Shadow of a Doubt
Pairs well with a cozy blanket & a bowl of popcorn.
Intriguing and intense, Shadow of a Doubt is a 1943 American psychological film noir thriller directed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock. Starring Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotton, and a young Hume Cronyn, this film was honored with an Academy award nomination for best story, recognizing the brilliance of screenwriter Gordon McDonell.
Shadow of a Doubt is the captivating story of the Newton family and their delightful life in peaceful Santa Rosa, California. However, the arrival of Uncle Charlie Oakley, a charming and sophisticated man, brings thrilling twists and turns to the story. But as Uncle Charlie’s niece (named Charlotte who goes by Charlie) discovers her uncle's true identity as the infamous "Merry Widow" killer, her enthusiasm turns to fear. And when Oakley realizes that Charlie knows his dark secret, the fear only escalates. Little accidents involving niece Charlie begin happening and this is when the story becomes a nail biter. The song “The Merry Widow Waltz” is background music in various scenes in the film and it’s haunting, gives me chills! As Charlie doesn’t want her mother to find out about Uncle Charlie, she keeps her knowledge of this “merry widow” to herself and things just get more and more frightening for her.
A few of my favourite lighthearted scenes involve Hume Cronyn as Herbie Hawkins, the oddball next door neighbour. He always walks into the house as the family is having dinner. He joins Mr. Newton at the table to discuss how he would go about committing the perfect murder. Both men are obsessed with this game and enjoy each other’s ideas on the topic. Later in the film, it’s Herbie Hawkins who discovers niece Charlie screaming in the garage.
When I watch this film, I always get goosebumps, even though I know what's going to happen! It's not your typical scary movie like, let’s say, The Chainsaw Massacre, but a gripping mystery full of unexpected turns. Curl up with a warm blanket and indulge in some buttery popcorn while enjoying this film in the comfort of your own home. For me, I like to watch this movie in a dark room and really get the feel of this great film noir.
In typical fashion, Alfred Hitchcock makes an appearance 16 minutes into the film on the train to Santa Rosa, playing bridge with a married couple, Dr. and Mrs. Harry. Despite suffering from a migraine and using a fake name of Otis, Uncle Charlie is aided by Mrs. Harry while her husband remains focused on their bridge game. The camera shows Hitchcock, holding a winning hand of spades! Who knew Hitchcock was a good bridge player?!
In 1991, this film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Shadow of a Doubt, Hitchcock's personal favourite, was also his most enjoyable film to create.
If you’ve seen this movie, or will be watching it, I’d love to hear your comments.
...Jill
Flicks & Forks movie snack pick:
Retro Buttered Popcorn
Ingredients:
Popcorn
Peanut Oil
Salt to taste
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
Directions:
If you’re going to use butter, place it in a small cup and microwave for about 40 seconds or until melted.
Add 3 or 4 kernels to the pot.
Add peanut oil to a depth of about 1/2 a kernel
Cover pot with strainer, put on stove burner, set to medium-high and wait for all four kernels to pop. If the oil smokes before all the kernels pop, you probably have old corn and need to replace it.
Immediately add enough popcorn to cover the bottom of the pot. Replace lid and shake back and forth. Continue heating, shaking every few seconds until corn is no longer bouncing off your strainer.
At this point you can remove the strainer to let more of the steam escape. The corn will stay in the pot because the corn popping on the bottom doesn’t have enough energy to eject all the corn above it.
Continue shaking sideways and add a vertical shake every now and then to keep the corn from being packed in too tightly.
When the popping slows, remove from heat and let it finish using the heat stored in the pot.
Transfer to serving bowl(s). If you’re using butter, drizzle it on now, then sprinkle on the salt, if desired.
Of course you could always pop a bag of Orville Redenbacher in the microwave but it wouldn’t be “retro” then, would it?!
A favorite Hitchcock movie. Joseph Cotton, who usually played good guys, is absolutely chilling, especially when he’s speaks of the “fat, useless widows” and then picks out his next victim. (My uncle was a dead ringer for Joseph Cotton; every one remarked on it). Teresa Wright’s transformation from a naive girl to a woman bearing the weight of the world is a wonder. Loved the “little” scenes such as when detective Macdonald Cary confesses his love for her but she is unsure. My only quibble is the ending when Uncle Charley is given a hero’s funeral. I don’t think the police would have kept it quiet that he was the serial killer.