Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

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What's the use of looking backward? What's the use of looking ahead? Today's the thing -- that's my philosophy. Today."

Charlie Oakley (Joseph Cotten) leaves his home in Philadelphia to spend some time with his sister's family in Santa Rosa, California. He's a man with something to hide and his namesake niece, Charlie Newton (Teresa Wright), who adores her uncle Charlie, begins to suspect her uncle is in trouble.

When two detectives (Macdonald Carey, Wallace Ford) arrive, young Charllie is alarmed and begins to worry that her beloved uncle is a serial killer -- "The Merry Widow Murderer." But is he? In classic noir style, the story unfolds, full of mystery and surprises.

Henry Travers and Patricia Collinge play young Charlie's parents. Hume Cronyn is her father's crime mystery critique friend.
Masterfully directed by Alfred Hitchcock with those stunning musical interludes and bold crescendos by Dimitri Tiomkin. Screenplay co-written by Thornton Wilder, who brought a certain Our Town element to the family and town.

Run time: 1 hour, 48 minutes

Not rated by MPAA.

My personal rating: B