Shadow of Suspicion (1944)

Best movie ever!

A different way of telling a story

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Northrup (Tim Ryan) is theoretically guarding the big fancy Stonehaven necklace that's arriving at the local jewelry store. But it looks like he isn't really who he says he is, so the jewelry company is keeping an eye on him... it's a jewelry heist caper! and Claire (Marjorie Weaver) is the secretary who gets caught up in all the goings on. Lots of verbal gags and close calls to keep it light. and a few surprises in here, just to keep us on our toes. Gotta pay attention ! Some fun stuff in this one. I'm really surprised that its only rated a "6" on imdb so far. I liked it! Similar to another film, but I won't say which one... don't want to give anything away ! Directed by William Beaudine, who had started in the early, early days of silent films. Good stuff. Showing on Epix Channel.

It's a lively cast with a non-clichéd plot in a B-movie programmer. Just who are the two guys claiming to be investigators sent to safeguard an expensive necklace for a big jewelry firm. Whoever they are, they change names faster than clothes. The two start off as Northrup and Dale, but then switch handles, and that's just for starters. The only thing we know for sure is that Dale-Northrup (Cookson) has an eye for lovely secretary (Weaver), while Northrup-Dale (Ryan) alternates between low-humor and stern seriousness. Confusing—heck yes! So whoever or whatever they are, be sure to bring a scorecard.It's a good energetic cast, doing more than picking up a paycheck. Plus there's the aristocratic Frank (Watkin) in a nicely nuanced turn. But whatever you do, don't ask to see his aged mom (Blandick). She may make you rethink the whole idea of motherhood. Sure, the sets are few and spare, while the camera gets outdoors once, I think. But then this is Monogram, who really produced the 1940's equivalent of what would become TV programming. I'm glad TMC did a little tribute to director William "One Shot" Beaudine, who directed this feature. Sure, he never amounted to more than a studio contractor, grinding out these cheapos year after year in reliable fashion. As a helmsman, he may not have style or budget for embroidery, but give him a decent script and some willing players, and he could turn out an entertaining 60-minutes, as he does here.

"Shadow of Suspicion" is a cheap B-movie from Monogram. A B-movie was originally intended as a second and lesser film during a double- feature. As a B, it has several traits you'd expect in such a film- -it's only about an hour long, has a cast of lesser known or unknown actors and was made with a minimal budget. The guys playing Northrup and Dale as well as the rest clearly are unknowns!The film begins with a guy coming into a jewelry store and attempting to trick them out of some expensive merchandise. But, before they can detect the larceny, he announces that he's been sent out by the head office to work with them on fraud detection. Is this actually the case or is the guy a crook? For much of the film, you have no idea if he or his partner are good guys or bad guys. And, oddly, by the end of the film you STILL aren't sure exactly who they are! But, the plot is engaging and is worth seeing if you are the sort that appreciates Bs.

Monogram Pictures produced a string of B type films during the 1940s. Some of them, like "Shadow of Suspicion" featured players from the studio which dealt mainly in low budget movies with a limited distribution, unlike the other Hollywood biggies. There were some players who became stars after having had their debuts as unknowns at Monogram. Peter Cockson worked in several features for the studio. He had all the qualities to carry a picture, as he does in this one. "Shadow of Suspicion" involves a two man team sent from New York to investigate a robbery at the company's Chicago branch. James Dale and his partner Everett Northrup have the task to uncover the mystery. James Dale falls for the cute Claire Winter, the secretary of the store, who is asked to transport a package for the devious manager of the jewelry branch.Directed by William Beaudine, the film was a typical Monogram Pictures product. Tim Ryan, who appears as Northrup also collaborated on the screenplay. Peter Cockson is James Dale, the man who solves the case. Marjorie Weaver appears as Claire Winer.