The Paradine Case (1947)

Nominated for 1 Academy Award:

Best Supporting Actress: Ethel Barrymore

 

I don’t usually open with explaining the nomination, but I admit I was stunned to see how little of Miss Barrymore there’s on screen in this film, probably under 5 minutes and nothing to justify the nomination. I did read now, however, that some voters saw a longer version of the film, that included 1 or 2 extra scenes with her, and that might explain it. Otherwise, it’s a complete waste of a nomination.

The film, also bears noting, was probably one of Hitchcock’s most awful experiences on set, due to constant interference from the producer, and his lack of control on the final edit. Yet, even considering these problems, you wouldn’t know it if you saw it. The film is engaging, beautifully shot, and with many strong performances. Alida Valli is gorgeous, mesmerizing, and gives a strong performance. Gregory is OK, and the actress playing his wife, Ann Todd, is also very good.

There’s a mystery to the film that kept my interest, that ~360 shot in the courthouse is FANTASTIC, but, unfortunately, the ending is a bad choice and very anticlimactic, not with a resolution we’d expect. And that’s a pity, because the film was good until the last 20 minutes or so.

 

I give it: 7.5/10

IMDB LINK