Hitchcock's Earliest Surviving Film Discovered in New Zealand

Alfred Hitchcock (Universal)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – The first 30 minutes of what is believed to be Alfred Hitchcock's earliest surviving feature film have been uncovered in New Zealand, TVNZ reported Wednesday.

The film of "The White Shadow" by the celebrated director was reportedly found among a cache of unidentified American nitrate prints safeguarded for the last 23 years by the New Zealand Film Archive.

The film was among those salvaged by New Zealand projectionist and collector Jack Murtagh, whose belongings were sent to the NZFA for safekeeping after his death in 1989.

David Sterritt, author of The Films of Alfred Hitchcock, said Hitchcock was a 24 year old when he wrote the film's scenario, designed the sets, edited the footage, and served as assistant director to Graham Cutts for the 1923 film.

The Los Angeles Times reported that "The White Shadow" will have its "re-premiere" Sept. 22 at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles.