Shadow of a Doubt

Often overlooked for his later masterpieces, "Shadow of a Doubt," penned in part by Alma Reville (Hitchcock), is a brilliant, character-driven thriller that stars one of the great, also under-heralded, actresses of the time, Teresa Wright, paired fantastically with Joseph Cotton. The characters are full-bodied. The performances are subtle and affected in all the right places. The exchanges between Henry Travers and Hume Cronyn are spectacular, black comedy gold. One of the few from Hitchcock that might rightfully fall under the category of film noir. Set in filming location Santa Rosa, in the northern part of California that Hitchcock so loved, "Shadow of a Doubt" deftly captures both the innocence and dark crimes and deceptions of mid-twentieth century America. True suspense. This gem is not to be missed.

Cinema legend Alfred Hitchcocks' personal favorite film out of his vast resume, "Shadow of a Doubt" is a solid and involving thriller in which cast & crew alike are showcased to great effect. It was co-scripted by Thornton Wilder, Sally Benson, and Hitchs' wife Alma Reville, from a story by Gordon McDonell.

Teresa Wright is appealing as "Young Charlie", a small town girl named after her often-on-the-move Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten). She dotes on him, even though she hasn't seen him that much during her life. Then she comes to realize that he has a very secretive, elusive nature, and may in fact have a criminal past that has drawn two detectives (Macdonald Carey, Wallace Ford) to this typical American burg.

The nefarious evil that Charlie could potentially be bringing to town is sharply contrasted with the cheery but unremarkable nature of the community. The excellent supporting cast also includes Henry Travers, Patricia Collinge, Irving Bacon, and Clarence Muse, with a young Hume Cronyn (in his film debut) stealing his scenes as a nosy pulp fiction lover who frequently discusses with Travers how he might possibly murder him without arousing suspicion!

Wright is winning in the central role, the girl who reluctantly must accept the fact that her uncle may not be the kind of man she always believed him to be. And Cotten offers a master class at subtle villainy. You'll never see him chewing on the scenery here.

"Shadow of a Doubt" is definitely far more character and plot-driven than action-oriented, but there is still time for some superior Hitchcock suspense scenes - although the ending is rather abrupt.

This might not get as much press as some of Hitchs' subsequent, even more famous work, but it's still worthy of a great deal of respect.

Eight out of 10.

"Shadow Of A Doubt" is one of those personal, small-scale, sharply observed, psychologically focused Alfred Hitchcock films which tend to be among his best ("Sabotage", "Suspicion", "Rope", etc.). It is largely a coming-of-age (or rather, a rude awakening) story, and Teresa Wright gives an utterly captivating performance. Joseph Cotten is also excellent, and they are backed by a vivid supporting cast (that little girl Ann has some wondrous line readings) and equally vivid small-town atmosphere. The library sequence, and particularly the moment when Wright discovers the truth on a newspaper and the waltz music blasts through, is among the most brilliant, and most chilling, of his entire career. ***1/2 out of 4.

A young woman (Teresa Wright) discovers her visiting "Uncle Charlie" (Joseph Cotten) may not be the man he seems to be.

This is classic Hitchcock, and one of Joseph Cotten's finest roles, which is quite a compliment considering how great Cotten is/was. He is dark, misanthropic, misogynistic, and keeps you guessing. That is the beauty of this film: you will debate with yourself Charlie's true identity (maybe he really is who he says he is).

The film has a good deal of suspense, and solid performances from everyone involved. I do not think this is one of Hitchcock's most well-known films, and I am sorry about that. For me, it ranks above "Rebecca" in his catalog. Really a fine film and worth seeing again.

Handsome and uncomplicated uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten)has come to visit his family in Santa Rosa, returning to home town after longer absence. Although he seems a good man, his young niece (Teresa Wright)slowly comes to aware he is a wanted merry widow killer and he comes to recognize her malignant suspicions. The suspicious uncle Charlie gradually becoming stronger and mysterious. Meantime two detectives (Mcdonald Carey and Wallace Ford) are investigating. Further developments ensure an exciting climax on train.

From the story by Gordon McConnell, the picture gets unlimited suspense in crescendo, tense, full of lingering frames and with the typical touches Hitchcock. Besides a literately and thoughtful dialog signed by Thornton Wilder and Alma Reville (Hitchcock's usual screenwriter and wife) though lacking humor . After his successful British films as ¨39 steps¨ and ¨Jamaica Inn¨ , Hitch was encouraged to go to America and promptly shot his first work in Hollywood hired by the great producer David O'Selznick ; later on he directed this excellent picture . Fine performance by Joseph Cotten as sunny and cynic uncle Charlie . Teresa Wright as shy and glad young is superb and enjoyable . Likable couple formed by Henry Travers and Hume Cronyn in his film debut , booth of whom speaking continuously about murders. And of course cameo role by Alfred Hitchcock , this time as a man on train playing cards. Atmospheric and perceptible music by the maestro Dimitri Tiomkin, including piano sounds . Sensational visual style in black and white cinematography by the cameraman by Joseph Valentine . This interesting movie is brilliantly directed by the Master Hitchcock, resulting to be his favorite personal. It's remade in 1958 in quite inferior remake titled ¨Step down to terror¨ by Harry Keller with Charles Drake, Rod Taylor,Jocelyn Brando and Josephine Hutchinson, furthermore a lousy Television movie. The motion picture is indispensable watching for Hithcock lovers achieving the maximum impact on his audience. Rating : Very good, engrossing and essential viewing.