The Suspect

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The Suspect is a 1944 film noir set in Victorian times. It is based on the novel This Way Out, by James Ronald.

Directed by Robert Siodmak and released by Universal Pictures, it tells the story of Philip Marshall (Charles Laughton), a kind but henpecked bank teller who strikes up an innocent friendship with a young stenographer (played by Ella Raines). He gradually finds himself falling in love with her, but keeps the relationship platonic. His wife Cora (Rosalind Ivan), who has also alieniated their son with her shrewish ways, suspects the worst and threatens a scandal, driving the exasperated Marshall to murder Cora and make the death appear to be an accident. However, a Scotland Yard inspector (Stanley Ridges) shows up suspecting the truth, but is unable to prove anything. A neighbor (Henry Daniell), also suspecting murder, blackmails Marshall, and is also killed by him for his efforts. When the Inspector hears of the second murder, he sets a trap, the success of which will depend on Marshall's innate decency, which, the inspector believes, he has never lost.

The Suspect was dramatized again for television, in 1955. The TV version was shown on Lux Video Theatre, and starred Robert Newton.