"I don't like to be an average girl in an average family" laments Charlie Newton in Alfred Hitchcock's noir classic Shadow of a Doubt. With the arrival of her enigmatic uncle, however, she makes the terrifying realization that her family might not be so average after all. Reportedly Hitchcock's personal favorite of all of his films, this 1943 drama marks one of the director's most subversive, cynical, and ultimately satisfying outings. Follow Charlie on a thrilling journey into the shadows lurking within every town and every heart in Shadow of a Doubt.
The story begins with small town teen Charlotte "Charlie" Newton preparing for the impending arrival of her beloved uncle Charles. When Charles arrives Charlie and her family are impressed by his wealth, worldliness, and charisma. As time goes on, however, Charlie starts noticing unusual things about him that neither he nor the rest of the family can fully explain. When a pair of alleged census workers arrive at the home asking to profile the 'typical American family' Charles' behavior becomes increasingly erratic. When Charlie learns that the census workers are actually detectives pursuing the notorious 'Merry Widow Murderer' she is forced to confront the possibility that the person she admires most could be a killer. When Charles' own suspicions are raised a thrilling game of cat and mouse ensues the likes of which only Alfred Hitchcock could concoct.
The film offers plenty of Hitchcock's signature suspense while setting itself apart as perhaps the director's only true entry in the noir genre. The film discards the convoluted plots that the director is most associated with, instead offering a straightforward mystery that remains firmly focused upon its morally murky characters. Similarly, the film avoids the glamour and action sequences of his later work by relating a tale of ordinary people faced with an extraordinary threat from within. The film particularly succeeds through the strength of its villain. Rather than merely menacing, Charles is presented with a mysterious charisma that leaves little wonder as to how he beguiles both his victims and family. As a result, the film subverts audience expectations and highlights the dangers that all too often lie beneath a charming surface. Even as it offers the thrills and moral ambiguity associated with noir the film inverts genre conventions by taking its villain out of the shadows of the back alley into the sunlit streets of small town America. The film additionally utilizes its setting to defy genre expectations and argues for the wholesome strength of small town values by pitting worldly, corrupted, city dweller Charles against innocent Charlie. Join Hitchcock on a journey into the shadowy realm of film noir in Shadow of a Doubt.
The film continues to keep viewers on the edge of their seats nearly eighty years after its' release thanks to the stellar work of its cast. MacDonald Carey acts as an ideal hero and excellent foil to Cotton's Charles as Detective Jack Graham. Patricia Colligne is delightfully daffy as Charlie's sheltered mother, Emmy. Ann Newton lends smart aleck humor as Charlie's precocious sister, Ann. Henry Travers offers an enjoyable and understated performance as Charlie's well meaning father. Hume Cronyn conveys nerdy charm as Joseph's true crime obsessed best friend, Herb. Even in the midst of ample supporting performances the film is dominated by Joseph Cotton and Theresa Wright as Charles and Charlie. Wright infuses Charlie with an innocence, vulnerability, resilience, and charm that will keep audiences rooting for her until the film's final frame. In Cotton's hands Charles is more than a mere villain as he provides viewers with a portrait of a killer while holding up a mirror to the darkness lurking within us all.
At once a twisting crime drama and a subversive exploration of the rot lurking just beneath society's surface Shadow of a Doubt is easily one of Alfred Hitchcock's most mesmerizing films. The film's script utilizes razor-sharp dialogue to maximal effect and offers a twisting plot that will leave viewers begging for more. Through its standout turns from Cotton and Wright the film presents a fascinating character study that serves as an expose of the American family and a glimpse into the mind of a sociopath. Take it from the man himself, Shadow of a Doubt is doubtlessly one of the greatest films that Hitchcock ever made.
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