Great review Miss Weiselberry. I saw Suspicion on TV as a teenager and was totally captivated by it. Although I'm a Hitchcock fan, and despite the brilliantly constructed scenes, I doubt I would even like the movie now. I totally agree with your comment about how as you get older you start having less patience for foolish decisions made by characters in a film. It has taken me out of the engagement with some movies to such a degree that I can't get back into them, or in the worst cases even finishing watching the movie! You've got to hand it Hitch though, the scene of Grant in deep shadow carrying the milk up the stairs glowing like a toxic radioactive substance is unforgettable.
Hi! You're so right, that glowing glass of milk is phenomenal. I'm always touched by the scene where Joan is about to elope but stops on her way to ask her parents if they need anything from the village, knowing she won't be back. She looks at them with such love and regret, that if they took the trouble to look at her, they would have seen that something was afoot. And then her mother says, yes, please match this color of thread and be sure to bring it back! Joan Fontaine could be very arch and artificial, but when she had a good role like this one, she was very good. And when she had a great part, like Rebecca or Letter From An Unknown Woman, she was breathtaking. I'm so glad you reviewed this movie, and that you didn't hate it! There are just too many good things about it that tip the scale in it's favor for me.
Eyebrow actor - love it! You're more patient than we are.in the end, well, we' ve never watched the whole thing. We get too frustrated with the waffling on both sides. Is she really that weak? No, she must not be. Is he really a heel? Well.... too frustrating. And yes, the original ending sounds better! Another enjoyable review with depth, JW. Thanks.
Not my overall favorite Hitch flick but a good one and, you can NEVER go wrong with Grant. No actor before or since has there been Cary Grant. You don’t like the characters because, you’re not supposed to, and that’s pure Hitch. He loved, in more than one way, to make his audience squirm🤪
A very honest and thoughful review Miss W. You've reminded me of just how often movies depend on people doing utterly silly things to drive the plot forward.
Hi J, happy Sunday, I was 75 percent sure I'd seen this one, but maybe the Hitchcocks are starting to blend together. The final scene really rings a bell though. the glowing milk? Not so much. I recently watched an interview with Fontaine that took place many years later; she was still gorgeous. Thanks for this excellent review. Have a great week and take care.
Thoughts: (1) I always appreciate it when Hitchcock tries something different, instead of going back to the things he always did well. (2) (That said, how many times did he put Cary Grant in an out-of-control car on a winding road?) (3) This might be the kind of story Billy Wilder did better, especially with casting leading men against type. (4) But unfortunately, Grant, for whatever reason, avoided working with his friend Wilder, costing us several potential Audrey Hepburn team-ups. (5) Funny that "Hold Back the Dawn" comes up- it's a very similar (and much better, I think) film- and written by Wilder/Brackett. (6) "Eyebrow actress"- that's gonna stay with me!
Your description of the repetition of Cary Grant’s behavior and Joan Fontaine’s acceptance of his explanations has been my problem with this film for years. I can believe this happens in many real life scenarios but my empathy is minimal. Thanks for the great observations !
This reminds me in some small way of a movie from the late nineties called Killing Me Softly. In this film, a wife who abruptly married a man she barely knew wrongfully suspected him of trying to kill her. At the end it was left ambiguous whether or not they were able to move past it. In the case of both of these couples, my opinion is that they would eventually go their separate ways.
Always thought if the Hitchcock preferred ending was kept, it would have been a stone cold classic. Feels like that abrupt change at the end is what a lot of reviewers found too jarring to overlook. This and Fincher's The Game (1997) are prime examples of audiences not buying the (studio interference) endings after a wonderfully suspenseful setup.
It's always good to hear your take on another Hitchcock film, even when, as in this case, I only saw it once about 40 years ago and can't remember much about it except that Hitchcock claimed to have put an electric light bulb in that glass of milk to show it up! The more we learn about Grant's background the more we see that he had a certain ambiguity and secrecy about him which Hitchcock cleverly made use of. The doctor cutting the fowl reminds me of Inspector Oxford (Alec McCowan) in "Frenzy" attempting to cut into his wife's gourmet offering of a roasted pig's trotter (one of several varieties of light relief in that movie).
I loved your review of this and understand your frustration with Joan Fountaine character in the film, I've always put this down to her being charmed by him and his being good looking. I like the ending and have only ever seen it as ambiguous and although it isn't the end Hitchcock ultimately wanted it is still good leaving the audience wondering did he intend to kill at that moment or was he always going to save her, the not knowing for me is the better way than if he had killed her, but I agree the Hitchcock ending would have been better.
~ I agree with your assessment, capped off with an unsatisfying cop out ending. Apparently, many more agree as well, as it’s rarely seen or discussed much anymore.
What “saves” the movie for me is the reading of the will scene, where she inherits the portrait of her father looking disapproving, he’s still doing his best to protect her without outright controlling her. One of my favorite unseen characters.
Let's Get Hitched * Cary Grant unnerves me in this picture. We get the Grant persona that we all know and love. But it is a seedy and desperate version. Cracking at the seams. Like finding out your charming uncle is a mu...mur...Murderer !!! * I agree with you that Joan Fontaine's attitude to the failings of her husband is somewhat maddening. Her character is intelligent, but her love is blind. This happens in life. Movies need to make sense. Fontaine's performance is top notch. * I listened to an audio bite with Quentin Tarantino. He is not the biggest fan of Hitchcock. He does like Suspicion. He thought the last shot indicated that Grant was going to kill Fontaine. On the other hand, I saw something more tender. Impressive. That an image can evoke feelings at the opposite end of the spectrum. Thank you for another Alfred. I like this movie very much.
I’ve always enjoyed Suspicion ever since I saw it as a teenager (or maybe even younger) -- and while I can’t claim to love it, I will say that every time I see it, it feels very comfy. Maybe that’s the wrong term to describe a thriller, but there it is. You’re correct about a lot of things here. But is Lina’s willingness to jump into such a quickie marriage off-putting enough to keep her (and the film) at a distance? I’m not sure - because frankly, she (or Miss Fontaine’s character) jumps into an almost as quickie a marriage here as in Rebecca - and for pretty much the same reasons. And for good or bad, I’ve always felt at a much greater distance from Rebecca than I do Suspicion. I like it, but never feel comfy watching Rebecca. Surely, for me, it’s Cary Grant who gives it that feeling - and (I’ll say it too) who elevates this over Rebecca. He’s Cary Grant, for goodness sake, so you can both understand and maybe even forgive Lina’s choices, not the least of which is her acceptance of “Monkey Face” as a term of endearment. (My sister and I would always laugh at that when we watched as youngsters!) Granted (no pun intended), I’ve seen women (and men too) go for the wrong partner and stay with them despite all signs telling them to run for the exit. Still, Grant is Grant -- and no one can touch an occipital mapillary like he can!
Thanks for telling me about the spoilers. I stopped your review when I found I could check out the DVD from the public library, and get it after the MLK holiday (and possibly snow, which will paralyze the city no matter how slight, since I live in Atlanta). Thanks. I'll tune back in once I've seen it.
Excellent review, Weiselberry. The aspect I find most frustrating is that, after the buildup of all the suspicion, everything is resolved by a quick two-minute conversation. There were several more logical moments during the movie when a similar conversation could have occurred. Lina's immediate disregard of all her concerns somewhat undermines her character development.
Kinda like ambiguous endings in mystery movies when they're done well. From listening to Hitchcock interviews, he struck me as a cantankerous guy when forced into a change in his creative vision. Instead of a blatant murder resolution by poisoning and justice served, the ominous, ambiguity of the actual ending leaves an uneasy feeling of "will they live happily ever after, or is hubby waiting for the perfect circumstance for an unhappy separation?"
Suspicion is a film you tend to think about a lot while watching and in the days after, I do. it is a good film, it’s Hitchcock but i tend to ask myself do I enjoy watching it? and what is it exactly about the film that makes it uncomfortable viewing? I think there’s a sense right from the first interaction between Fontaine’s Lina and Grant’s Johnnie that she’s in for heartache and the feeling just increases throughout. If a hopeful glimpse of love and romance appears even for a brief moment it’s quelled very quickly by Johnnie’s actions. How on Earth could he sell those chairs knowing what they meant to her and her parents and to a shop in the village? He was a hard character to like, he even made getting the chairs back a sweet gesture, Look darling I got back the chairs I sold aren’t i wonderful? lol. Lina overhearing her parents talking about her was a major shift in her mindset, she became frightened, afraid that they were right and she’d be a spinster and it felt like she decided to be with Johnnie for that reason, fear. She seemed content with her life until that moment and it would’ve been interesting to see if things would’ve happened differently between Johnnie and Lina if she hadn’t overheard the conversation, maybe their relationship would’ve happened but more slowly, maybe they would’ve discussed his issues before marrying? I have to say I really really dislike the word spinster, thank goodness it’s a thing of the past. I thought Cary Grant was terrific and he had to deliver quite a performance to make himself unlikeable but he managed it. There’s two moments that stand out to me, the first was his cold reaction to Beaky almost dying, it could be sinister apathy or could be assuredness, he’s seen this before and he’s confident Beaky will be okay and I thought Grant played it well, the second moment is Johnnie’s reaction during the reading of Lina’s father’s will, Grant conveyed the right amount of disappointment but didn’t over play it. I thought you could read it a couple of ways, he’s disappointed because he wanted the money or he’s disappointed because he and his problems are responsible for costing his wife her inheritance. Joan Fontaine was very good but was it really the best performance that year? Hard to say, what a lineup. Bette Davis-The Little Foxes. Olivia de Havilland-Hold Back the Dawn. Greer Garson-Blossoms in the Dust. Barbara Stanwyck-Ball of Fire. Joan Fontaine’s eyebrows should’ve received a supporting nomination lol. It’s sad Joan and Olivia were never close and couldn’t fix things before it was too late. I think the film would’ve been more interesting with Hitchcock’s original finale and it probably would’ve been a better film overall but I’m okay with the one we got because I’m hopeful for a happy ending, maybe unlikely with how the story played out but I’d like to imagine things turning out well for Lina. Perhaps Johnnie speaking openly about his addiction and his other issues is the beginning of change, he had Lina and Beaky with Beaky appearing to be the person he confided in and he’s gone so maybe he’ll now share more with Lina. She should make sure to prepare her own meals though lol. No more milk from Johnnie and nail the chairs to the floor. Off topic. While watching the devastating fires in Los Angeles on the news and the planes flying over dropping water I started thinking a lot about the film Always (1989) It’s not a perfect film but I like it, i think it has a lot of heart. It’s a Spielberg film that’s never mentioned, perhaps with good reason but I thought I’d mention it in case you have an empty spot to fill at some point this year lol. Thank you for another fantastic review, it even sent me down some TH-cam rabbit holes with clips from the 1942 Oscar’s and a couple of interviews from Joan Fontaine and Olivia de Havilland. ~ Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~ :)
I always have a hard time judging movies that have characters/themes/scenarios made to invoke anger, annoyance, etc. On the one hand, the movie has succeeded in what it has set out to do, but on the other, I'm angry or annoyed or whatever. As far as Suspicion is concerned, I'm not typically one that insists on clear-cut resolution to my films, but Suspicion's ambiguity runs throughout the entire film and I, like many others, find it off-putting.
I like that you acknowledge that one’s reaction and feeling toward a movie, novel, poem may vary on your day and mood. I feel this way more often than not. Characters played by Cary Grant are usually upstanding and honorable. Here the fact of his wrongdoing prior to meeting Joan Fontaine and the things he does during the marriage paints him a scoundrel. Aysgarth is bad. So we are to be thinking, Cary Grant can’t be bad. But his character is. I cannot get past it. I cannot accept that I should look past his actions. I like the movie in certain ways, but I never liked the ending. We are left with the prince and princess riding off in their carriage. I never knew the book’s ending, which is more griping. Thanks for the review and the inclusion of the book’s ending.
American films from that time can get a little bit dark but nowhere near as dark as having Grant poison a women. Maybe the darkest film from that time is Cat People? Not sure how you feel about that, Miss Weiselberry.
Hi JW! I haven't seen this movie in many years, so I really should watch it again after listening to your review. But egads - it is a little unnerving with lovable Cary Grant as a cheesy slimeball! (There are a few modern movies that also have characters I personally found too awful to like, even though the audience is supposed to go along with them bc it's a charming actor in the role.) Love Hitchcock, but what might've been more interesting to me is if maybe casting Peter Lorre as Johnny and making it more of a black comedy/romcom - kind of like a crazy sequel to Arsenic and Old Lace. :)
If you haven't yet, you should review The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. I'd like to know your opinion. I love this movie, and I think you will, too.
Thank you for sharing this video! It's been a long time since I've seen this movie and your review makes me wonder I too don't gravitate towards it. I don't really know why. Perhaps I also felt the same as you. Regardless your review makes me want to watch it again. Even if just to see why I don't have a strong opinion about the movie. I love Cary Grant but I don't have strong feelings about this movie. Your review puts the movie back on my radar. Well done!
