SHADOW OF A DOUBT (1943)
Film of the Day #147
SHADOW OF A DOUBT
1943 • Alfred HitchcockScreenplay: Thornton Wilder, Sally Benson, Alma Reville; Story by Gordon McDonell
Producer: Jack H. Skirball
Cast: Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten, Macdonald Carey, Patricia Collinge, Henry Travers, Wallace Ford, Hume Cronyn, Edna May Wonacott, Charles Bates
Cinematography: Joseph A. Valentine
Music: Dimitri Tiomkin, Franz LehárUniversal Pictures
You live in a dream. You're a sleepwalker, blind. How do you know what the world is like? Do you know the world is a foul sty? Do you know, if you rip off the fronts of houses, you'd find swine? The world's a hell. What does it matter what happens in it?
Shadow of a Doubt is a masterpiece of suspense, expertly crafted by Alfred Hitchcock to keep the audience on the edge of their seats until the very end. It’s a Hitchcockian masterpiece that expertly combines family drama with a suspenseful psychological thriller. It explores the dark depths of human psychology and the hidden darkness that can lurk within the most ordinary settings.
Shadow of a Doubt follows Charlie Newton (Teresa Wright), a charming young lady who lives in the picturesque town of Santa Rosa, California, with her seemingly perfect family. However, their peaceful life is disrupted when her charismatic and mysterious Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten) comes to visit. Charlie adores her uncle, who shares her name, but her suspicions begin to grow as she notices peculiar behavior and overhears disturbing conversations. Gradually, she becomes convinced that her beloved uncle may be a serial killer known as the "Merry Widow Murderer." As her obsession with uncovering the truth deepens, a thrilling game of cat and mouse ensues, leading to a heart-pounding climax that reveals the shocking secrets hidden in the shadows of their seemingly idyllic town.
It is said that this is Hitchcock’s favorite of his films. His affinity is well-founded. Shadow of a Doubt stands as the purest example of murder in a "normal" setting within his oeuvre. Hitchcock excels in creating an atmosphere of impending dread within the seemingly serene backdrop of a small-town America. The juxtaposition of ordinary life with the presence of a potential serial killer is unnerving. Hitchcock's signature gallows humor further intensifies the discomfort, as he skillfully blends moments of dark comedy with the macabre. This is particularly evident in Uncle Charlie's interactions with his unsuspecting family, where the audience is privy to his sinister thoughts while those around him remain blissfully ignorant.
The film features incredible performances from its cast, particularly Teresa Wright as Charlie and Joseph Cotten as her namesake Uncle Charlie. Cotten is chillingly charismatic as the charming uncle who may be hiding a dark secret. Cotten showcases his villainous nature and his profound disgust for mankind. He is mesmerizing and exudes an unnaturally calm demeanor that adds a chilling layer of menace to his character. Uncle Charlie's disdain for humanity is palpable in his cynical monologues, where he expresses his belief that the world is overrun with greed and cruelty. This cynicism, combined with his ability to maintain a facade of normalcy, makes him a truly diabolical and unforgettable antagonist.
Teresa Wright is remarkable. She brings a sense of innocence and vulnerability to her role, making her character's journey all the more heartbreaking. As young Charlie Newton, she navigates a complex range of emotions with incredible depth and authenticity. Wright brings an undeniable charm and vulnerability to the role, making her character's journey from adoration to suspicion all the more poignant. Her ability to convey the internal turmoil and growing dread that Charlie experiences as she begins to suspect her uncle is truly captivating. Wright's portrayal is a testament to her talent as an actress, and her chemistry with Joseph Cotten's Uncle Charlie adds a palpable tension to the film. It's her nuanced and emotionally charged performance that helps anchor the film.
Eight decades since its release, Shadow of a Doubt continues to reign as one of the absolute best thrillers ever made. Its ability to bring viewers uncomfortably close to the killer, the exceptional performances, and Hitchcock's masterful direction all contribute to its enduring legacy. It remains a testament to Hitchcock's unparalleled storytelling prowess and his knack for unraveling the darkest facets of the human psyche.
We're not talking about killing people. Herb's talking about killing me and I'm talking about killing him.
Notable Accomplishments
Academy Award Nominee: Best Writing, Original Story
1991: Inducted into National Film Registry by the Library of Congress
Time Out Magazine’s 100 Greatest Thrillers of all Time - #31
Streaming: Peacock
Digital Rental/Purchase: Available at most digital retailers
Physical Media: Available on DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K