Movie-A-Day #281: Shadow of a Doubt

[Renz]

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Cast: Joseph Cotten, Teresa Wright, Macdonald Carey, Henry Travers, Patricia Collinge, Hume Cronyn

Synopsis: Young Charlie (Wright) is thrilled when she learns that her Uncle Charlie (Cotten) is coming to visit. Young Charlie soon discovers however, that Uncle Charlie may not be what he seems on the surface. She begins to wonder if her beloved Uncle Charlie is actually a murderer of rich women known as the "Merry Widow Killer". As Young Charlie gets closer to the truth about her uncle, she begins to fear for the lives of Uncle Charlie's potential victims, and for her own.

With apologies to Rear Window, Psycho and Rebecca, Shadow of a Doubt is my favorite Hitchcock film. Joseph Cotten gives a chilling and riveting performance as the suspected "Merry Widow Killer". Cotten moves seemlessly between the charming, fun-loving uncle to a sinister, malevelont stranger and back again. Teresa Wright seems to grow up before our eyes as she begins to see the darkside of human nature and the dangers that exist in the world.

Superbly directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this taut thriller builds suspense from the first frame until the eventual climax. This film is a true classic.

Trivia: Director Cameo: [Alfred Hitchcock] on the train to Santa Rosa playing cards. He has the entire suit of spades in his hand, including the symbolic ace.

Alfred Hitchcock often said that this was his favorite film.

Director Trademark: [Alfred Hitchcock] [bathroom] "BM" is engraved on a ring.

Patricia Collinge, who plays Emma Newton in the film, wrote the garage scene between Charlie (Teresa Wright) and Jack (Macdonald Carey).

Edna May Wonacott, who plays young Ann Newton, and Estelle Jewell, who plays Charlie's friend, Catherine, were both locals of Santa Rosa, where the film was shot on location. Many of the film's extras were also locals of the town, which was too far away from Hollywood to be affected by Actors Guild guidelines demanding the use of professional actors.

"Shadow of a Doubt" was the script title but was listed as only a "temporary title" until a better title could be found.

The name of the waltz that is referred to throughout the film is "The Merry Widow Waltz".

The portrait that hangs on the wall of Charlie's room to the right of her door is one drawn by Willy Pogany of actress Mary Philbin, who was a leading lady at Universal just 20 years before.

The name "Charlie" is spoken approximately 170 times.

 

[Chaplin]

I've heard other people before say that this is their favorite Hitch film. I don't share that view (Rear Window still sits by itself at the top of my short list), but this is a damn good film. I always thought this one was the best of his movies to go "under the radar", so to speak. It's impeccably well-made and acted, but it is overshadowed (pun intended) by the big 4 (Vertigo, Rear Window, North by Northwest and Psycho). I do think it fits in with Rebecca and his earlier British greats (Lady Vanishes and 39 Steps) as the pinnacle of his talent.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Cotten moves seemlessly between the charming, fun-loving uncle to a sinister, malevelont stranger and back again. Teresa Wright seems to grow up before our eyes as she begins to see the darkside of human nature and the dangers that exist in the world.

Absolutely. I recently watched this and couldn't agree more. Both of these actors where outstanding. I also liked the side story of the old men coming up with new ways to murder each other.

It's interesting to observe how pro-government everyone is in these old movies.