Scenes with Charles Laughton and Henry Daniell together, as well as scenes with Laughton and Rosalind Ivan make THE SUSPECT a worthy member of what some call the "Gaslight Noir" list. It's a melodrama with some dark overtones (whether or not its truly "Noir" is a matter of opinion). The aforementioned actors' scenes bring high drama to the proceedings, delivering sharp, witty dialog. And the direction by Robert Siodmak, along with atmospheric filming by Paul Ivano add great value. But this is also one of those faux-British Hollywood movies, where lots of actors attempt a distracting half-baked accent. Ella Raines, otherwise quite good, is guilty of that as is young Raymond Severn, the disarming "Merridew". There's no problem with great, underrated Stanley Ridges as the tenacious police inspector "Huxley". It we look past any limitations, however, THE SUSPECT is good to have in an attractive blu-ray edition to watch every few years.
Review of The Suspect
The Suspect
(1944)
Pretty good. Laughton, Daniell, Ivans and Ridges are the standouts
11 October 2023