# Suspicion

> 1941 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock

**Wikidata**: [Q1509470](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1509470)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspicion_(1941_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/suspicion-q1509470

## Summary
Suspicion is a 1941 American psychological thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine. It was Hitchcock's first film produced under his contract with RKO Pictures and earned Joan Fontaine an Academy Award for Best Actress.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, released in 1941
- Stars Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine in lead roles
- Produced by RKO Pictures, Hitchcock's first film under their contract
- Genre: psychological thriller, mystery, romance, and suspense
- Joan Fontaine won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance
- Based on the 1932 novel "Before the Fact" by Francis Iles
- Filmed in black and white with a runtime of 99 minutes
- Distributed by RKO Radio Pictures
- Budget: $1,500,000; Box office: $3,800,000
- Nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actress (Fontaine), Best Original Score
- Set in England but filmed in Hollywood
- Features Hitchcock's signature cameo appearance as a passenger on a bus

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Suspicion?**
The film follows Lina McLaidlaw, a shy heiress who marries charming playboy Johnnie Aysgarth, only to become convinced he plans to murder her for her inheritance. As mysterious events unfold, Lina's suspicion grows, creating psychological tension throughout the story.

**Who are the main actors in Suspicion?**
Cary Grant plays Johnnie Aysgarth, the charming but potentially dangerous husband, while Joan Fontaine portrays Lina McLaidlaw, the suspicious wife who won Academy Award for her performance. Nigel Bruce plays Beaky, Johnnie's friend.

**How did Alfred Hitchcock direct Suspicion differently from his other films?**
Suspicion marked Hitchcock's first film under his RKO contract and featured his first use of Technicolor (though the film was shot in black and white). He employed innovative camera techniques and created psychological tension through lighting and composition, establishing visual motifs he would use throughout his career.

**What awards did Suspicion receive?**
Joan Fontaine won the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the only actor to win an Oscar for a performance in a Hitchcock film. The film was also nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Score.

**How does Suspicion fit into Hitchcock's filmography?**
Suspicion represents a transitional period in Hitchcock's career, bridging his British period with his Hollywood era. It established themes of suspicion, psychological manipulation, and the "wrong man" scenario that would become hallmarks of his later work.

## Why It Matters
Suspicion matters as a pivotal work in Alfred Hitchcock's career that helped establish him as a master of psychological suspense in Hollywood. The film demonstrated Hitchcock's ability to create tension through character psychology rather than just plot mechanics, influencing the development of the psychological thriller genre. Joan Fontaine's Academy Award win made her the only performer to receive an Oscar for a role in a Hitchcock film, highlighting the director's skill in drawing exceptional performances from his actors. The movie's exploration of marital distrust and the power dynamics between men and women resonated with audiences during World War II and continues to feel relevant today. Its commercial success and critical acclaim helped secure Hitchcock's position as one of RKO's most valuable directors, leading to greater creative freedom in his subsequent projects.

## Notable For
- Joan Fontaine's Academy Award-winning performance as the only Oscar-winning role in a Hitchcock film
- Hitchcock's first film produced under his RKO Pictures contract
- Innovative use of lighting and camera angles to create psychological tension
- Adaptation of Francis Iles' novel "Before the Fact" with a significantly altered ending
- Establishment of recurring Hitchcock themes: suspicion, psychological manipulation, and the "wrong man" scenario
- Commercial success that helped launch Hitchcock's Hollywood career
- Critical recognition with three Academy Award nominations
- Cary Grant's departure from his typical romantic comedy roles into darker psychological territory
- Demonstration of Hitchcock's ability to work within studio constraints while maintaining artistic vision

## Body
### Production and Development
Suspicion was produced by RKO Pictures as part of Alfred Hitchcock's three-picture contract with the studio, marking his transition from British cinema to Hollywood. The film was based on Francis Iles' 1932 novel "Before the Fact," but the screenplay by Samson Raphaelson, Joan Harrison, and Alma Reville significantly altered the ending to comply with Hollywood's Production Code, which required that crimes not go unpunished. This change created one of the most discussed aspects of the film among critics and audiences.

### Cast and Characters
The film stars Cary Grant as Johnnie Aysgarth, a charming but financially irresponsible playboy who marries into wealth, and Joan Fontaine as Lina McLaidlaw, the shy heiress who becomes increasingly suspicious of her husband's motives. Nigel Bruce plays Beaky, Johnnie's friend and business associate, while Cedric Hardwicke appears as General McLaidlaw, Lina's father. The casting of Cary Grant was particularly significant as it marked a departure from his typical romantic comedy roles, showcasing his ability to portray darker, more complex characters.

### Direction and Cinematography
Hitchcock employed his signature visual storytelling techniques in Suspicion, using lighting, camera angles, and composition to create psychological tension. Cinematographer Harry Stradling captured the film in black and white, using shadows and contrast to reflect Lina's growing paranoia. Hitchcock's cameo appearance as a passenger on a bus early in the film became one of his trademark elements that appeared in most of his subsequent works.

### Music and Sound
The film's score was composed by Franz Waxman, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score. The music effectively underscored the psychological tension and helped build suspense throughout the narrative. The sound design, particularly in scenes involving Johnnie's mysterious behavior, contributed significantly to the film's atmosphere of unease.

### Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, Suspicion received positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success, grossing over $3.8 million against a budget of $1.5 million. Joan Fontaine's performance earned widespread acclaim, resulting in her Academy Award win. The film's exploration of marital distrust and psychological manipulation resonated with wartime audiences dealing with separation and uncertainty. Today, Suspicion is considered a significant work in Hitchcock's filmography, demonstrating his mastery of psychological suspense and his ability to work within studio constraints while maintaining artistic integrity.

### Genre Classification
Suspicion spans multiple genres, primarily psychological thriller and mystery, with elements of romance and suspense. It exemplifies Hitchcock's ability to blend genres, creating a film that appeals to audiences seeking both entertainment and psychological depth. The movie's genre-blending approach influenced subsequent psychological thrillers and established conventions for the "domestic suspense" subgenre.

### Historical Context
Released in 1941, Suspicion came during a significant period in Hollywood history as the film industry adapted to wartime conditions and changing audience expectations. The film's themes of suspicion and distrust resonated with audiences experiencing the uncertainties of World War II, while its sophisticated psychological approach reflected the maturation of American cinema during the 1940s.

### Technical Specifications
The film runs for 99 minutes and was shot in black and white on 35mm film. It was distributed by RKO Radio Pictures and premiered in New York City on November 14, 1941, before receiving a wider release. The production budget of $1.5 million was substantial for the period, reflecting RKO's confidence in Hitchcock as a director and the film's commercial potential.

### Cultural Impact
Suspicion has maintained its cultural relevance through continued critical analysis and academic study. The film is frequently discussed in courses on Hitchcock's work, film noir, and psychological thrillers. Its exploration of gender dynamics, marital relationships, and psychological manipulation continues to provide material for contemporary discussions about power and trust in relationships. The movie's influence can be seen in subsequent psychological thrillers that explore similar themes of suspicion and domestic unease.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1942)
3. Suspicion. Rotten Tomatoes
4. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034248/releaseinfo/)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034248/technical/)
7. [The Numbers](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Suspicion#tab=summary)
8. Kinopoisk
9. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=895.html)
10. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
11. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/4468)
12. Online-Filmdatenbank
13. Bechdel Test Movie List
14. mymovies.it
15. The Movie Database
16. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/EDC8-BD4D-9BF8-1C91-494A-V)
17. Danish Film Database
18. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/89777)
19. Trakt.tv
20. FilmVandaag.nl