Charlie refuses to believe it at first but learns that the initials engraved inside the ring he gave her match those of one of the murdered women. One of them explains her uncle is one of two suspects who may be the 'Merry Widow Murderer'. Young Charlie guesses they are undercover police detectives. Not long after, two men appear at the Newton home, trying to take Uncle Charlie's picture. However, she notices that it has someone else's initials engraved inside. As a gesture of affection, Uncle Charlie gives his niece an emerald ring. Upon his arrival, everyone is delighted, especially young Charlie. She receives wonderful news: Her mother's younger brother (her eponym), Charles Oakley, is arriving for a visit. Plot Ĭharlotte 'Charlie' Newton is a bored teenage girl living in the idyllic town of Santa Rosa, California. The film was also Alfred Hitchcock's favorite of all of his films. In 1991, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, being deemed 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant'. The fear escalates when Oakley realizes she knows his secret. That excitement turns to fear as young Charlie slowly realizes her uncle is in fact a wanted serial murderer known as the 'Merry Widow' killer. An unexpected visit by Charles Oakley, her charming and sophisticated 'Uncle Charlie', brings much excitement to her family and the small town. Written by Thornton Wilder, Sally Benson, and Alma Reville, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Story for Gordon McDonell.Ĭharlotte 'Charlie' Newton and her parents live in very quiet Santa Rosa, California. Shadow of a Doubt is a 1943 American psychological thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and starring Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotten.

1943 shadow of a doubt