[Moving picture of popcorn]

Laramie Movie Scope:
Notorious

The master of suspense raises expectant anxiety to the film's climactic final frame

[Strip of film rule]
by Patrick Ivers, Film Critic
[Strip of film rule]

(1946, b/w) Following her father's trial in the district court in Miami, in which he was found guilty of being a German collaborator with the Nazis and sentenced to 20 years in prison, Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman) with her reputation for being a party girl - "There's nothing like a love song to give you a good laugh" - attracts the attention of T.R. Devlin (Cary Grant). When she discovers while driving drunk his true identity of being a federal agent, she immediately detests him, assuming he's keeping a suspicious eye on her as well.

Instead, he offers her a job in Brazil where I.G. Farben has set up shop. At first she replies, "I don't go for patriotism, or patriots," but then, hearing a recording of her conversation with her father Devlin plays for her on the phonograph, she agrees on flying with him to Rio. On the flight when she's told of her father's suicide, she says to Devlin: "I don't have to hate him anymore, or myself."

In Rio she lays off the booze, promising Devlin she can change from her former dissolute ways. While "the little lovesick lady" falls for Devlin, his boss, Capt Paul Prescott (Louis Calhern), hopes to get Alicia inside the residence of Alexander Sebastian (Claude Rains), a wealthy Nazi sympathizer suspected of organizing a coterie of scientists to keep the dream of the Third Reich alive.

As soon as Devlin learns of the plot from his superiors, he turns defensive on Alicia's behalf; yet when he informs her, as she's expecting an evening of romance, of the assignment to "land" Sebastian, he keeps an emotional distance, leading her to believe he has no reciprocal feelings for her.

Once in love with Alicia but spurned, Alex is easily hooked. Invited into Alex's home, the beautiful Mata Hari immediately becomes an object of mistrust in the eyes of Alex's resentful mother (Madame Konstantin), thinking Alicia might be a gold digger.

The half dozen men hoping to resurrect the Reich include Dr Anderson (Reinhold Schunzel), a scientist; Eric Mathis, the most fanatical member; and Emil Hupke, a metallurgist who commits a costly gaffe during a party with Alicia's noticing his panicky concern over a bottle of wine.

Reporting to Devlin, Alicia inflames his jealousy by confessing she's become Alex's "playmate." Alex, however, feeling doubtful of Alicia's loyalty when she's near Devlin, suddenly proposes marriage. Capt Prescott approves of the courageousness of Alicia's going through with the arrangement while Devlin hides his despair as best he can.

From an original story by director/producer Alfred Hitchcock, with screenplay by Ben Hecht, the master of suspense raises expectant anxiety to the film's climactic final frame.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in video and/or DVD format, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

[Strip of film rule]
Copyright © 2010 Patrick Ivers. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.
[Strip of film rule]
 
Back to the Laramie Movie Scope index.
   
[Rule made of Seventh Seal sillouettes]

Patrick Ivers can be reached via e-mail at nora's email address at juno. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)