The Suspect

Among Robert Siodmak’s remarkable films noirs from 1944 to 1950, The Suspect, based on the novel by James Ronald, stands out the most. The story is uncharacteristically set in Edwardian England in the early 20th century, and its atmosphere is reminiscent of Gothic noirs such as Gaslight and The Lodger (both 1944). Charles Laughton (also represented in this year’s program with Witness for the Prosecution) plays an aging henpecked husband who falls in love with a young stenographer. The plot initially resembles The Woman in the Window, but its further development is in many ways unexpected. Siodmak was very proud of the film, even after many years calling it the most successful title of his career, and he fondly remembered its shooting because he considered Laughton a dear friend. The atmospheric camerawork is by Paul Ivano, who regularly worked with Hugo Haas in the 1950s. (mh)