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Film Bulletin (05/Aug/1946) - Notorious

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"NOTORIOUS" GRANT, BERGMAN, HITCHCOCK, HECHT — WOW!

Rates ★★★+ generally

RKO Radio
101 minutes
Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Louis Calhern, Madame Konstantin, Ivan Triesault, Reinhold Schunzel, Moroni Olsen, Alex Minotis, Wally Brown, Rieardo Costa, Lenore Ulric, Sir Charles Mendl, Eberhard Krumsehmidt, Fay Baker.
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

Here, Mr. Exhibitor, is a box-office smash! Alfred Hitchcock's superb directorial skill, combined with luminous acting by Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant, make "Notorious" a topnotch thriller. The marquee magic of these three names, plus an intriguing title, will make this one of the foremost money attractions of the season. Ben Hecht's skillful re-working of an ordinary spy tale results in a film that holds audiences spellbound and the several romantic sequences have rarely been surpassed on the screen for passionate intensity. Hitchcock, as is his wont, builds suspense slowly and steadily until he approaches a climax which will have patrons gripping the arms of their seats in excitement. While the espionage plot is not completely plausible in that it forces its heroine to go to extraordinary lengths to gain vital information about Nazi agents for the U. S. Government, the situations are intensely dramatic and Hecht's dialogue is always forceful and convincing. The lavish sets and the magnificent Rio de Janeiro backgrounds are a greater selling point for South America than dozens of travel folders. Also worthy of special comment are Ted Tetzlaff's unusual photographic angles, the splendid musical score and Miss Bergman's striking gowns.

Trying to escape notoriety following her father's conviction as a German spy, Ingrid Bergman meets Cary Grant, a U. S. Government agent, who appeals to her patriotism and asks her to accompany him to Brazil on a dangerous mission. Grant and Miss Bergman fall in love before she learns that her assignment is to contact Claude Rains, close friend of her father, and learn about a mysterious project he and his Nazi associates have afoot. Disregarding the warning of his domineering mother, Madame Konstantin, Rains proposes marriage to Miss Bergman and, although she loves Grant, she tells him she will go ahead with Government orders. After the honeymoon, Grant attends a big party at Rains' home where he gets the key to the wine cellar from Miss Bergman. Obtaining samples of uranium ore found in some of the bottles. Grant leaves, but not before Rains has discovered them together. Realizing that she is an American spy and that Grant may learn his plan to manufacture atomic weapons against a third World War, Rains and his mother plan to slowly poison Miss Bergman. As she is slowly being weakened, Miss Bergman is unable to communicate with Grant who finally forces his way into Rains' home. Telling Rains he will not disclose his error to the other Nazis if he is permitted to take Miss Bergman to the hospital, Grant leaves with her. But the other Nazis learn the truth and liquidate Rains leaving Miss Bergman free for Grant.

Ingrid Bergman's brilliant portrayal again makes her a candidate for an Academy Award and Cary Grant gives his finest screen performance to date as the Government agent torn between love and duty. Claude Rains' suave portrayal is also outstanding, while Madame Konstantin contributes modulated, yet forceful, acting to a difficult role as the crafty matriarch. Louis Calhern and Reinhold Schunzel are likewise excellent. Lenore Ulric, stage star, has been cut to only a few fleeting appearances.

LEYENDECKER

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