Hitchcock is my favorite director, but I have to admit this is not one of his best. (in my opinion) If its possible to have an overrated Hitch movie, this would be it. I've given this movie several chances and felt the same way each time. But I do agree with you. I don't hate it so don't get me wrong.
Dear Ms Weiselberry, Another great review! I generally feel the same about the ending, but I guess it is the sign of a good movie if we can interpret it in such different ways.
Excellent review, both in the original and in the Editing Weiselberry version. And it came in Grant's birthday too! Fontaine *is* certainly an eyebrow actress, I loved that description 😅
I think you don't realize that people used to "not" wait too long in order to get married at that time. At least from hearing any of the stories from any of my parents and grandparents. Granted this is "movie" rushing to get married but people really did jump into things. Perhaps the sensibilities of the movie didn't age well?
Another fabulous review!!! Quite frankly, this was one Hitchcock movie that I didn't like at first. However, after some revisiting, I can say it's pretty average compared to Hitchcock's other films. I can put this one on as background noise rather than being immersed in the plot and characters. 🤷♀️🤷♀️
This isn’t nearly as good as Hitchcock’s Rebecca, in my opinion. Rebecca is probably my favorite black and white Hitchcock film and Joan Fontaine should have won Best Actress for Rebecca, instead of Ginger Rogers for Kitty Foyle. This would have allowed Barbara Stanwyck to win her only Best Actress Oscar for Ball of Fire, a better film than Suspicion. Joan Fontaine’s win over Bette Davis in The Little Foxes and Barbara Stanwyck in Ball of Fire is baffling. The Oscars are so political.
I have this in my collection and it’s been a couple years since I last played it. Maybe I’ll rewatch tonight. I always compare the ballroom scenes of Suspicion to Waterloo Bridge. Both are supposed to be in country, English settings and both have American accented performers, and lovely costumes.
This review caused me to discover that I have grown to dislike (almost) all” super-whatever” characters… whether cads-as in this movie- or spies, snobs, etc. in favor of what Cary Grant called the “ Everyman” ( or nowadays, everyone) character. With a “super dislike “ for the super sophisticated section of a character. Just a realization. Thank you
Cary Grant is one of my favorite actors and Hitchcock is one of my favorite directors, but this movie is a mess. Good acting doesn't make up for unlikeable lead characters and an ending that is not consistent with the story up to that point. You point out the movies flaws very well, but I can't forgive them as you do. Of the forty Hitchcock movies that I have seen the is my second least favorite movie of his - Mr. and Mrs. Smith is the clear dog of the group. In my opinion, this is a bad movie.
Excellent review... Skipped spoilers, though. I wish you'd make more longer reviews for movies you really really liked, as last week's The Zone of Interest... I haven't yet watched all your videography, so I don't know what you think of him but, RIP David Lynch. Hopefully you can make a video about him soon!
It must have ben a challenge for Hitchcock to make this film in the middle of World War 2 when there was not a lot of happy news to appease his audience.
I like your review and comments on this movie. Somehow I'm thinking of a somewhat similar theme in the more recent movie "Promising Young Woman". Not quite Hitchcock but I think it is excellent with fine performances including Carey Mulligan. Thanks.
Being a bit of a Sherlockian, I well know Nigel Bruce's Doctor Watson. I am a geezer now, but as a teen I had a love-for-mens-romance with Doyle's Holmes, and everything related to it. I had great fun with that interest. I particularly love the 1979 film, "Murder by Decree." To me, having recently rewatched, that film remains delicious. I also love those great PBS portrayals of Holmes by Jeremy Brett, who so captures the quirky protagonist.
The internet is 99% garbage these days, and TH-cam is no exception, but single-handedly you've made the whole thing worthwhile.
Great review Miss Weiselberry. I saw Suspicion on TV as a teenager and was totally captivated by it. Although I'm a Hitchcock fan, and despite the brilliantly constructed scenes, I doubt I would even like the movie now. I totally agree with your comment about how as you get older you start having less patience for foolish decisions made by characters in a film. It has taken me out of the engagement with some movies to such a degree that I can't get back into them, or in the worst cases even finishing watching the movie!
You've got to hand it Hitch though, the scene of Grant in deep shadow carrying the milk up the stairs glowing like a toxic radioactive substance is unforgettable.
Thank you, Sister Jerome, for helping me stay warm on a frosty Texas night.
