand through Optimum (UK), Lionsgate, and Kino Lorber (U.S.).

As of January 1, 2024, Champagne entered the public domain in the United States.

External links

• Champagne featured on the British Film Institute's Screenonline platform
• Alfred Hitchcock Collectors’ Guide: Champagne available at Brenton Film