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Master of Suspense Part II - Page 2

© Jo-Ann Pittman

Hitchcock to the end, Young and Innocent, is the story of a woman who is murdered by her jealous husband after he learns she has a couple of lovers. One of her lovers discovers her body on the beach the next morning and as he runs to call the police, two people see him and accuse him of the crime. He must now evade the police until he can prove his innocence. Hitchcock is seen standing in front of the courthouse with a camera in his hand.

Hitchcock's first American-made film and his only film to win a Best Picture Oscar is Rebecca. Made in 1940, this is the story of a shy, young woman who meets a wealthy man and marries him while on vacation. When they return to his estate, she discovers that the memories of the first wife are still very strong, especially for the housekeeper. This begins to drive the young girl mad. Some interesting notes on this film, Oliver was so upset that the part of the young woman did not go to his then-girlfriend, Vivien Leigh, that he was very mean to newcomer Joan Fontaine. This really upset Fontaine and Hitchcock played it up by telling her that the whole cast and crew did not like her in order to enhance her performance. She is brilliant in the movie. Watch for Hitchcock walking past a phone booth.

Three years later, Hitchcock would direct a film called Shadow of a Doubt. Hitchcock said that this is his favorite of all his films. The story of a young girl who decides to invite her uncle, after whom she is named, to come for a visit. She discovers that he is already on his way. She is soon to discover that he is also being chased by the police who suspect him of being "The Merry Widow Murderer" who has been strangling wealthy widows up and down the East Coast. Hitchcock is on the train playing cards in this film. He has the whole suit of spades in his hands including the ace of spades.

Lifeboat is unique in that the whole story takes place within the confines of the lifeboat. When a cruise ship and a German U-boat are both sunk after the U-boat attacks in the middle of the Atlantic, the cruise ship survivors gather in a small lifeboat. The trouble really begins when the rescue another man who turns out to be the only survivor from the U-boat. The question, of course, would be how could Hitchcock do his famous cameo within this story. Well, look for him as the before and after pictures in an ad for "Reduco Obesity Slayer" in the newspaper. One interesting note, Tallulah Bankhead is wearing no underwear in the film. When the crew complained about having to work camera angles around this problem, Hitchcock said, "I don't know if this is a matter for costume department or the hairdresser."

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