The gritting and thrilling plot concerns the relation among a few characters , the unlucky husband , his shrewish wife , an innocent femme fatale , a suspicious detective and wife-beating good-for-nothing neighbour . Set in Edwardian England, in 1902 London, middle-aged Philip Marshall (Charles Laughton) is unhappily married to demanding wife called Cora (Rosalind Ivan) . She has already driven their young adult son John (Dean Harens) away from home . The unhappily married man begins a flirtation with an unemployed , depressed younger woman named Mary Gray (Ella Raines) who he meets at the street . Thereafter , fortune seems to smile on him . Their deepening friendship, though physically innocent, is discovered by Philip's wife, who threatens him with exposure and scandal, driving him to grisly events , resulting in dark happenings . When his wife threatens to ruin her , he decides to take action . As a subsequent investigation is carried out by a stubborn police inspector (Stanley Ridges) into the circumstances that led to the fateful consequences . As the investigator uncovers his past involvement with a young woman and some surprising clues . His was a strange Secret ! Hers was a strange Love!
Splendidly classic noir film with a host of well-known actors who contribute to the movie's success . This noir film packs action , thrills , suspense , tension , thundering drama and a mighty punch in some exciting scenes . The characters are etched some intricate moral shadings and some teasing reflections on manipulation emerge from within the narrative , echoing the virtuoso audience . This is a notable Film Noir well written by Bertram Millhauser , adapted by Arthur T. Horman from a novel by James Ronald , a master work competently directed by expert filmmaker Robert Siodmak . Film Noir is a particular style of film , containing an enjoyable story-telling bathed in light and shadow and dealing with the darker doings of mankind . Dealing with guilt , opression , blackmail , and killing in turn-of-the-century London's quiet Laburnum Terrace . The plot specifies of ¨The Suspect¨ inevitably evoke Hitchcock's world , even if the studio choice of noir specialist Siodmak as director suggests a more darkly labyrinthine atmosphere . As it turns out , the generic common denominator psychological suspense proves stronger than the auteurist imprint , and if any individual has a right to sign the movie , standing out Charles Laughton as a likeable wife-killer and victim of blackmail , whose fatal flaw is eventually revealed to be his sense of simple decency . Along with the great Charles Laughton shows up the attractive Ella Raines and other nice secondaries as Stanley Ridges , Dean Harens , Henry Daniell , Molly Lamont and Rosalind Ivan as the shrew wife .
It contains an atmospheric , evocative cinematography in black and white by cameraman Paul Ivano . As well a thrilling and suspenseful musical score by Frank Skinner . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Robert Siodmak who realizes a skillful filmmaking . He had a long career , as Robert was a good director who made a lot of films in all kinds of genres as Quick , Son of Dracula , Chistmas holydays , The strange affair of uncle Harry , The file of Thelma Jordan , The great sinner, The crimson pirate , The devil strikes at night , Custer of the west . Outstanding in Noir Film as Phantom lady , Criss cross , The suspect , The dark mirror , The killers , Cry of the city , among others . Robert directed Burt Lancaster in two classic Noir films titled ¨The Killers¨ and ¨Criss Cross¨. It's a good film that ensures the nervous intrigue never lets up from the first moment and realized in efficient style by Robert Siodmak , then at the peak of his Hollywood career . The picture will appeal to Charles Laughton and Ella Raines fans .