Hi! You're so right, that glowing glass of milk is phenomenal. I'm always touched by the scene where Joan is about to elope but stops on her way to ask her parents if they need anything from the village, knowing she won't be back. She looks at them with such love and regret, that if they took the trouble to look at her, they would have seen that something was afoot. And then her mother says, yes, please match this color of thread and be sure to bring it back! Joan Fontaine could be very arch and artificial, but when she had a good role like this one, she was very good. And when she had a great part, like Rebecca or Letter From An Unknown Woman, she was breathtaking. I'm so glad you reviewed this movie, and that you didn't hate it! There are just too many good things about it that tip the scale in it's favor for me.
Eyebrow actor - love it! You're more patient than we are.in the end, well, we' ve never watched the whole thing. We get too frustrated with the waffling on both sides. Is she really that weak? No, she must not be. Is he really a heel? Well.... too frustrating. And yes, the original ending sounds better! Another enjoyable review with depth, JW. Thanks.
Being an old lady having seen friends go back to men over and over, found it realistic.
Me too, Monkeyface.
Not my overall favorite Hitch flick but a good one and, you can NEVER go wrong with Grant. No actor before or since has there been Cary Grant. You don’t like the characters because, you’re not supposed to, and that’s pure Hitch. He loved, in more than one way, to make his audience squirm🤪
A very honest and thoughful review Miss W. You've reminded me of just how often movies depend on people doing utterly silly things to drive the plot forward.
That last shot. The slow way his arm comes up behind her 🧐.
Hi J, happy Sunday, I was 75 percent sure I'd seen this one, but maybe the Hitchcocks are starting to blend together. The final scene really rings a bell though. the glowing milk? Not so much. I recently watched an interview with Fontaine that took place many years later; she was still gorgeous. Thanks for this excellent review. Have a great week and take care.
Thoughts: (1) I always appreciate it when Hitchcock tries something different, instead of going back to the things he always did well. (2) (That said, how many times did he put Cary Grant in an out-of-control car on a winding road?) (3) This might be the kind of story Billy Wilder did better, especially with casting leading men against type. (4) But unfortunately, Grant, for whatever reason, avoided working with his friend Wilder, costing us several potential Audrey Hepburn team-ups. (5) Funny that "Hold Back the Dawn" comes up- it's a very similar (and much better, I think) film- and written by Wilder/Brackett. (6) "Eyebrow actress"- that's gonna stay with me!
Your description of the repetition of Cary Grant’s behavior and Joan Fontaine’s acceptance of his explanations has been my problem with this film for years. I can believe this happens in many real life scenarios but my empathy is minimal. Thanks for the great observations !
This reminds me in some small way of a movie from the late nineties called Killing Me Softly. In this film, a wife who abruptly married a man she barely knew wrongfully suspected him of trying to kill her. At the end it was left ambiguous whether or not they were able to move past it. In the case of both of these couples, my opinion is that they would eventually go their separate ways.
You still have that 2010's feeling on your videos, nice reviews btw.
Always thought if the Hitchcock preferred ending was kept, it would have been a stone cold classic. Feels like that abrupt change at the end is what a lot of reviewers found too jarring to overlook. This and Fincher's The Game (1997) are prime examples of audiences not buying the (studio interference) endings after a wonderfully suspenseful setup.
It's always good to hear your take on another Hitchcock film, even when, as in this case, I only saw it once about 40 years ago and can't remember much about it except that Hitchcock claimed to have put an electric light bulb in that glass of milk to show it up! The more we learn about Grant's background the more we see that he had a certain ambiguity and secrecy about him which Hitchcock cleverly made use of. The doctor cutting the fowl reminds me of Inspector Oxford (Alec McCowan) in "Frenzy" attempting to cut into his wife's gourmet offering of a roasted pig's trotter (one of several varieties of light relief in that movie).
I know what you mean! Sometimes, a film just irritates for a variety of reasons. I saw it ages ago and it did leave me unsettled.
I loved your review of this and understand your frustration with Joan Fountaine character in the film, I've always put this down to her being charmed by him and his being good looking. I like the ending and have only ever seen it as ambiguous and although it isn't the end Hitchcock ultimately wanted it is still good leaving the audience wondering did he intend to kill at that moment or was he always going to save her, the not knowing for me is the better way than if he had killed her, but I agree the Hitchcock ending would have been better.
~ I agree with your assessment, capped off with an unsatisfying cop out ending.
Apparently, many more agree as well, as it’s rarely seen or discussed much anymore.
What “saves” the movie for me is the reading of the will scene, where she inherits the portrait of her father looking disapproving, he’s still doing his best to protect her without outright controlling her. One of my favorite unseen characters.
