Kitty (1929 film)

Kitty

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1929
Founder	Victor Saville (director)
Products	Drama film

Kitty is a British drama film from 1929, directed by Victor Saville and featuring performances by Estelle Brody and John Stuart. The production integrates spoken dialogue scenes with synchronized music and sound effects, complemented by English intertitles. This motion picture is an adaptation of Warwick Deeping's 1927 novel and represents the third occasion that Brody and Stuart co-starred, following their acclaimed collaborations in Mademoiselle from Armentieres (1926) and Hindle Wakes (1927).

Initially filmed as a silent movie, director Saville later re-shot the final portion with sound sequences after the original release. Due to the scarcity of sound studios in Britain at the time, Saville, along with Brody and Stuart, traveled to New York's RKO Studios for this purpose. Issued as a part-talkie, the film opens with a spoken prologue and includes a synchronized musical accompaniment featuring a theme song sung by Estelle Brody.

Plot

Set in London before the outbreak of World War I, the story follows aviator Alex St. George (portrayed by Stuart), who falls in love with Kitty Greenwood (played by Brody), a shop assistant. Alex's aristocratic mother (Dorothy Cumming) disapproves of their union due to social class disparities. Prior to their marriage, Alex is called away to serve as a pilot during the war.

Mrs. St. George attempts to undermine their relationship by sending Alex forged letters that accuse Kitty of misconduct. Distracted and emotionally troubled by these falsehoods, Alex suffers a severe plane crash resulting in serious injuries and memory loss.

Upon returning to England, Alex undergoes physical therapy while his mother and Kitty compete to sway his recollections and emotions. Ultimately, Kitty succeeds in rekindling his affection, overcoming his mother's resistance.

Cast

• Estelle Brody as Kitty Greenwood
• John Stuart as Alex St. George
• Dorothy Cumming as Mrs. St. George
• Marie Ault as Sarah Greenwood
• Winter Hall as John Furnival
• Olaf Hytten as Leaper
• Charles O'Shaugnessy as Reuben
• Elwood Fleet Bostwick as Dr. Dazely
• Gibb McLaughlin as Electrician
• Rex Maurice as Dr. Drake
• Moore Marriott as Workman

Historical significance

Although Kitty premiered in May 1929 and is occasionally referenced as the first British sound film—preceding Alfred Hitchcock's Blackmail—this distinction applies only to its original silent version. Shortly after its debut, the film was withdrawn and re-edited into a part-talkie following Blackmails release. Critics highlight that Kittys sound scenes were produced in the United States, whereas Blackmail was entirely filmed within the United Kingdom. Consequently, the designation "first British sound film" often refers to Kitty, while "first sound film made in Britain" is more accurately attributed to Blackmail.

See also

• List of early sound feature films (1926–1929)