The Unsuspected

(Michael Curtiz, US 1947, 103 min., 35mm)

Film noir gets the A-list treatment with a big budget and legendary director Michael Curtiz. The twisty tale begins with a murder made to look like a suicide. Victor Grandison (Claude Rains) is a radio personality and ward to two nieces—Althea (Audrey Totter), who takes care of Victor’s personal affairs, and Matilda (Joan Caulfield), who died in a boat accident after running away when Althea stole her fiancé. At a surprise birthday party for Victor (while his secretary is hanging by her neck in the next room), Steven Howard (Ted North) shows up and claims to be Matilda’s husband, just as her estate is about to be settled. Family and financial loyalties are tested until an amnesiac Matilda turns up alive.

Preserved by the Library of Congress    Post-screening discussion with Curator of Film Exhibitions Jared Case