CLASSIC MOVIE REVIEW: Hitchcock's SHADOW OF A DOUBT - STEVE HAYES: Tired Old Queen at the Movies

Look below for perfect gifts for Hitchcock fans and Movie Lovers.

 Death comes to small town American when Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotton star in Alfred Hitchcock's personal favorite of all his films; SHADOW OF A DOUBT (1943). Everyone in the Newton family is delighted that dear Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotton) has come for an extended visit. His biggest admirer is his niece Young Charlie (Teresa Wright) who begins to suspect that something isn't quite right with her mysterious relative, when two FBI men appear and begin asking questions. The suspense slowly mounts as she begins to realize she must release her Uncle from her what she thought he was, in order to see what he might actually be and that could be murder.

POSTERS:

COLLECTABLE:

 See Steve Hayes on screen! Now streaming:

DVD Storage:

OUR EQUIPMENT as of 2020:

“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Follow STEVE HAYES: Tired Old Queen at the Movies On:

[Scottsteaux]

As a fellow tired old queen, I have to say that Steve Hayes never disappoints me. SHADOW OF A DOUBT was Hitchcock's own personal favorite of his films, and it's pretty close to the top of my list, too. No Englishman ever depicted a typical American family as well as Hitch did here. And throw in the thrills and chills and you have a whopper of a suspense thriller!

[alidabaxter]

No wonder it was Hitchcock's favourite - it's perfect. Bette Davies screamed the house down when Joseph Cotton was cast as the husband she wants to leave in "Beyond the Forest" - "WHO wants to leave Joseph Cotton!!". Hadn't she seen him in this: so handsome, so charming and sophisticated, and with the slightest change of expression, so completely evil. It's a brilliant, subtle performance. And he comes into this sweet, trusting family, to a sister who adores him, a niece who loves him, and people so untouched by real murder that the father and a neighbour play a game about it because nothing like that will ever really happen anywhere near them. Theresa Wright is wonderful in this; goodness, intelligence, growing fear - all her emotions are visible, but only to us, the audience. And to her uncle. Perfection.

[zanetierney]

finally! you finally did my all time favorite hitchcock movie! i've watched this so many times! in my humble opinion, teresa wright was never better than in this...just check out that scene with her and joseph cotten in the bar/restaurant when she realizes she's looking pure pure evil straight in the love this movie so much! thank you for mentioning it.

[steveweinstein]

I always thought it was an allegory about America's loss of innocence in the war seen through Charlie's own loss of innocence. Definitely Hitch's finest.

[alfredbonnabel]

Joseph Cotton is such a good, solid actor. He cld do it all. Teresa Wright is a delight. The entire cast is tops!

[legit]

Steeeeve! I'm so glad that you're back. I saw this movie when I was a teen and it scared the pants off of me. Joseph Cotten was absolutely menacing as a nice/nasty guy. It was the first time I ever paid attention to Teresa Wright. She was fabulous in this.

[edwardcone]

This movie may bring us nightmares, Mr. Hayes, but you bring us enlightenment and -- ... LAUGHS!😅🤩 (THANK YOU!)

[andrewbrendan]

Saw this before I was old enough to appreciate it but I didn't forget "Shadow of a Doubt"! Steve, your review made me think of a time long ago when I was ice-skating by myself  and a man stopped his car to talk to me. Someone who lived not far from me then was John Gacy the serial killer.

[rem]

One of my favorite Hitchcock films, and Joseph Cotten was gorgeous and so talented.  Hume Cronyn and Henry Travers are hilarious in this.  Thanks for the review, Steve!  For anyone who's interested, Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright played husband and wife in the excellent film "The Steel Trap."  Check it out, you won't be disappointed.

[cbdplushealth]

Steve's passion for movies always puts a smile on my face. thank you!

[lucydavis]

One of my favorites; the acting ! The plot . Joseph Cotton is buried about 4 miles away. His family owned a hardware store and were lovely people.

[Muirmaiden]

Great to see you back, Steve and Johnny! Excellent choice of film too! I don't have this on DVD yet but I plan to get it soon. Very foreboding, in a very subtle way. I guess that could be why Hitch liked it so much. Small town menace, and Joesph Cotten was magnificent as Uncle Charlie. Teresa Wright I've always liked as well. The Merry Widow murderer! Evil in the family = chills down my spine.

[floraposteschild]

I love this movie so much! It puts murder and twisted sexuality where it belongs: in the home.

[baltoman]

What a great film, and the casting is perfection! Thank you Steve for another insightful and humorous examination of this masterpiece.

[TFQ]

I love your reviews SO much! I am on a Joseph Cotten kick currently (last night was Niagara) and am re-watching Shadow of a Doubt as I type this, but had to stop the movie and come search if you’ve done a review! And I’m so excited to watch after your review! You’re the best I appreciate you both so much!!

[kbunky]

So nice to see you both. Thanks for another great time and review. I never get tired of the tired old queen at the movies.

[BrokebackBob]

SO happy to have you back with us! It's just like a beloved family member who has
returned that everybody loves.

[Tonithenightowl]

My goodness I love tired old queens lol   You are a pleasure to watch, Steve. Wonderful review !!! :o)

[lnl]

Mr. Days of Our Lives patriarch, Macdonald Carey, played the love interest here for Teresa Wright. I loved soaps before I immersed myself in old movies. Judith Anderson and Virginia Mayo were on Santa Barbara. Joan Bennett, who actually screen-tested and was considered for the role of Scarlett O'Hara, ended up on Dark Shadows. Teresa Wright played a woman in cognitive decline on Guiding Light. Really admire the resilience and resourcefulness of these actors who did not have steady jobs with benefits and a pension!

Thanks, Steve, for another great video.

[danielstanwyck]

Do you believe that Joseph Cotten never got an AA nomination?  Well, what do you expect in a world that acclaims Charlton Heston and too many other non-entities?
Also Myrna Loy and Ed. G. Robinson!!!  You get the drift, don'tcha...