Writing with Hitchcock: Shadow of a Doubt and Uncle Charlie's Hands

Steven DeRosa discusses the ending of the film Hitchcock claimed was his favorite of his own movies. The ending that made it to the screen was somewhat different than Hitchcock and writer Thornton Wilder initially intended. Also examined is the hand motif that occurs in the film.

[joyis]

It was a great movie .. I was impressed that the detectives were nowhere around when young Charlie was targeted for being killed by Uncle Charlie on 3 different occassions .. She was the one who solved the case .. and she was the one who had to face the killer alone .... Pretty ahead of its time ... since the love interest, a big strong police detective,  never did one thing to really protect her. She did it all on her own ...

[stormbringerr]

thanks, this is my favorite Hitchcock movie.

[joyis]

It was cool to hear this probably was Hitchcock's favorite film... Thanks ...Good to know ..

[JonathanByron]

Yes, Hitchcock def mentioned this to be his fav film. It's my second fav of his after Vertigo of course, which is a masterpiece for so many reasons. I really enjoyed this little analysis. Thanks!

[poetcomic]

FINALLY someone mentions that in being complicit in getting Uncle Charlie out of town young Charlie could be openly complicit in his future murders - he already has 'that nice Mrs. Potter' on board and in his sites. Would young Charlie have told the cops? I think she mainly wanted to protect her mother from what he became.

[acdragonrider]

I watched this and frenzy in addition with many of other Hitchcock films recently. Very surprised how much I loved it. I am still trying to place it on my list. Either as six or seven

[machia-mwlm]

Opening scene is the Old 1st Ward in NEWARK. Nice to see the old neighborhood the way it once was.

[rebelguy]

I thought few camera angles were unconvincing... very good allover .

[sclogse]

Never could trust that Joseph. Thanks for this.

[rebelguy]

To catch e thief, psycho and rear window are my favourite ...

[EdwardElric]

Okay you gotta explain why he loved The Trouble with Harry. Because I don't like that one compared to he's other films.

[arlichar]

i love this film for the feeling it presents of the time and place! but my biggest issue with it is that we the audience knew that uncle charlie was bad the whole time.. and the ending was bad! it would have been better to have either made him actually be innocent, and lil charlie killed him under false suspicion, or that he thinks hes getting away, and lil charlie surprises him and kills on purpose..! and the worst part of the film is that the detective falls in love with lil charlie.. that was not needed and pointless to the story....and just didnt seem realistic...

[GrumpyYank]

Why that AWFUL music????
Necessary? Welcoming new viewers?
Interesting content tho.
Try speaking more slowly?

[davidh]

Good video except for the awful music.

[AndrewIsbell]

is that glistening snot just under his nose

[songanddanceman]

OK, so, hands. Why is that so astonishing? Aside from our faces, our hands are the most expressive part of our bodies. Not really all that remarkable.