Artists obviously view their own work differently than the rest of us... they hold themselves to a higher standard most times. Of all his now-Classic Films, Alfred Hitchcock personally considered his finest work of all to be Shadow of a Doubt (1943). It is interesting to watch the film with that idea in mind, it makes one look for things that really set it off for the great director, to view his best of the best. Shadow of a Doubt is an incredible film, with characteristic Hitchcock style, courting the awkward feeling that comes from placing a horrendous terror in the midst of everyday, commonplace life. Joseph Cotten, one of Orson Welles' famed "Mercury Players", delivers one of his finest performances. It is Hume Cronyn, however, in his film debut that steals the show as a pulp-novel obsessed amateur sleuth.
Charles Oakley (Joseph Cotten) is growing paranoid. Detectives keep hanging around his residence and are making him uncomfortable. They know something about him...
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| Shadow of a Doubt. 1943. Alfred Hitchcock: Joseph Cotten |
He decides to sneak away and stay with his sister's family in suburbia. He is greeted warmly...
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| Shadow of a Doubt. 1943. Alfred Hitchcock: Joseph Cotten |
especially by his namesake niece, Charlie (Teresa Wright)...
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| Shadow of a Doubt. 1943. Alfred Hitchcock: Joseph Cotten |
But all is not well for long. The detectives follow him there. Soon enough, Charlie learns that her uncle his hiding something...
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| Shadow of a Doubt. 1943. Alfred Hitchcock: Joseph Cotten |
She is terrified to find that her beloved uncle may in fact be a serial killer...
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| Shadow of a Doubt. 1943. Alfred Hitchcock: Joseph Cotten |
Now, she knows too much, and Uncle Charles may have plans to keep her quiet...
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| Shadow of a Doubt. 1943. Alfred Hitchcock |
