Suspicion Overview:

Suspicion (1941) was a Film Noir - Mystery Film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and produced by Harry E. Edington.

The film was based on the novel Before the Fact written by Francis Iles published in 1932.

SYNOPSIS

This Hitchcock thriller has winning performances from Grant and Fontaine. In order to escape the oppression of her rigid, wealthy parents, Fontaine embraces the attention of Grant though she knows his reputation as a cad. When his friend Bruce turns up dead, Fontaine begins to think she's next and frets about the nightly glass of milk Grant brings her. Her fears reach a crescendo on a careening drive on a twisting road.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Academy Awards 1941 --- Ceremony Number 14 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActressJoan FontaineWon
Best PictureRKO RadioNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

“Suspicion” drives a wedge between Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine

By Stephen Reginald on Oct 21, 2025 From Classic Movie Man

“Suspicion” drives a wedge between Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine Suspicion (1941) is an American mystery-suspense film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine. The supporting cast includes Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Nigel Bruce, Dame May Whitty, and Leo G. C... Read full article


"Suspicion" comes between Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine

By Stephen Reginald on Mar 31, 2021 From Classic Movie Man

"Suspicion" comes between Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine Suspicion (1941) is a psychological romance directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine. The screenplay was written by Samson Raphaelson, Joan Harrison, and Alma Reville (Mrs. Alfred Hitchcock). The movie was base... Read full article


Beyond Suspicion (1993 TVM)

By John Grant on Apr 1, 2020 From Noirish

vt Appointment for a Killing US / 92 minutes / color / Frank & Bob Films, Patricia K. Meyer, von Zerneck?Sertner, NBC Dir: William A. Graham Pr: Randy Sutter Scr: Karen Clark Story: Appointment for Murder: The Story of the Killing Dentist (1988) by Susan Crain Bakos Cine: Denis Lewiston Cast: Ma... Read full article


book: Beyond Suspicion (2006; trans 2009 Linda Coverdale) by Tanguy Viel

By John Grant on Jul 20, 2019 From Noirish

One of the review quotes on the cover of this short book says it reads like a Raymond Chandler novel, a comment of maximal piffledom; I guess the unnamed reviewer has the excuse that s/he was writing for a French literary magazine, rather than an Anglophone one, but even making that allowance may be... Read full article


From the Archives: Joan Fontaine in Suspicion ( 1941 )

By The Metzinger Sisters on Apr 24, 2017 From Silver Scenes - A Blog for Classic Film Lovers

Joan Fontaine posing for a quick costume shot during the making of Alfred Hitchcock's Suspicion. Joan always knew how to wear high collars and top-heavy hats like a queen. From the Archives is our latest series of posts where we share photos from the Silverbanks Pictures collection. Some of these ... Read full article


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Quotes from

General McLaidlaw: Good heavens! You can't expect me to remember every detail about everybody, can you?


[Johnnie and Lina are facing a large portrait of her father]
Johnnie Aysgarth: He doesn't like me.
Lina McLaidlaw Aysgarth: I know.
Johnnie Aysgarth: He doesn't trust me from here to there. (Speaking to portrait) Do you? Well, you're right. I can only bring her unhappiness. Well, warn her. Speak up, man. It's your last chance. (To Lina) Hear him?
Lina McLaidlaw Aysgarth: Very distinctly.
Johnnie Aysgarth: He's not exaggerating a thing, dear. It's all true, every word he isn't saying.
Lina McLaidlaw Aysgarth: I love him, father.
Johnnie Aysgarth: Did you see him jump?
Lina McLaidlaw Aysgarth: I did.
Johnnie Aysgarth: Well, watch this one. (Speaking to portrait) Sir, I have the honor of asking for your daughter's hand in marriage. Well, what do you say to that? (He begins tapping on the portrait and it falls off the wall) My oh my. You heard him that time, didn't you?


[Lina asks Johnnie how he intends to support them]
Johnnie Aysgarth: Well, if the worst comes to the worst and there's no other way out, I'll have to...
Lina McLaidlaw Aysgarth: What?
Johnnie Aysgarth: Borrow some more.


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Facts about

Alfred Hitchcock wanted an ending similar to the climax of the novel, but the studio, more concerned with Cary Grant's "heroic" image, insisted that it be changed. Writer Donald Spoto, in his biography of Hitchcock, "The Dark Side Of Genius", disputes Hitchcock's claim to have been overruled on the film's ending. Spoto claims that the first RKO treatment and memos between Hitchcock and the studio show that Hitchcock emphatically desired to make a film about a woman's fantasy life.
Alfred Hitchcock: about 45 minutes in, mailing a letter at the village post office.
Joan Fontaine, in character as Lina, narrates the trailer on screen and speaks directly to the audience.
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Best Actress Oscar 1941






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Also directed by Alfred Hitchcock




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Also produced by Harry E. Edington




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