The 'Brazil Declares War' headline probably reflects a news story contemporary with the shooting of the movie, but it's in the wrong time frame for the action of the story itself. 7, 1941 'Defense Bonds' were sold prior to that date.

government bonds were renamed 'War Bonds' after Dec. Also, when Uncle Charlie and his niece visit her father's bank, there's a sign on a teller's cage urging customers to 'Buy Defense Bonds!' U.S. Written by Thornton Wilder, Sally Benson, and Alma Reville, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Story for Gordon McDonell. She remarks that the photos were made in 1888, and her son exclaims 'Fifty-three years ago!' That would make the year 1941, not 1942. Shadow of a Doubt is a 1943 American psychological thriller film noir directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and starring Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotten. In the first dinner scene after Uncle Charlie's arrival, he presents gifts to the Newton family, including a pair of photos of their parents to Mrs. 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked the United States in the Pacific, bringing the U.S. It signifies the arrival of a dark force into the idyllic town - and lives - of young Charlie and her family. However, there are also two clues that point to the film being set in pre-Pearl Harbor America (prior to Dec. This big, black ominous looking train thats billowing black smoke all over the place comes rolling into the station and its shadow envelopes young Charlies little brother. Uncle Charlie arrived in Santa Rosa on August 22 or 23, 1942: the headlines in the paper were 'Brazil Declares War', which had happened on August 22. Shadow of a Doubt was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1991.Īcademy Awards 1943 - Ceremony Number 16 (source: AMPAS) Award (Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion). A terrific script from Wilder perfectly establishes the small-town atmosphere (a particularly winning touch is the running dialogue between Travers and Cronyn, two mystery buffs who enliven their humdrum lives with a debate on techniques for the perfect murder), and the shadow cast by the presence of pure evil. But as his dark torment starts to surface, Wright is endangered when Cotten realizes she sees through him.

Fresh from his latest killing, Cotten charms his sister's family, especially Wright, who feels she and her worldly uncle have a special bond. Cotten gives an intense, quiet performance as Wright's Uncle Charlie, whose visit she and her family eagerly anticipate.

In this enthralling story (and Hitchcock's personal favorite), an average small town receives a visit from the Merry Widow murderer.

Shadow of a doubt (1943) movie