Let's Get Hitched
* Cary Grant unnerves me in this picture. We get the Grant persona that we all know and love. But it is a seedy and
desperate version. Cracking at the seams. Like finding out your charming uncle is a mu...mur...Murderer !!!
* I agree with you that Joan Fontaine's attitude to the failings of her husband is somewhat maddening.
Her character is intelligent, but her love is blind. This happens in life. Movies need to make sense.
Fontaine's performance is top notch.
* I listened to an audio bite with Quentin Tarantino. He is not the biggest fan of Hitchcock. He does like Suspicion.
He thought the last shot indicated that Grant was going to kill Fontaine. On the other hand, I saw something
more tender. Impressive. That an image can evoke feelings at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Thank you for another Alfred. I like this movie very much.
I’ve always enjoyed Suspicion ever since I saw it as a teenager (or maybe even younger) -- and while I can’t claim to love it, I will say that every time I see it, it feels very comfy. Maybe that’s the wrong term to describe a thriller, but there it is. You’re correct about a lot of things here. But is Lina’s willingness to jump into such a quickie marriage off-putting enough to keep her (and the film) at a distance? I’m not sure - because frankly, she (or Miss Fontaine’s character) jumps into an almost as quickie a marriage here as in Rebecca - and for pretty much the same reasons. And for good or bad, I’ve always felt at a much greater distance from Rebecca than I do Suspicion. I like it, but never feel comfy watching Rebecca.
Surely, for me, it’s Cary Grant who gives it that feeling - and (I’ll say it too) who elevates this over Rebecca. He’s Cary Grant, for goodness sake, so you can both understand and maybe even forgive Lina’s choices, not the least of which is her acceptance of “Monkey Face” as a term of endearment. (My sister and I would always laugh at that when we watched as youngsters!) Granted (no pun intended), I’ve seen women (and men too) go for the wrong partner and stay with them despite all signs telling them to run for the exit. Still, Grant is Grant -- and no one can touch an occipital mapillary like he can!
I love that reviewed this! Love seeing old school movie reviews!
If only Hitch went with that original ending ....
Thanks for telling me about the spoilers. I stopped your review when I found I could check out the DVD from the public library, and get it after the MLK holiday (and possibly snow, which will paralyze the city no matter how slight, since I live in Atlanta). Thanks. I'll tune back in once I've seen it.
Excellent review, Weiselberry. The aspect I find most frustrating is that, after the buildup of all the suspicion, everything is resolved by a quick two-minute conversation. There were several more logical moments during the movie when a similar conversation could have occurred. Lina's immediate disregard of all her concerns somewhat undermines her character development.
Those tacked-on studio interventions always seem to stick out, don't they? See: "The Letter" (1940)...
Kinda like ambiguous endings in mystery movies when they're done well. From listening to Hitchcock interviews, he struck me as a cantankerous guy when forced into a change in his creative vision. Instead of a blatant murder resolution by poisoning and justice served, the ominous, ambiguity of the actual ending leaves an uneasy feeling of "will they live happily ever after, or is hubby waiting for the perfect circumstance for an unhappy separation?"
Suspicion is a film you tend to think about a lot while watching and in the days after, I do. it is a good film, it’s Hitchcock but i tend to ask myself do I enjoy watching it? and what is it exactly about the film that makes it uncomfortable viewing? I think there’s a sense right from the first interaction between Fontaine’s Lina and Grant’s Johnnie that she’s in for heartache and the feeling just increases throughout. If a hopeful glimpse of love and romance appears even for a brief moment it’s quelled very quickly by Johnnie’s actions. How on Earth could he sell those chairs knowing what they meant to her and her parents and to a shop in the village? He was a hard character to like, he even made getting the chairs back a sweet gesture, Look darling I got back the chairs I sold aren’t i wonderful? lol.
Lina overhearing her parents talking about her was a major shift in her mindset, she became frightened, afraid that they were right and she’d be a spinster and it felt like she decided to be with Johnnie for that reason, fear. She seemed content with her life until that moment and it would’ve been interesting to see if things would’ve happened differently between Johnnie and Lina if she hadn’t overheard the conversation, maybe their relationship would’ve happened but more slowly, maybe they would’ve discussed his issues before marrying?
I have to say I really really dislike the word spinster, thank goodness it’s a thing of the past.
