Synopsis:
“Charlie” (Teresa Wright, Mrs. Miniver) is a young woman bored with small-town life. When her mother’s brother, “Uncle Charlie” (Joseph Cotten, The Third Man), announces he’ll come for a visit, “Charlie” is sure that her charismatic uncle will put an end to the monotony of her life. Be careful what you wish for…
Reaction & Thoughts:
“Do you know the world is a foul sty?”
Shadow of a Doubt is known as Alfred Hitchcock’s favorite of his own films (interestingly, Hitch later walked back his comments). Though the film isn’t my favorite Hitchcock movie, it isn’t too hard to see why the celebrated British filmmaker, who was known for his naughty sense of humor, liked the movie so much — this slow-burn thriller remains one of The Master of Suspense’s most perverse concoctions.
Shadow of a Doubt is an odd 1940s movie. While most Hollywood filmmakers were trying to inform the public about overseas threats during WWII, Hitchcock was hard at work unearthing homegrown sins. This is the opposite of a wartime Americana, which was meant to lift people’s spirits — instead of providing comfort and hope, Hitchcock gave audiences something that amplified their stress levels.
As in his previous film Saboteur (1942), the director boldly deconstructs the idea of America as a pillar of goodness, a shocking thing to do, especially coming from a foreigner, at a time when the country was in the midst of a righteous war. It is only because of his great skills as a filmmaker that Hitchcock managed to get away with something that could easily be misconstrued as unpatriotic.
Hitchcock’s main accomplice was dramatist Thornton Wilder, whose celebrated play Our Town is the epitome of classic Americana. Wilder turned an original idea by Gordon McDonell into a script. Hitch and wife Alma wrote the final draft. Sally Benson (Meet Me in St. Louis) was hired to add humor to the script. Actress Patricia Collinge (The Little Foxes), who plays Teresa Wright’s mother, re-wrote some scenes.
Despite all the script tinkering, Shadow of a Doubt is remarkably focused and consistent. This is a thorough treatise on not only the contradictions of American life, but also the duality in human nature. Using all the tools at his disposal (dialogue, lighting, editing, etc.), Hitchcock is able to demonstrate that life is made of opposites and contrasts. From beginning to end, the director purposely plays a mix-and-match game — Hitch somehow manages to make incompatible elements coexist together in total harmony.
Speaking of two opposing elements coexisting together, it’s strange to see a few dumb moments in such a smart movie. I get that Hitchcock wasn’t big on logic, but I still found it a little ridiculous the way the supposedly smart “Uncle Charlie” gives himself away by stupidly removing a news article from a local paper. I also thought Hitchcock made the mistake of trying to explain the uncle’s psychopathy.
While I clearly had issues with some sections of the story, I found nothing to complain about regarding the acting in the film. Hitch wanted William Powell (The Thin Man) and Olivia de Havilland (Gone with the Wind) for “The Charlies” (Powell as a serial killer? I think not!). I’m glad neither actor was available. Cotten gives a performance for the ages. Wright is superb too. I loved Collinge’s humanity. Hume Cronyn (Brute Force) is funny as a nosey neighbor. Even the two little kids are awesome.
Conclusions & Final Thoughts:
Author Donald Spoto wrote in his book The Art of Alfred Hitchcock that “(Shadow of a Doubt) places the director among the great moral cynics of our age.” I’m not sure that I would call Hitchcock a cynic. The last scene in the movie suggests that the niece is better off knowing that life is filled with wickedness. Perhaps Hitchcock wanted to convey the idea that “knowledge is power.” That isn’t cynicism… it’s wisdom. Remade in 1958 as Step Down to Terror, as a 1991 TV-movie and yet again in 2013 as Stoker with Matthew Goode (Watchmen) as Uncle Charlie. B&W, 108 minutes, Not Rated.
Hitch’s cameo
Nice review. I agree with your points. I think Cotton is one of the most under rated actors.
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Agreed. A very versatile actor. I can’t believe he never received an Oscar nomination!
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Totally agreed. Is saddens you that great actors like Cotton never even received an Oscar nod.
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Cotten is such a versatile actor: so sweet in The Magnificent Ambersons, and so evil in Shadow.
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Even in a small role like Simonson in Soylent Green, he has a very distinctive presence.
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Cotten had a wonderful second career as a character actor. He was wonderful in chillers like The Abominable Dr. Phibes and The Hearse.
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Yikes. I forgot about his work as Simonson in Soylent Green. So right!
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He should have for Citizen Kane.
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…or Magnificent Ambersons. 😉
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One of the rare occasions a Hitchcock film gets overlooked, this one along with Frenzy and Family Plot. It’s not perfect by a long shot, but has that charm fans have come to love Hitch for.
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Good examples. I’m particularly fond of Family Plot, which never gets much respect.
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Terrific review! Not one of his best, but a great example of how to tell a story with great acting!
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Exactly! Great acting across the board!
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Great review I only got to see it last year. I enjoyed it. The scene at the dinner table really stood out as Joseph Cotton unleashes from his cool exterior revealing a bubbling away nasty streak.
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The dinner table scene gave me the chills! 🙂
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One of my favorites! Joe was a great actor. Loved when he’d appear on old radio shows like “Suspense,” too.
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Cotten has a fabulous voice, so I’m not surprised that he did radio.
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Eric….. One of many fantastic performances on Suspense…..
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Just watched this again…it is a very good film, Cotten and Wright and supporting cast are all strong, as is the Thornton Wilder script (a change of pace for the creator of Our Town and Dolly Levi!) Mr. Binford, as always I love your blog and your taste in film!!
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Yes! It’s interesting that Wilder, of Our Town fame, participated in this dour demythologization of small town America. Thanks for reading!
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Excellent review and analysis. I like this movie a lot and can’t believe Cotten never received a nomination for his work. He should have gotten an honorary Oscar for his incredible contributions. Anyway, I digress…albeit with shock haha.
Also I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award! If you don’t do awards or don’t have time, no worries. Just consider it as a thank you for what you do.
https://theclassicmoviemuse.wordpress.com/2021/08/22/the-sunshine-blogger-award-twice-the-sunshine/
I’m also hosting my first blogathon and would love to have you join if you’re interested.
https://theclassicmoviemuse.wordpress.com/2021/08/15/announcing-the-bernard-herrmann-blogathon/
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Thanks for the nomination (I will try to find the time to participate), and thanks for the invitation to the Blogathon! 🙂
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You’re welcome! Awesome, can’t wait to see your answers 🙂
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