1. You see the hint at things to come. For the time period, the angles are fresh as looking at the stage show primarily from the viewpoint of backstage and most of the actors are facing away from the camera. You a re drawn into what's happening from the long shot as with the stage entrance scene and then each piece is the highlighted like the pickpockets, the purse, the nervous women. The humors part for me was the focus on the blonde woman. Hitchcock and his blondes. Anyway, that character element shows the beginning use of attractive women who can hold their own against men.
2. I would agree in most part with the other scholars regarding Hitchcock style is present but just starting.
3. I have always enjoyed silent films. I do not see that it took away anything from the storytelling. I think it enhanced it as the viewer has to pull the pieces together. I also think Hitchcock shows the view the whole scene and then crafts the views to highlight how the whole is important. The words do not drive the story but the images.