I thought Cary Grant was terrific and he had to deliver quite a performance to make himself unlikeable but he managed it. There’s two moments that stand out to me, the first was his cold reaction to Beaky almost dying, it could be sinister apathy or could be assuredness, he’s seen this before and he’s confident Beaky will be okay and I thought Grant played it well, the second moment is Johnnie’s reaction during the reading of Lina’s father’s will, Grant conveyed the right amount of disappointment but didn’t over play it. I thought you could read it a couple of ways, he’s disappointed because he wanted the money or he’s disappointed because he and his problems are responsible for costing his wife her inheritance. Joan Fontaine was very good but was it really the best performance that year? Hard to say, what a lineup. Bette Davis-The Little Foxes. Olivia de Havilland-Hold Back the Dawn. Greer Garson-Blossoms in the Dust. Barbara Stanwyck-Ball of Fire. Joan Fontaine’s eyebrows should’ve received a supporting nomination lol. It’s sad Joan and Olivia were never close and couldn’t fix things before it was too late.
I think the film would’ve been more interesting with Hitchcock’s original finale and it probably would’ve been a better film overall but I’m okay with the one we got because I’m hopeful for a happy ending, maybe unlikely with how the story played out but I’d like to imagine things turning out well for Lina. Perhaps Johnnie speaking openly about his addiction and his other issues is the beginning of change, he had Lina and Beaky with Beaky appearing to be the person he confided in and he’s gone so maybe he’ll now share more with Lina. She should make sure to prepare her own meals though lol. No more milk from Johnnie and nail the chairs to the floor.
Off topic.
While watching the devastating fires in Los Angeles on the news and the planes flying over dropping water I started thinking a lot about the film Always (1989)
It’s not a perfect film but I like it, i think it has a lot of heart. It’s a Spielberg film that’s never mentioned, perhaps with good reason but I thought I’d mention it in case you have an empty spot to fill at some point this year lol.
Thank you for another fantastic review, it even sent me down some TH-cam rabbit holes with clips from the 1942 Oscar’s and a couple of interviews from Joan Fontaine and Olivia de Havilland.
~ Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~ :)
I always have a hard time judging movies that have characters/themes/scenarios made to invoke anger, annoyance, etc. On the one hand, the movie has succeeded in what it has set out to do, but on the other, I'm angry or annoyed or whatever.
As far as Suspicion is concerned, I'm not typically one that insists on clear-cut resolution to my films, but Suspicion's ambiguity runs throughout the entire film and I, like many others, find it off-putting.
Good review 😊
I like that you acknowledge that one’s reaction and feeling toward a movie, novel, poem may vary on your day and mood. I feel this way more often than not. Characters played by Cary Grant are usually upstanding and honorable. Here the fact of his wrongdoing prior to meeting Joan Fontaine and the things he does during the marriage paints him a scoundrel. Aysgarth is bad. So we are to be thinking, Cary Grant can’t be bad. But his character is. I cannot get past it. I cannot accept that I should look past his actions. I like the movie in certain ways, but I never liked the ending. We are left with the prince and princess riding off in their carriage. I never knew the book’s ending, which is more griping. Thanks for the review and the inclusion of the book’s ending.
I hate when people comment a novel. Sorry.
No need to apologize!
American films from that time can get a little bit dark but nowhere near as dark as having Grant poison a women. Maybe the darkest film from that time is Cat People? Not sure how you feel about that, Miss Weiselberry.
Wonderful review!
Hi JW! I haven't seen this movie in many years, so I really should watch it again after listening to your review. But egads - it is a little unnerving with lovable Cary Grant as a cheesy slimeball! (There are a few modern movies that also have characters I personally found too awful to like, even though the audience is supposed to go along with them bc it's a charming actor in the role.)
Love Hitchcock, but what might've been more interesting to me is if maybe casting Peter Lorre as Johnny and making it more of a black comedy/romcom - kind of like a crazy sequel to Arsenic and Old Lace. :)
Good job. Thanks.
I agree... it's a top Hitchcock but it's a decent entry. There's enough that I like that I'll watch it when it's on.
Big Jerome Weiselberry fan btw
If you haven't yet, you should review The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. I'd like to know your opinion. I love this movie, and I think you will, too.
Great movie and review
Thank you for sharing this video! It's been a long time since I've seen this movie and your review makes me wonder I too don't gravitate towards it. I don't really know why. Perhaps I also felt the same as you. Regardless your review makes me want to watch it again. Even if just to see why I don't have a strong opinion about the movie. I love Cary Grant but I don't have strong feelings about this movie. Your review puts the movie back on my radar. Well done!
