... as scriptwriter, Hitchcock was able to infuse what are, in some ways, characteristically dark stylistic and thematic tra! its with effective local colour, to produce an encyclopaedically playful gallop through "genre cinema".(1) In so doing, he achieved one of the most interesting and detailed portraits of a disappearing small-town American milieu. This complex rendering of what might appear to be simple ... , Charlie (Joseph Cotten). Of course not all is what it seems and Charlies' prodigal return, urbane manner, big city sophistication and East Coast ways are but a smokescreen for the ...

• Word Count: 958
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... the actors are given to say. The common denominator for the vast majority of these pictures is their association with the thriller genre. This association goes without saying, as almost every film has something to do with criminal activity, most often murder. Another common element is the romance depicted in the storylines. ... fall in love and attempt an affair, but duty almost always stands in the way. This duty is part of the most disturbing element in the film. Bergman is merely a pawn for the American government, as she is pushed into getting as close to Rains` character as possibl...

• Word Count: 864
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate