Comments on: Shadow of a Doubt (1943) http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/ Film reviews and commentary tonight, before I forget tomorrow Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:21:30 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Joe Valdez http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/comment-page-1/#comment-1760 Joe Valdez Tue, 09 Oct 2007 03:56:57 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/#comment-1760 Damian: Hitchcock did infer this movie was his "most satisfying" for many years, but seemed to backtrack when talking to the <em>Cahiers du cinéma</em> crowd for posterity in the 1960s, saying it was only "one" of his favorites. A lot of people whose opinion I respect do rank this as one of their favorite Hitchcock movies of all time, if not #1, but I doubt it would crack my top 10. I'm a mutant like that. Justine: Damian addressed your question about the tone of the picture. Yeah, I don't know if I'd call this a "thriller" either. Like so many of Hitchcock's films, it defies easy categorization. I'll keep your comment about Joan Fontaine in mind when I watch <em>Rebecca</em> and <em>Suspicion</em>. Or, I'll try not to! Damian: Hitchcock did infer this movie was his “most satisfying” for many years, but seemed to backtrack when talking to the Cahiers du cinéma crowd for posterity in the 1960s, saying it was only “one” of his favorites. A lot of people whose opinion I respect do rank this as one of their favorite Hitchcock movies of all time, if not #1, but I doubt it would crack my top 10. I’m a mutant like that.

Justine: Damian addressed your question about the tone of the picture. Yeah, I don’t know if I’d call this a “thriller” either. Like so many of Hitchcock’s films, it defies easy categorization. I’ll keep your comment about Joan Fontaine in mind when I watch Rebecca and Suspicion. Or, I’ll try not to!

]]> By: Justine http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/comment-page-1/#comment-1745 Justine Mon, 08 Oct 2007 18:18:28 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/#comment-1745 One of my favourite Hitchcocks, I only rewatched it this weekend. I had no idea Hitchcock wanted a Joan Fontaine character for the role of young Charlie, I'm happy he decided against it because Fontaine is one of those actresses who annoys me to no end...especially in Rebecca. As it happens when rewatching an old favourite, you notice something new everytime. Two days ago when I watched it I was all about how Hitchcock used the camera, it was in almost constant movement, moving around corners, tracking down streets, etc. Many of them are difficult to pull off but done absolutely effortlessly so that you barely even notice them. There is also the comedy of the situation and characters, which I think probably falls into what you call melodrama. It's more tongue and cheek than I ever thought, over the top, but I think it's intentional... One of my favourite Hitchcocks, I only rewatched it this weekend. I had no idea Hitchcock wanted a Joan Fontaine character for the role of young Charlie, I’m happy he decided against it because Fontaine is one of those actresses who annoys me to no end…especially in Rebecca. As it happens when rewatching an old favourite, you notice something new everytime. Two days ago when I watched it I was all about how Hitchcock used the camera, it was in almost constant movement, moving around corners, tracking down streets, etc. Many of them are difficult to pull off but done absolutely effortlessly so that you barely even notice them. There is also the comedy of the situation and characters, which I think probably falls into what you call melodrama. It’s more tongue and cheek than I ever thought, over the top, but I think it’s intentional…

]]> By: Damian http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/comment-page-1/#comment-1738 Damian Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:53:46 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/#comment-1738 I've always considered this one to be one more of a drama that just happened to involved a murdering uncle rather than the usual "Hitchcock thriller" fare. Personally, I tend to think it's one of his best (if perhaps not one of his most revered and/or typical) films. I know, however, it was his confessed personal favorite, so maybe that influences my thinking in that arena a bit. I’ve always considered this one to be one more of a drama that just happened to involved a murdering uncle rather than the usual “Hitchcock thriller” fare. Personally, I tend to think it’s one of his best (if perhaps not one of his most revered and/or typical) films. I know, however, it was his confessed personal favorite, so maybe that influences my thinking in that arena a bit.

]]> By: M. Durón http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/comment-page-1/#comment-1717 M. Durón Sat, 06 Oct 2007 02:19:50 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/#comment-1717 JOE: Hitchcock did introduce Uncle Charlie under the somewhat sinister circumstances described above and, in his not having gone to the authorities after being given chase by the two unidentified men, audiences indeed had cause to suspect him. So, the director might not have intended to make a thriller ouf of this. JOE: Hitchcock did introduce Uncle Charlie under the somewhat sinister circumstances described above and, in his not having gone to the authorities after being given chase by the two unidentified men, audiences indeed had cause to suspect him. So, the director might not have intended to make a thriller ouf of this.

