Uriah43 Review of The Suspect

The Suspect (1944)

A Good Film Due in Large Part to the Fine Performance of Charles Laughton

[7/10 · 29 January 2023]

This film begins with a kind-hearted gentleman by the name of "Philip Marshall" (Charles Laughton) trying to console his adult son "John Marshall" (Dean Harens) after an argument he had with Philip's wife "Cora Marshall" (Rosalind Ivan). It is then revealed that Cora is an extremely critical person who doesn't just bicker with her own son but behaves even worse with her husband. So much so, that Philip doesn't even want to sleep in the same room with her anymore--which only supplies her even more ammunition to use against him. Be that as it may, the scene then shifts to an attractive young woman named "Mary Gray" (Ella Raines) entering the store where Philip works to inquire about a job. Unfortunately, Philip has to inform her that there are no openings within the company but wishes her the best, all the same. That evening, he happens to find her crying on a park bench and, being the compassionate person that he is, offers to buy her dinner and listen to her problems. One thing leads to another and after several weeks they become quite enamored with one another. Needless to say, Cora begins to get suspicious and after some thorough snooping on her part, angrily informs Philip that she intends to sully Mary's reputation--despite his assertions that nothing untoward had developed between them. That same night, Cora is killed by an apparent fall from the top of the stairs. And although the coroner considers her death accidental, a detective by the name of "Inspector Huxley" (Stanley Ridges) is not totally convinced and the more he learns the more certain he becomes of foul play. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this turned out to be a surprisingly good film noir due in large part to the performance of Charles Laughton who played his part extremely well. Having said that, I feel confident in recommending this movie to those who might be interested, and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.