Rent The Paradine Case (1947)

Contractual Obligation. - The Paradine Case review by Steve

Yet another Alfred Hitchcock release from his early Hollywood years which is set in England. It's one of his oddest American films. It feels like it is building to a rather interesting murder trial but frustrates when it suddenly ends and the audience discovers it has watched a character study which is hardly a thriller at all.

There was a troubled production with the footage re-edited several times as studio boss David Selznick took control. Several scenes go on after any possible interest in them is over. He even wrote a whole new screenplay. Selznick and Hitchcock were always uneasy partners.

And Selznick shortened the film. Ethel Barrymore, who got an Oscar nomination based on the original cut, was left with three minutes of inconsequential screen time. Hitch was experimenting with long tracking takes, but Selznick snipped them out. The footage was later lost in an accident.

But while it is a disappointing film of doubtful psychology and little humour, it isn't boring and the director adds interest to the disjointed plot with some characteristic flourishes. Charles Laughton's voyeuristic interest in Ann Todd is one of the Hitchcock touches to survive. File this one under contractual obligations.