Amen, Sister!
Hitchcock is my favorite director, but I have to admit this is not one of his best. (in my opinion) If its possible to have an overrated Hitch movie, this would be it. I've given this movie several chances and felt the same way each time. But I do agree with you. I don't hate it so don't get me wrong.
The book the film is based on, which I read recently (Before the Fact by Francis Iles) is equally as frustrating!
I should probably rewatch this, I remember not really liking this one.
Dear Ms Weiselberry,
Another great review! I generally feel the same about the ending, but I guess it is the sign of a good movie if we can interpret it in such different ways.
loving the classic reviews
I love your channel
Excellent review, both in the original and in the Editing Weiselberry version. And it came in Grant's birthday too!
Fontaine *is* certainly an eyebrow actress, I loved that description 😅
Me, too!
Excellent, perceptive review. This is one of my least favorite Hitchcock's for the reasons your describe - although it's still a good film.
love ya Jerome!!!
You're awesome.🙂
I think you don't realize that people used to "not" wait too long in order to get married at that time. At least from hearing any of the stories from any of my parents and grandparents. Granted this is "movie" rushing to get married but people really did jump into things. Perhaps the sensibilities of the movie didn't age well?
Another fabulous review!!! Quite frankly, this was one Hitchcock movie that I didn't like at first. However, after some revisiting, I can say it's pretty average compared to Hitchcock's other films. I can put this one on as background noise rather than being immersed in the plot and characters. 🤷♀️🤷♀️
This isn’t nearly as good as Hitchcock’s Rebecca, in my opinion. Rebecca is probably my favorite black and white Hitchcock film and Joan Fontaine should have won Best Actress for Rebecca, instead of Ginger Rogers for Kitty Foyle. This would have allowed Barbara Stanwyck to win her only Best Actress Oscar for Ball of Fire, a better film than Suspicion. Joan Fontaine’s win over Bette Davis in The Little Foxes and Barbara Stanwyck in Ball of Fire is baffling. The Oscars are so political.
Thank you!
I have this in my collection and it’s been a couple years since I last played it. Maybe I’ll rewatch tonight.
I always compare the ballroom scenes of Suspicion to Waterloo Bridge. Both are supposed to be in country, English settings and both have American accented performers, and lovely costumes.
Please make a Letterboxd account, if you haven’t already. Terrific video as per
This movie and The Birds, I find to have the most unsatisfying endings of all of the Hitchcock movies.
Ghosting in the early 40s.
This review caused me to discover that I have grown to dislike (almost) all” super-whatever” characters… whether cads-as in this movie- or spies, snobs, etc. in favor of what Cary Grant called the “ Everyman” ( or nowadays, everyone) character. With a “super dislike “ for the super sophisticated section of a character. Just a realization. Thank you
Cary Grant is one of my favorite actors and Hitchcock is one of my favorite directors, but this movie is a mess. Good acting doesn't make up for unlikeable lead characters and an ending that is not consistent with the story up to that point. You point out the movies flaws very well, but I can't forgive them as you do. Of the forty Hitchcock movies that I have seen the is my second least favorite movie of his - Mr. and Mrs. Smith is the clear dog of the group. In my opinion, this is a bad movie.
Nice video
Excellent review... Skipped spoilers, though. I wish you'd make more longer reviews for movies you really really liked, as last week's The Zone of Interest...
I haven't yet watched all your videography, so I don't know what you think of him but, RIP David Lynch.
Hopefully you can make a video about him soon!
Yes i agree i found it odd and i was very confused and i thought he was definitely bad but it was well done as you said thank you
It must have ben a challenge for Hitchcock to make this film in the middle of World War 2 when there was not a lot of happy news to appease his audience.
I like your review and comments on this movie. Somehow I'm thinking of a somewhat similar theme in the more recent movie "Promising Young Woman". Not quite Hitchcock but I think it is excellent with fine performances including Carey Mulligan. Thanks.
The movie drags. Also, how is GC attracted to such a mousey woman?
You’re my ideal lady. You’re amazing 😘
Being a bit of a Sherlockian, I well know Nigel Bruce's Doctor Watson.
I am a geezer now, but as a teen I had a love-for-mens-romance with Doyle's Holmes, and everything related to it. I had great fun with that interest.
I particularly love the 1979 film, "Murder by Decree." To me, having recently rewatched, that film remains delicious. I also love those great PBS portrayals of Holmes by Jeremy Brett, who so captures the quirky protagonist.