Review of Shadow of a Doubt (1943) by Jeff B — 31 Jul 2011
A magnificent achievement. A dichotomy of American life: wholesome, radiant suburbia and the seedy, insensate underbelly of filthy sex and crime - embodied by a naive girl, Charlie Newton (a glorious Teresa Wright) and her ominously charming Uncle Charlie (easily Joseph Cotten's most riveting performance - his monologue at the dinner table about widows is blood-curdling).
The supporting cast is spectacular; Patricia Collinge, Henry Travers, Edna May Wonacott, and Charles Bates intertwine marvelously as the lovably off-kilter Newton family, and Hume Cronyn provides some comic relief as the Poirot and Holmes authority Herb Hawkins.
A fascinating look into the mingling of various levels of American life - a fascinating portrait of a vicious killer set to the august strains of Lehar.
This review of Shadow of a Doubt (1943) was written by Jeff B on 31 Jul 2011.
Shadow of a Doubt has generally received very positive reviews.
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