Watching 'Shadow of a Doubt'

Nov. 27th 1988

Watching 'shadow of a Doubt'

After years of delay, MCA Home Video has released "Shadow of a Doubt," the most disturbing and involving of Alfred Hitchcock's directorial efforts. This 1943 film is the last of Hitchcock's American movies to be released on tape, and I think 1937's "Young and Innocent" is the only one of note from his British period that is still not available. 

Hitchcock was brought to the U.S. by young David O. Selznick, owner of the best "independent" studio in Hollywood, and creator of the enormously successful film version of "Gone with the Wind."

Hitchcock directed the Academy Award winning "Rebecca," truly more a Selznick film than a Hitchcock, and from then on, ironically, made his best movies while out on loan to other studios, with such moving works as "Notorious" (1946), "Suspicion" (1941), and "Shadow of a Doubt." Once released from Selznick's contract, Hitchcock produced and directed a series of successes that made him the best known director to filmgoers.  During the 1950s, Hitchcock's name on a film guaranteed box-office cash.

Grotesquely fat and drinking heavily, he and his work went into decline during the '60s and '70s, but he left behind more then 50 films with fascinating tricks of audience involvement.

Made while the director was on loan to Universal Studios, "Shadow of a Doubt" effectively uses the theme of such earlier works as "The Thirty Nine Steps," that of a man on the run from the police, and in this case turns it on its head.  "Uncle Charlie" Oakley, played with chilling intensity by Joseph Cotton is in reality the "Merry Widow Murderer," a man who makes a good living marrying, and the killing rich old ladies.   He takes refuge in the small town of Santa Rosa, at his sister's house, and it is his niece, "Charlie," named for the beloved uncle, who slowly discovers the truth about him.

Those who have seen other movies by the director will recognize the situation:  an innocent, in this case an entire family living in a routine-formed vacuum, is struck by lightening, yet only young Charlie realized it.  The family is beautifully cast:  Henry Travers plays the unassuming head of the family, fearful of his boss and anxious to keep up appearances.  His doting wife is played with charm by Patricia Collinge.  As the younger kids, Charlie Bates and Edna May Wonacott are unusually distinctive characters for the '40s film, and the prize is Teresa Wright the oldest child, "Charlie."

"Shadow of a Doubt" is not just a simple thriller.  It is also an appealing portrait of small town life  (everyone knows young Charlie by name), yet also giving an occasional glimpse of Sana Rosa's underbelly.  One of the most poignant scenes is when Uncle Charlie drags his niece into a bar to talk over what she suspects.  They are waited on a by a dull eyed, apathetic girl who admits to having been a waitress in "half the bars in town."   She turns out to be an ex-classmate of young Charlie, and gives us a glance at what direction charlie might have gone. 

But the most chilling thing about this movie is its bent towards nihilism.  If the Merry Widow Murderer is not found out, it won't mean a whit to the small town - nobody except the principals will be the wiser.  Amidst the bosom of family and the friendliness of the neighborhood, each individual is an island, and some are pretty bleak islands at that.  The Thorton Wilder, Sally Benson, Alma Reville script is clever and entertaining, the music is adequate, and cinematic tricks show Hitchcock hitting his maturity, and the dark vision amidst the bright cinematography is a juxtaposition that won't leave you laughing. 

This one's a winner.

Shadow of a Doubt" can be rented locally at The Video Stop and the The Record Rack, and it would make a great "keeper" at its reasonable purchase price of $24.95.

Mac Rush works in the Banner's composing room.