Logo What's After the Movie

Shadow of a Doubt 1943

Young Charlotte is thrilled when her charming Uncle Charlie comes to visit, captivated by his wit and charisma. However, as unsettling rumors about his past begin to circulate, she becomes increasingly suspicious. Torn between her admiration and growing doubts, Charlotte investigates, uncovering a web of secrets and lies. She must confront the terrifying possibility that the man she idolizes may be a dangerous criminal, and her family's safety hangs in the balance.

Young Charlotte is thrilled when her charming Uncle Charlie comes to visit, captivated by his wit and charisma. However, as unsettling rumors about his past begin to circulate, she becomes increasingly suspicious. Torn between her admiration and growing doubts, Charlotte investigates, uncovering a web of secrets and lies. She must confront the terrifying possibility that the man she idolizes may be a dangerous criminal, and her family's safety hangs in the balance.

Does Shadow of a Doubt have end credit scenes?

No!

Shadow of a Doubt does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Shadow of a Doubt

Explore the complete cast of Shadow of a Doubt, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Shadow of a Doubt

See how Shadow of a Doubt is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Shadow of a Doubt stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

Metascore

tbd

User Score

TMDB

75

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Shadow of a Doubt Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Shadow of a Doubt with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Shadow of a Doubt Quiz: Test your knowledge on the suspenseful classic 'Shadow of a Doubt' from 1943.

What is the real identity of Mr. Spencer?

Awards & Nominations for Shadow of a Doubt

Explore awards

Discover all the awards and nominations received by Shadow of a Doubt, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Shadow of a Doubt and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


The 16th Academy Awards 1944

Nomination

Writing (Original Motion Picture Story)

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Shadow of a Doubt

See more

Read the complete plot summary of Shadow of a Doubt, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Couples adorned in costumes reminiscent of the 1900s whirl around a room, elegantly swaying to the melodic strains of The Merry Widow waltz by Franz Lehár. Amidst this festive atmosphere lies a man, deep in contemplation, dressed in a suit, sprawled across a bed. Bills of money clutter both his dresser and the floor nearby. The landlady, Mrs. Martin, knocks and enters the room, informing “Mr. Spencer” (Joseph Cotten) that two men are inquiring about him. Following his previous instructions, Mrs. Martin claims to have told them he is not available, though they remain agitatedly waiting outside at the corner.

Spencer, whose real identity is revealed to be Oakley, rises from the bed, gathers the scattered money, and stealthily exits past the two men, who offer no reaction but begin to shadow him at a distance. He moves hastily, navigating corners until he successfully retreats atop a building, observing them from a safe vantage point to ensure he has evaded their pursuit. The scene transitions to a payphone, where Oakley sends a telegram to his sister, informing her of his impending visit to Santa Rosa, California, signing off as Uncle Charlie.

Meanwhile, in Santa Rosa, a teenager named Charlotte “Charlie” Newton (Teresa Wright) lies frustrated in bed, lamenting to her father, Joseph “Joe” Newton, the mundane existence that envelops her family life. Yearning for excitement and adventure, Charlotte resolves to invite her beloved Uncle Charlie, feeling a deep familial bond with him that transcends ordinary understanding. To her delight, at the telegraph office she discovers that he has indeed communicated his arrival, all the while humming a cheerful melody that seems to uplift her spirits.

The rest of the Newton family anticipates Uncle Charlie’s visit with giddiness. Charlotte’s mother, Emma “Emmy” Oakley-Norton, radiates joy at this prospect, even echoing her daughter’s humming. As the train approaches, Oakley takes meticulous care to remain hidden behind the Pullman curtains, presenting himself as a frail old man upon disembarking. His ruse is reinforced when the train clerk (Clarence Muse) and a concerned couple (Edward Fielding and Sarah Edwards) offer assistance, only to receive gruff rejections from him. Once his family arrives, however, his demeanor shifts entirely, as he greets them with boisterous warmth.

The reunion is filled with joy and laughter, punctuated by the presents Oakley brings, including a special ring for Charlotte featuring a prominent emerald. Young Charlie’s youthful curiosity shines through when she comments on how similar she and her Uncle Charlie are, noting his penchant for secrecy. When she questions him about some engraved initials found in the ring, Oakley dismissively attributes it to a mistake made by the jeweler.

During dinner, the air is thick with mystery as Charlotte repeatedly hums her tune, trying to draw recognition from her family. When Oakley suggests it might be The Blue Danube, Charlotte barely masks her excitement as she prepares to declare The Merry Widow. However, Oakley’s clumsiness leads to a spill, causing the family to share a laugh amidst the tension building between Charlotte’s subconscious suspicions and her uncle’s charm.

Unbeknownst to the Newton family, discussions between two men – Herbert “Herbie” Hawkins (Hume Cronyn) and Joe – center around hypothetical scenarios of murder and evasion. Oakley, ever the cunning schemer, turns to the local newspaper and identifies a story that particularly resonates with him. He begins teaching the younger children, Ann (Edna May Wonacott) and Roger (Charles Bates), to fold a newspaper into a house, cleverly tearing out pages for doors and windows while concealing the remnants in his coat pocket.

