Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

A young woman discovers her visiting "Uncle Charlie" may not be the man he seems to be.

Director:

Alfred Hitchcock

Writers:

Thornton Wilder (screenplay), Sally Benson (screenplay),

Stars:

Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten, Macdonald Carey

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Teresa Wright	...	Young Charlie
Joseph Cotten	...	Uncle Charlie
Macdonald Carey	...	Jack Graham
Henry Travers	...	Joseph Newton
Patricia Collinge	...	Emma Newton
Hume Cronyn	...	Herbie Hawkins
Wallace Ford	...	Fred Saunders
Edna May Wonacott	...	Ann Newton
Charles Bates	...	Roger Newton
Irving Bacon	...	Station Master
Clarence Muse	...	Pullman Porter
Janet Shaw	...	Louise
Estelle Jewell	...	Catherine

Storyline

Charlotte 'Charlie' Newton is bored with her quiet life at home with her parents and her younger sister. She wishes something exciting would happen and knows exactly what they need: a visit from her sophisticated and much traveled uncle Charlie Oakley, her mother's younger brother. Imagine her delight when, out of the blue, they receive a telegram from uncle Charlie announcing that he is coming to visit them for awhile. Charlie Oakley creates quite a stir and charms the ladies club as well as the bank president where his brother-in-law works. Young Charlie begins to notice some odd behavior on his part, such as cutting out a story in the local paper about a man who marries and then murders rich widows. When two strangers appear asking questions about him, she begins to imagine the worse about her dearly beloved uncle Charlie.

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Plot Keywords:

widow | visit | murderer | suspect | detective | 

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Taglines:

A Blast of DRAMATIC Dynamite exploded right before your eyes!

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Genres:

Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 January 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shadow of Doubt

Filming Locations:

904 McDonald Avenue, Santa Rosa, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Skirball Productions, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hume Cronyn's film debut.

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Goofs

When Uncle Charlie leaves his room, the two men outside follow him. A shot from above shows them with very short shadows, showing that is around noon. They separate for a short while and when they meet, their shadows are much longer, though not enough time has passed for it to be that much later.

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Quotes

Ann Newton: [Answering the phone] Newton's residence, Ann Newton speaking. Oh, hello, Mrs Henderson, this is Ann. No, Mother isn't here. A telegram? Well...
[looks right, then left]
Ann Newton: I don't see a pencil so I'll have to have her call you back. I'm trying to keep my mind free of things that don't matter because I have so much on my mind. Oh, innumerable things.

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Connections

Referenced in 'Topaz': An Appreciation by Film Critic/Historian Leonard Maltin (2001)

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Soundtracks

"The Merry Widow Waltz"
(1905) (uncredited)
Music by Franz Lehár
In the score throughout the movie

User Reviews

This is one of Hitch's best with images full of suspense , drama and tension

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.