Sensational visual style in black and white cinematography by the cameraman by Joseph Valentine. Atmospheric and perceptible music by the maestro Dimitri Tiomkin, including piano sounds. And of course cameo role by Alfred Hitchcock, this time as a man on train playing cards. Likable couple formed by Henry Travers and Hume Cronyn in his film debut, booth of whom speaking continuously about murders.

Teresa Wright as shy and glad young is superb and enjoyable. Fine performance by Joseph Cotten as sunny and cynic uncle Charlie. After his successful British films as ¨39 steps¨ and ¨Jamaica Inn¨, Hitch was encouraged to go to America and promptly shot his first work in Hollywood hired by the great producer David O'Selznick later on he directed this excellent picture.

Besides a literately and thoughtful dialog signed by Thornton Wilder and Alma Reville (Hitchcock's usual screenwriter and wife) though lacking humor. From the story by Gordon McConnell, the picture gets unlimited suspense in crescendo, tense, full of lingering frames and with the typical touches Hitchcock. Further developments ensure an exciting climax on train. Meantime two detectives (Mcdonald Carey and Wallace Ford) are investigating. The suspicious uncle Charlie gradually becoming stronger and mysterious. Although he seems a good man, his young niece (Teresa Wright)slowly comes to aware he is a wanted merry widow killer and he comes to recognize her malignant suspicions. Handsome and uncomplicated uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten)has come to visit his family in Santa Rosa, returning to home town after longer absence.

Shadow of a doubt 1943 internet archive