However, as the days turn into unnerving interactions, it becomes clear that Uncle Charlie is harboring dark secrets. Worry escalates as Charlotte discovers newspapers hinting at her uncle’s involvement with a serial killer, known as the “Merry Widow Murderer”, who seduces wealthy widows only to dispose of them for their money. The tension mounts as Jack Graham (Macdonald Carey), a detective posing as a visitor, reveals chilling truths about her uncle’s past.

Charlotte grapples with the burgeoning realization that her cherished and idolized Uncle Charlie could possibly be implicated in unspeakable crimes. The intelligent strikes of sympathy begin to break down as dinner conversations hint at Oakley’s disdain for riches, and Charlotte’s once-safe admiration begins to crumble.

The story spirals into a thrilling crescendo as attempts on her life seem increasingly targeted. A narrow escape in a garage reveals the true villainy lurking within Oakley as familial affection clashes with sinister motivations. Charlotte’s frights evolve into an audacious confrontation, leading to a climactic struggle aboard a departing train, where his desire to eliminate the last living evidence of his misdeeds culminates in a desperate act.

The community mourns Uncle Charlie’s death, as many breathe a sigh of relief without knowing the dark undertones that made their lives dizzyingly intense. Jack finds solace with Charlotte, who grapples with the burden of her silence; their bond strengthens amidst the backdrop of a chilling family secret, leaving them resolved to keep Uncle Charlie’s gruesome truths concealed from the world.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Shadow of a Doubt

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Shadow of a Doubt. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Original Theatrical Trailer | Shadow of Doubt | Warner Archive

Shadow of a Doubt (1943) Trailer

The Making of Hitchcock's 'Shadow of a Doubt'

Hitchcock Shadow of a Doubt Dinner Scene

Shadow of a Doubt (1943) - Uncle Charlie in Bed

VIDEO CLIP 1, Shadow of a Doubt

Cars Featured in Shadow of a Doubt

See 40 more

Explore all cars featured in Shadow of a Doubt, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Cadillac

1941

Funeral Coach

Chevrolet

1939

Chevrolet

1932

Confederate

Chevrolet

1937

Master

Chevrolet

1939

Master

Chevrolet

1940

Master De Luxe

Chevrolet

1935

Standard

Chrysler

1937

Royal

Chrysler

1939

Royal

Chrysler

1941

Windsor

Shadow of a Doubt Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


serial killeramateur detectiveunclepsychopathhit by a trainmurderprecocious childmother daughter relationshipgaragefather daughter relationshipbrother sister relationshipringsanta rosa californialibrarysmall townfugitiveearwormwidowtelegrambankphotographermisanthropemarriage proposalfamily relationshipsdinnerbank tellerbank officercoming of agecarbon monoxide poisoningtrainlandladyfalling down stairsfalling from a trainbank managerwaltzattempted murderemeraldteenagernational film registrymarriagepolice surveillancecaliforniaparanoiagiftsurveillancewristwatchtuxedoteenage crushsecretporch

Shadow of a Doubt Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Shadow of a Doubt across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


疑影 De schaduw van een twijfel Sombra de uma Dúvida Ani stín podezrení? Η Σκιά της Αμφιβολίας Şübhənin Kölgəsi 辣手摧花 L'ombra del dubbio L'Ombre d'un doute Im Schatten des Zweifels Een Schijn van Twijfel Şüphenin Gölgesi La sombra de una duda Тень сомнения Mentira Skuggan av ett tvivel Το Χέρι που Σκοτώνει צל של ספק Umbra unei îndoieli A Sombra de uma Dúvida A gyanú árnyékában Ani stín podezření 의혹의 그림자 Сянка от съмнение I tvivlens skygge Тінь сумніву Įtarimo šešėlis Cień wątpliwości Epäilyksen varjo Bóng Tối Của Sự Nghi Ngờ Sjena sumnje 疑惑の影 เงามัจจุราช

Similar Movies To Shadow of a Doubt You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


Other Names for Shadow of a Doubt

Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for Shadow of a Doubt. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.


疑影 De schaduw van een twijfel Sombra de uma Dúvida Ani stín podezrení? Η Σκιά της Αμφιβολίας Şübhənin Kölgəsi 辣手摧花 L'ombra del dubbio L'Ombre d'un doute Im Schatten des Zweifels Een Schijn van Twijfel Şüphenin Gölgesi La sombra de una duda Тень сомнения Mentira Skuggan av ett tvivel Το Χέρι που Σκοτώνει צל של ספק Umbra unei îndoieli A Sombra de uma Dúvida A gyanú árnyékában Ani stín podezření 의혹의 그림자 Сянка от съмнение I tvivlens skygge Тінь сумніву Įtarimo šešėlis Cień wątpliwości Epäilyksen varjo Bóng Tối Của Sự Nghi Ngờ Sjena sumnje 疑惑の影 เงามัจจุราช

© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.