]]> By: Joe Valdez http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/comment-page-1/#comment-1696 Joe Valdez Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:24:35 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/#comment-1696 Heather: Leave it to a sociologist to suggest that I keep a psychological log of my emotional and mental state after overexposure to Hitchcock. Let's say that after seven films so far, I know how to commit a perfect murder, but do not yet have the urge to carry it out. Thanks for commenting. Jeff: Man, in a thousand years I would have never made that connection. Thanks for bringing your horror movie acumen to each of these articles and sharing your thoughts with The People. I appreciate it. M: The film might have been more of a psychological thriller if Uncle Charlie's guilt was in question throughout, but I never got the impression he was innocent or that Hitchcock intended to keep us guessing. Ole Uncle Charlie is acting pretty suspect right from the start. Heather: Leave it to a sociologist to suggest that I keep a psychological log of my emotional and mental state after overexposure to Hitchcock. Let’s say that after seven films so far, I know how to commit a perfect murder, but do not yet have the urge to carry it out. Thanks for commenting.

Jeff: Man, in a thousand years I would have never made that connection. Thanks for bringing your horror movie acumen to each of these articles and sharing your thoughts with The People. I appreciate it.

M: The film might have been more of a psychological thriller if Uncle Charlie’s guilt was in question throughout, but I never got the impression he was innocent or that Hitchcock intended to keep us guessing. Ole Uncle Charlie is acting pretty suspect right from the start.

]]> By: M. Durón http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/comment-page-1/#comment-1687 M. Durón Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:45:30 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/#comment-1687 Not a favorite though very worthwhile watching: admittedly solid proof of Hitchcock's superior narrative skills in developing a story. However, the storyline is such that reviewers will have a hard time commenting this movie without giving away what is meant to be a suspenseful uncertainty. There is lesser Hitchcock ('Suspicion' or others) where full certainty of their predictability (mistakenly having cast Cary Grant in it) takes place only after the ending confirms it; nowadays, audiences familiar with the director cannot expect otherwise, which makes the issue of an apparently mistaken identity ('The Wrong Man') somewhat of a letdown, not so much as happens in 'I Confess'. Motion picture aficionados more sophisticated in reading the clues (for which sophistication, for good and bad, Hitchcock himself is considerably accountable) and there are the previews, blurbs and promotional ads to spoil the intended suspense. Acute observation from Jeff McM, that. Not a favorite though very worthwhile watching: admittedly solid proof of Hitchcock’s superior narrative skills in developing a story.

However, the storyline is such that reviewers will have a hard time commenting this movie without giving away what is meant to be a suspenseful uncertainty.

There is lesser Hitchcock (’Suspicion’ or others) where full certainty of their predictability (mistakenly having cast Cary Grant in it) takes place only after the ending confirms it; nowadays, audiences familiar with the director cannot expect otherwise, which makes the issue of an apparently mistaken identity (’The Wrong Man’) somewhat of a letdown, not so much as happens in ‘I Confess’.

Motion picture aficionados more sophisticated in reading the clues (for which sophistication, for good and bad, Hitchcock himself is considerably accountable) and there are the previews, blurbs and promotional ads to spoil the intended suspense.

Acute observation from Jeff McM, that.

]]> By: Jeff McM http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/comment-page-1/#comment-1684 Jeff McM Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:13:51 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/#comment-1684 I like that Hitchcock uses vampire-movie iconography to color Uncle Charlie, who's lying in bed with his arms crossed over his chest when we first see him. I like that Hitchcock uses vampire-movie iconography to color Uncle Charlie, who’s lying in bed with his arms crossed over his chest when we first see him.

]]> By: Heather http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/comment-page-1/#comment-1680 Heather Wed, 03 Oct 2007 05:11:48 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2007/10/02/shadow-of-a-doubt-1943/#comment-1680 I am very curious to know what the psychological effect of 31 Hitchcock movies in 31 days will be. Please keep a side journal of your own emotional state and report to the fans of this distracted globe from time to time! I love the fact that you are drawing in historical information and quotes from other reviewers -- I have the feeling I can just come here and learn more than I ever wanted to know about Hitchcock films. Good luck with the remaining 29 days! Heather I am very curious to know what the psychological effect of 31 Hitchcock movies in 31 days will be. Please keep a side journal of your own emotional state and report to the fans of this distracted globe from time to time!

I love the fact that you are drawing in historical information and quotes from other reviewers — I have the feeling I can just come here and learn more than I ever wanted to know about Hitchcock films.

Good luck with the remaining 29 days!
Heather

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