The Unsuspected
directed by Michael Curtiz
This 1947 film straddles that line between noir and murder mystery. It's entertaining though there isn't that much mystery about the murderer's identity. Back then, some people still accepted Freud's/Jung's theories of a child's initial subconscious sexual attraction to his or her opposite sex parent.
My non-expert understanding of these theories is that many have been discredited and disproven or are out of favor for other reasons. Even so this film references them, suitably repressed and hidden for the mores of 1947 America. But they're hard to miss.
Even though the story is not original the film's shadow, smoke, and fog cinematography is simply too cool for words. And the dialogue, written largely by Bess Meredyth, Curtiz's wife, again gives the lie to the idea that successful women characters were only to be found in our modern day and/or only talk like or act like men.
Wife: "I'm certainly not going to swoon over you leaving but I do deserve an explanation as to why!"
Husband: "Oh you want an explanation do you? I'll give you one using carefully selected four letter words."
The characters have plenty of snark and wit. Everybody is a wisea$$ or a tough talking dame. The actors look like they were having fun.
Victor Grandison (Claude Rains) is an apparently well off genteel radio host who tells crime dramas and true crime stories. Although Victor broadcasts from the studio, he does a lot of prep work, rehearsing, and writing from his stately mansion home.
One night in Victor's home someone murders his secretary Roslyn and strings her up from the chandelier, successfully making it look like a suicide. It's obvious to the viewer that it's no suicide and only slightly less obvious as to who did it.
Victor is good friends with Detective Richard Donovan (Fred Clark) who initially does only a cursory investigation of the suicide. Donovan figures that Victor is under enough stress already, having learned of the shipwreck and presumed death of his ward Matilda (Joan Caulfield).
Matilda was extremely wealthy and would have soon had full control of the inheritance that Victor currently manages. Matilda and Oliver were engaged once, before Althea made her move. Althea and Matilda were always rivals for male affection.
The family is surprised again when a man named Steven Howard (Michael North) shows up, claiming to be Matilda's husband. Victor's research determines that (a) this may be true and (b) Steven is even wealthier than Matilda so it's not money he's after. From either lust or boredom Althea makes a play for Steven.
The group learns that Matilda is alive and will be home the next day. Althea is upset to have her rival for Victor's (and Oliver's) love return. But Matilda claims to have no memory of marrying Steven. Matilda is happy to see Victor, whom she thinks of as a father.
Steven's asking questions about Roslyn's death. Steven won't leave. Victor doesn't like interlopers or people asking questions. Not at all. There are some other "accidents".
Claude Rains was fun to watch. Despite his short stature he dominated every scene. It's good writing to see people who are equally malevolent and affable. Sometimes such people even think they are smarter than everyone else and gloat about being the unsuspected.
