Sunday Viewing: Suspicion, 1941

By 1941, Alfred Hitchcock had already established himself as America’s new master of suspense. His next film, Suspicion, based on the 1932 novel Before the Fact by Francis Iles was to be the study of a murder from the point of view of the victim.

RKO was excited about the picture, and certainly about the film’s casting which included Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine and Nigel Bruce. With Grant cast as the film’s lead, Johnny Aysgarth, an adulterous murderer, and Fontaine as his new bride, Lina, his victim, the studio began to fear that allowing audiences to see the “heroic” Grant murder the delicate Fontaine would irreparably damage Grant’s box-office appeal. And, so, as was often the case, the film’s script began to diverge from the original novel with Hitchcock being forced to change the ending—a fact about which Hitchcock would complain for the rest of his life.

Despite the change to the ending, the film stays relatively true to the book. Johnny may not be a murderer, but he is a cad and a playboy who is unapologetically attracted to the quasi-dowdy Lina because of her family’s enormous wealth. Johnny’s infidelity is toned-down to the point that it’s all but erased, but his behavior is nonetheless suspicious.

Grant is typically charming and attractive in the film, and, Fontaine gives her usual brilliant, fragile performance. Nigel Bruce is always a delight, playing the same type of daffy Englishman he always plays as Johnny’s slightly simple friend, Beaky.

Though the dangerous elements of the film have been subdued, it’s still an exciting thriller, and we’re left wondering about Johnny’s true intentions throughout. Hitchcock proves that he truly was the Master of Suspense with his signature cinematic trickery—most notably a scene with a glowing glass of milk.

This is a lush, taught film with excellent performances, gorgeous sets and costumes, crisp dialogue and a top-notch soundtrack. It’s the perfect pre-Valentine’s Day treat. Just romantic enough for the occasion, but just creepy enough for any day.

Painting of the Day: Landscape with Diana Reposing from the Chase, 1740

Landscape with Diana
Reposing from the Chase
Franceco Zuccarelli, 1740
Oil on Copper
The Royal Collection

Joseph Smith of the British Consul was responsible for amassing a large collection of art which was quite the envy of King George III. Smith had an impressive collection of Italian landscapes, notably a large group of celebrated painter Francesco Zuccarelli.


Zuccarelli’s work was notable for its luminescence which owed to his use of metal as a foundation for his paintings. He often painted on copper, giving a natural shimmer and radiance to his paintings. Smith had purchased this painting by Zuccarelli and considered it to be one of the finest by the artist. Painted on copper, the landscape features a scene of Diana—the Goddess of the Hunt—easily identified by the presence of her crescent-moon-shaped diadem—in repose. The painting is unique in that Zuccarelli has given unusual prominence to the figures and to the dogs in the composition when typically he focused only on the landscape.

George III so envied this painting that he convinced Smith to sell it to him in 1762. It has remained a prominent part of The Royal Collection ever since.

Sunday Morning Special: Alfred Hitchcock on “What’s My Line?”

When we think of Alfred Hitchcock, we tend to have images of a fearsome tyrant.  However, many considered Hitchcock’s bark to be worse than his bite.  He was, by some accounts, a pleasant teddy bear.  Here’s an unusual look at Hitchcock’s more playful side.

Reminder: "Punch's Cousin" Will Return on Monday

Last week in Punch’s Cousin, our fictional friends suffered a devastating loss. While performing a ritual to ensure that Julian was protected from the Yellow Fever, Naasir used his remaining energy and passed away. Marjani reminded everyone that Naasir would have been pleased to have fulfilled his destiny. Though he didn’t—as he thought—die in a literal fire, he did die saving the Duke from a terrible fever.


Naasir appeared to Julian and Mr. Punch internally and bid the two souls farewell, leaving behind a phantom key which he knew would serve Julian well. Mr. Punch, however, feared the presence of the key, cryptically implying that it could unlock a door that Julian wasn’t yet ready to open.

Meanwhile, Barbara Allen, newly installed at Marie Laveau’s house, was surprised to be given an assignment dressing the hair of a wealthy New Orleans spinster. Marie revealed that the spinster’s brother has an undeniable connection to Iolanthe Evangeline—namely being the father of her child. How will Marie use Barbara to get her revenge against Iolanthe Evangeline? We’’ll find out in the coming week.

Iolanthe, however, has other problems. During her negotiations with Ulrika Rittenhouse, the red-headed vixen discovered the hiding place of the Molliner Blue Diamond. Ulrika crept into Iolanthe’s brothel during the night and stole the diamond. Now, Iolanthe is furious. Will her vendetta against Ulrika spill over onto Mr. Punch and the people he loves? Of course it will.

This week’s chapters of Punch’s Cousin promise to be surprising and exciting. As always, my continued thanks to all of you who have been reading. There’s a lot to look forward to coming up!

Goal for the Day: Show Your Love

You don’t have to buy expensive gifts to show your appreciation for the people you love.  Sometimes, the best way to demonstrate your appreciation is to spend time with the special people in your life.  An afternoon spent enjoying each other’s company is more enduring than anything you could ever buy.

Object of the Day; An Antique Art Glass Vase

This hand-crafted vase speaks of the beauty of 1920’s artistry. With its brilliant blue color and organic shape, this long-necked vase presents the ideals of the Art Nouveau interpreted into a distinctly Art Deco color scheme.


The vase’s neck has been adorned with an applied serpentine glass relief which winds to the apex of the vessel. The base features a raised ornamentation of flowers which has been gilt and enameled in an abstracted organic pattern.

With a delicacy reminiscent of French glassmakers, the vase shows a distinctly American approach to its design. An interesting combination of styles, this transitional piece is a fascinating look at the development of the decorative arts.

Coming this Week at "Stalking the Belle Époque"

This Valentine’s Day week, we’ll be exploring some of the romantic jewels, paintings and sculptures of the last three centuries including some unusual and beautiful creations by Fabergé that were presented to members of Britain’s Royal Family.


Our look into present-day beauty will include studies of the artwork of a unique contemporary artist, an enduring actress and one of journalism’s most respected women. Along the way, we’ll stop in at an historic English church.

As a little contrast, we’ll revisit two nearly-forgotten films of the 1950’s and 1960’s whose fascinating plots and brilliant Technicolor should have secured them a permanent place in the pantheon of film history’s greats.

Of course, we’ll have the usual glimpses at Bertie’s journey through art history as well as our continuing study of the influence of our Mr. Punch on the arts.

Here’s wishing everyone a great week, and a very Happy Valentine’s Day.