The Unsuspected
| The Unsuspected | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Michael Curtiz |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by | |
| Based on | the novel The Unsuspected by Charlotte Armstrong |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Franz Waxman |
| Cinematography | Woody Bredell |
| Edited by | Fredrick Richards |
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Production
company |
Michael Curtiz Productions
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| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
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Release date
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Running time
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103 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $2 million (US rentals) |
The Unsuspected is a 1947 American black-and-white film noir directed by Michael Curtiz, and starring Claude Rains, Audrey Totter, Ted North, Constance Bennett, and Joan Caulfield. The film was based on the novel written by Charlotte Armstrong. The screenplay was co-written by Bess Meredyth, who was married to director Curtiz.
A woman, Roslyn Wright (played by the uncredited Barbara Woodell), is found dead hanging from a chandelier in a posh mansion occupied by Victor Grandison, a popular "true crime" radio story host. Roslyn was his secretary.
Victor has also recently lost a niece, Matilda Frazier, presumed dead from a boating accident. But at a birthday party thrown by another niece, Althea, everyone is surprised by the appearance of Steven Howard, who claims to be married to the missing Matilda.
Victor is accompanied by his radio producer, Jane Moynihan, at the party. He is unsure what to make of the stranger, particularly with a family estate to be settled, and asks a detective named Donovan to investigate. Matilda turns up, but claims to have no memory of Steven or their marriage, despite his efforts to prove it to be true. Acting suspiciously, meanwhile, is Althea's husband Oliver, drinking heavily.
In time, Althea comes to believe her uncle Victor killed his secretary. Victor confirms this to Althea, then murders her as well. Steven confides to Matilda and Jane that he was actually Roslyn's husband, determined to discover the truth about her death. When proof is found as to what really happened, Victor gives a full confession on his final radio show.
The Unsuspected was originally a magazine serial then published as a novel in January 1946. Warner Bros bought film rights prior to publication and in May 1946 announced that Michael Curtiz would direct. Ranald McDougall wrote the first screenplay.
Warner Bros had just signed a 14-picture contract with Michel Curtiz's production company, Michael Curtiz Productions, and The Unsuspected was to be the first movie under the new arrangement. Curtiz's wife, writer Bess Meredyth, was on the board of the company, and she worked on the script. Humphrey Bogart was mention as a possible star early on. When Bogart proved unavailable, Claude Rains was cast instead. Charles Hoffman was assigned the job as producer.
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