Matinee Monday: Shadow Of A Doubt (1943)



SHADOW OF A DOUBT is an Alfred Hitchcock classic. This 1943 thriller starring Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotton takes place in Santa Rosa, California. Here we meet a quiet and bored girl named Charlie (played by Wright). When it seems like nothing is going on in her family or personal life she receives wonderful news that her Uncle Charlie (played by Cotton) will be visiting. This makes Charlie happy because the two are very close and the family also adores him.

When Uncle Charlie shows up everyone is very excited until one day when Charlie is confronted by two men portraying themselves as journalists working on a national survey of an average American family. Charlie soon learns they are really not the people she thought they were, and they finally come clean telling her they are detectives and suspect her uncle as being the "Merry Widow Murderer". A man known for robbing and murdering wealthy Widowers.

At first Charlie refuses to believe her Uncle could be a killer, but her suspicions are confirmed after he starts to act strangely even speaking about his anger and hatred for widowers one night at the dinner table conversation.

Charlie tries hard not to show her Uncle that she now thinks of him as a killer, but it becomes apparent very quickly to him that things are not the same as they were when he arrived. He tries to talk to Charlie, but she refuses to speak about it with him any longer. She tells her Uncle she wants him to leave her and her family at once. Then strange things being to happen when Charlie falls down some broken stairs, and becomes locked in the garage with the car still running the engine. Uncle Charlie stages a fake rescue, but Charlie believes he is trying to now hurt her so she will be silenced for good.

After it seems he can’t do much about Charlie knowing his secret and he sees the detectives are hot on his trail, he thinks it’s time to move on to his next victim and announces he will be leaving to San Francisco. As the train starts to leave he forces Charlie to stay with him and while it starts to go he begins to try and push her off. During the struggle Uncle Charlie falls to his death into an oncoming train.

At his funeral he is spoken about in high regards. Charlie does not tell anyone about her secret which is only shared between her and the detective she has now started to fall in love with.

SHADOW OF A DOUBT is a true masterpiece and was met with many positive reviews when released. The city of Santa Rosa where it was filmed is where I grew up. The original house that Charlie lives in the film still exist as does the old train depot which is now a visiting center. Although a lot of the other buildings have since been destroyed due to age and earthquakes, I think it’s still very interesting such a wonderful movie was filmed in the city I know best. I think if you love Hitchcock films you should defiantly check it out. You will not be disappointed.

Happy Birthday Rita Hayworth

October 17, 1918 – May 14, 1987

Rita Hayworth was shy, beautiful and charming. She had the most beautiful legs in Hollywood during the 1940’s in my opinion. Voted best lips by The Artists League of America in 1949, Rita is still one of the most recognized and beloved stars to this day. Rita Hayworth loved acting and dancing. She starred in films with leading men such as Fred Astaire, Cary Grant, Tyrone Power and Gene Kelly. Rita Hayworth is listed as one of the American Film Institute’s Greatest Stars Of All Time. This beauty was truly fabulous. Happy Birthday to one of the most loved stars in the heavens.

Miracle in Chile

I remember 2 months ago when I first heard this story it just broke my heart. I hoped and prayed all the time for a good ending. I was also amazed every day to see the will power these individuals could have in what seems like an impossible feat. Personally I don't think I could have made it through physically or mentally like these brave men did.

It took my breath away when I saw the first miner rise from above. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen for hours and every time they pulled someone else out I couldn't help but feel the tears and happiness in my heart.

Now all the miners have been rescued and I truly believe it's a miracle. It's hard to imagine that anyone couldn't believe in miracles after seeing such a wonderful and powerful event unfold right in front of their eyes.

I couldn't be happier for these men's family and friends, and I wish them the best in life always and forever. I also respect the rescuers and everyone involved who made it possible for these men to have a second chance at life. You are true heroes to your country and to everyone around the world.

Boardwalk Empire, gotta love it!

Boardwalk Empire, a series set in the 1920’s during Prohibition Era. It stars Steve Buscemi and is based on Nelson Johnson’s book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and corruption of Atlantic City.

Steve Buscemi plays Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a political figure who rose to prominence and controlled Atlantic City, New Jersey during the Prohibition period of the 1920s and 1930s.

Nucky associates with many mobsters, politicians and the people of the city that look up to him. He’s brilliant but a complicated individual. Always a step ahead of the government officials who constantly send others to look into the business he is conducting behind the scenes.

James "Jimmy" Darmody is a young man who just returned from WW 1. He looks up to Nucky and wants to work alongside him. He would love to be just as important as Nucky someday. Margaret Schroeder is an abused woman who looks to Nucky for help to feed her children because of her husband’s debts. Soon after the first episode he solves her “problem” in more ways then one. He then helps her get a job. He starts to take a slight interest in Margaret although he has a girlfriend who can be a little overbearing and ditsy at times and doesn’t treat Margaret so kindly. Other characters include Nucky’s younger brother who is the sheriff, and you get to witness many colorful characters including popular gangsters Al Capone and Charles “Lucky” Luciano.

Boardwalk Empire is the best show since The Sopranos in my opinion. It’s edgy, creative, interesting and keeps you wanting more. I am enjoying it so much. I also love seeing how they created the Atlantic City of the 20’s because it feels like your really there and a part of what it was like back then. I enjoy the music and especially the clothing of the era which is one of my all time favorites. Boardwalk Empire is a must see. You can catch it on HBO, Sunday nights.