Rated:

UK Dvd + Scans

Alfred Hitchcock's personal favourite of his own movies.

The suspenseful tenor of dramatics associated with the great man is utilized here to arguably the best advantage in unfolding a story [by Gordon McDonell] of a small town and the arrival of what might prove to be a murderer. Hitch poses a study in contrasts when the world-wise adventurer (Joseph Cotten) eludes police in Philadelphia to journey to his sister's home and family in the small California town of Santa Rosa. His adoring niece (Teresa Wright), is not only named young Charlie after her uncle, but knows there's a mental contact somewhere along the line. Amid the typical small-town family life, she intuitively feels that Cotten has a guilty conscience, and finally ties the ends together to cast suspicion on him as a murderer and fugitive.

Hitchcock deftly etches his small-town characters and homely surroundings. Wright provides a sincere and persuasive portrayal as the girl, while Cotten (is he the most underrated actor in movie history?) is excellent as the motivating factor in the proceedings. Strong support is provided by Henry Travers, Patricia Collinge, Edna May Wonacott and Charles Bates. Hume Cronyn gets attention as the small-town amateur sleuth.