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Shadow of a DoubtRating:
Release Date: 06 March, 2001 Retail Price: $19.98 Sorry, this product is not currently available. Cast: Complete Cast (8 total) |
Shadow of a Doubt Reviews
"The ones that say they don't want anything, always get more in the end.",
Joseph Cotten is "Uncle Charlie", an Eastern man-about-town who comes for an extended visit in the home of his relatives, a normal, middle-class American family. He is welcomed with open arms by all, until his namesake niece (Teresa Wright) begins to suspect that her uncle is a psychopathic murderer. It's true. His warped mind, ruthlessness and frenzy break through the veneer of charm and confidence he had projected until the worst doubts of the niece are confirmed. With her realization of the awful truth about Uncle Charlie, she is faced with the need to protect her family and his determination to silence her at any cost.
Cotten is superb as the murdering uncle and Wright is perfect as the niece who is caught in the crossfire of affection for her uncle and fear for her life at his hands (sadly, the Academy failed to nominate her for an Oscar that year as they had done for her previous three films, but she did win Best Actress from the National Board of Review). Patricia Collinge is touching as her mother, who remains oblivious to all but delight in rediscovering her brother while Henry Travers and Hume Cronyn are both highly enjoyable as Young Charlie's father and as Herbie, his "partner in crime". It's easy to see who this was Hitchcock's own personal favorite. As close to perfection as you can get. [filmfactsman]
Superb, timeless Hitchcock classic
"Shadow of a Doubt", directed by the masterful Alfred Hitchcock ranks extremely high among the vast array of his most well received films. Featuring an excellent screenplay by Thornton Wilder, a well conceived musical score by Dimitri Tiomkin, some typically outstanding camera work and convincing acting performances the film has few rivals to its lofty stature in this genre.
An eerie Joseph Cotten, impressive in this signature role, playing debonair bachelor Charles Oakley is being pursued, presumably by the authorities. To escape the heat he decides to visit his older sister and her family in the idyllic small California town of Santa Rosa and telegraphs them of his arrival. This is just the tonic for his adroit and virginal niece and namesake Charlie played by Teresa Wright. She'd been feeling morose and a visit from her beloved Uncle Charlie instantly elevated her spirits.
Uncle Charlie's arrival is a highly anticipated event. He comes bearing presents to the family but with a sketchy and sometimes volatile demeanor. Wright is given an emerald ring which has an inscription in it with the letters T.S.. Tying this in with an article in the local papers, she suspects that Uncle Charlie might actually be the celebrated and notorious "Merry Widow" murderer.
The family is put under surveillance by a team of detectives including Macdonald Carey playing Det. Jack Graham, who are part of a nationwide manhunt. Cotten's behavior keeps getting more and more suspicious and he finally reveals the truth to Wright that he is the strangler of three rich widows. He makes her promise not to tell but she implores him to leave Santa Rosa.
After a series of accidents befall Wright, orchestrated by Cotten, she becomes determined to expose the cunning and dangerous Uncle Charlie to Carey who has become her love interest.
Hitchcock's climax is both gripping and unexpected and a perfect compliment to this somewhat under appreciated classic film. Both Cotten and Wright are terrific in their respective roles. A strong supporting cast led by Hume Cronyn playing omnipresent neighbor Herbie Hawkins and Henry Travers and Patrica Collinge playing Mr. and Mrs. Newton, Wright's parents add a nice touch.
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