Darlings, as you know, shortly following the horror that was the murder of Leiby Kretsky by Levi Aron, two films kept floating through my mind. One was the Peter Lorre film, "M". and the other Alfred Hitchcock's "Shadow Of A Doubt."
Both were natural references in relation to the real life topic. "M," which I still have not seen, is the 1931 film, directed by Fritz Lang, featuring Peter Lorre in his star making role as child killer Hans Beckert, a man so hateful, yet so ruled by compulsions that when he plaintively cries out, "I can't help it!" you almost feel sorry for him. (I have seen several clips , loves, including this scene.) It is based on the real life Dusseldorf murderer, and was filmed in Germany.
Hitchcock's film is unerringly American, which makes it easy to relate to, and is continuously fascinating for the family/community that does not recognize the monster within its midst. (Not unlike Levi Aron). In this case, it is Joseph Cotten, in one of his best performances as Charles Oakley, a charming man on the surface, with demons lurking within.
Charles is a serial killer; one who preys on widowed women with cash, hence his being dubbed the "Merry Widow" murderer, and the repetitive shots of elegant couples dancing to Franz Lehar's waltz of the same name (which, for me, begs the question if this film should be done as a musical!!!!) is a stunning clue in for the viewer. Hitchcock had filmed "The Lodger" earlier, which tentatively dealt with history's most noted serial killer, Jack The Ripper. Now, readers out there who can prove me wrong are welcome to dispute this, but I will go out on a limb to say that "Shadow Of A Doubt" marked the on screen debut of the American serial killer.
Cotten's performance is thrilling to watch, as that cultured voice, suave moves and elegant outfits go far in fooling everyone, save young Charlotte Newton (aka, Charlie, who is named after Cotten's character) eldest daughter and niece, in one of Teresa Wright's standout roles. This is the role I want to play, girls; pure and virtuous, but capable of far more, as when she tells the psycho face to face, "Get out of here, or I'll kill you myself!!!!!" Way to go, Charlie. As an actor, this role would be far more challenging for me, rather than Uncle Charlie, which, darlings, you know I could do with my eyes closed!!!!!!!
Not having seen this in awhile, there were things I forgot. Like the ghoulishly humorous exchanges between Henry Travers as patriarch Joe Newton, and an extremely young Hume Cronyn, as neighbor, Herb, concerning murder, and how to go about it. Yet they are completely unaware of the real life crime drama taking place under their roof. Herb is an interesting character; somewhat milquetoasty, always being asked how his mother is (implying he is unmarried and lives with her), he is actually the perfect serial killer prototype. Yet no one would think of Herb, any more than they would of Uncle Charlie. These two are used to support Hitchcock's notion, which he used to sell Joseph Cotten on taking the role, that the murderers are among us; they can be anyone...even ourselves. Which is why this film still works so well.
I had forgotten Edna May Wonacott as Ann; her amazing sixth sense, at recognizing something amiss in Uncle Charlie, yet without enough life experience to understand what. And how about Patricia Collinge as Emma Newton, ditzy housewife extraordinaire, until we get to that scene as she rides off to the lecture in the car, where she is just beginning, but not quite, to put things together. Just as Hitchcock shows the monster among alleged normalcy, he shows here too that more than one realizes lurks beneath that alleged normalcy.
The camera angles, art direction, Dimitri Tiomkin's score, combine to make it impossible for anyone to take their eyes form the screen for a second. Monsieur and I were literally spellbound, as we sat, rapt, watching a film, whose outcome we well knew from having seen it before.
And girls, let me tell you, after all these years of seeing and hearing Macdonald Carey's voice on "Days Of Our Lives," what a revelation to see him, at 29, as Jack Graham. A REAL hottie, darlings!!!!! Hubba hubba!!!!!!!
After seeing this film after almost 20 years, I am amazed it does not occupy a higher place within the Hitchcock canon among viewers. But it is also deceptively simple, and I think many viewers are taken in, then quick to dismiss. "Shadow On The Doubt" is not so on the surface as, say, "Psycho," and while I would never do anything to discredit THAT masterpiece, I have to say that 'Shadow' works because its deceptive simplicity is far more deadly!!!!!
So, ding dong, girls!!!!! Maybe YOUR Uncle Charlie is coming for a visit. Just remember the three day rule about fish and guests!!!!!!!!!!
Dig that crazy waltz, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This was Hitchcock's personal favorite, of all his films.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for pointing this out; it gives me a chance to include some other things I left out of the original post.
ReplyDeleteThe DVD I watched it on had special features, including interviews. Shot around 2,000, Hitchcock's daughter, Pat, attested it was her father's favorite. Art director Robert Doyle talked about working on it, and, best of all, Teresa Wright (several years before she died) spoke highly of the film in relation to her career, how much she liked Jospeh Cotten, and she revealed that the quasi romantic garage scene between she and MacDonald Carey was written by actress Patricia Collinge!!!!
There have been three different remakes. The first two in the 50s. And that first remake, entitled both "The Return Of Dracula," or "The Curse Of Dracula" (for TV) stars Francis Lederer as a vampire who comes to a small town as Cousin Belac. The one who catches on is oldest daughter, and second cousin, Rachel. But plot for plot it is "Shadow Of A Doubt." The second two were more literal. In 1959, it was filmed as "Step Down To Terror" (The opening credits emphasized the damaged step.) with Colleen Miller. Her deceased sister's husband comes for a visit, she becomes attracted to him, but finds out too much. Then, in 1991, it was done as a TV movie, using the two Charlies again. Mark Harmon played the uncle, and was pretty good, given his standout performance as Ted Bundy. Unfortunately, Margaret Walsh as young Charlie was not the actress Teresa Wright was, and, frankly looked too old and overweight for the part. I was actually rooting for Uncle Charlie to knock her off in this one!!!!!!
One interesting novelty to this version was the opening, showing the killer enticing and then killing one of the widows. In a homage to Hitchcock, the widow in this one scene role was played by a still pretty good looking Tippi Hedren!!!!!!
Sorry, I'm behind on my "Queen" post readings, so just seeing this one. I have to say I'm shocked(!) that you, of all people, have not seen "M"!!!! Brilliant movie!!! Oh and "Shadow of a Doubt" has always been my fave Hitchcock flick! (I could relate to Ann, the younger sister.) Great post!
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