The Suspect (1944 film)
| The Suspect | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Directed by | Robert Siodmak |
| Produced by | Islin Auster |
| Screenplay by |
Bertram Millhauser Arthur T. Horman |
| Based on | the novel This Way Out by James Ronald |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Frank Skinner |
| Cinematography | Paul Ivano |
| Edited by | Arthur Hilton |
|
Production
company |
Universal Pictures
|
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
|
Release date
|
|
|
Running time
|
85 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Suspect is a 1944 film noir directed by Robert Siodmak, set in London in 1902, in Edwardian times. It is based on the novel This Way Out, by James Ronald, and was released by Universal Pictures. It stars Charles Laughton and Ella Raines.
Philip Marshall (Charles Laughton) is a kind, henpecked accountant who strikes up an innocent friendship with a young stenographer (Ella Raines) who had approached him looking for work. He gradually finds himself falling in love with her, but keeps the relationship platonic.
His wife Cora (Rosalind Ivan), who has also alienated their son with her shrewish ways, suspects the worst and threatens a scandal. Cora dies after a fall down the stairs at home, and it is left to the viewer to decide whether Marshall arranged the fall or not. It is strongly hinted that he did, although the death appears accidental.
A Scotland Yard inspector (Stanley Ridges) suspects that Marshall murdered his wife but is unable to prove it. An impoverished, drunken, wife-beating neighbor (Henry Daniell) is interested to learn of the inspector's suspicions, and relishes the chance to blackmail Marshall, whose respectability he envies. He threatens to invent a story about an argument between Marshall and his wife, which would appear to prove that Marshall had killed his wife.
Marshall kills his neighbor. When the Inspector hears of this second death, he sets a trap in which he pretends to frame his neighbor's long-suffering innocent wife for the murder. The success of the trap depends on Marshall's coming forward, rather than letting the innocent woman hang. The inspector believes that, in spite of everything, Marshall has never lost his innate decency.
Charles Laughton and Rosalind Ivan
Ella Raines and Charles Laughton
Charles Laughton and Henry Daniell
Following a world-premiere screening December 22, 1944, in San Francisco, The Suspect was released nationally on January 26, 1945. Universal's promotion of the film included a 30-minute transcribed radio dramatization in which Orson Welles played the role of Philip Marshall. The disc was recorded by WOR Recording, New York, and was heard on six New York radio stations January 29–30, 1945.
...
Wikipedia