The secretary of an affably suave radio mystery host mysteriously commits suicide after his wealthy young niece disappears.The secretary of an affably suave radio mystery host mysteriously commits suicide after his wealthy young niece disappears.The secretary of an affably suave radio mystery host mysteriously commits suicide after his wealthy young niece disappears.
- Steven Francis Howard
- (as Michael North)
- Cab Driver
- (unconfirmed)
- Bride's Mother
- (uncredited)
- Party Guest
- (uncredited)
- Party Guest
- (uncredited)
- Radio Program Coordinator
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe radio station call letters, WMCB, were created by inserting Michael Curtiz's initials into those of Warner Bros.
- GoofsDuring Oliver Keane's accident scene, he is seen driving a gray car at first, but when he skids off the road and tumbles down the hill, it is black.
- Quotes
Steven Francis Howard: Quite a large party, isn't it?
Althea Keane: Would you like to meet anyone?
Althea Keane: It's not very appetizing. It's Victor's birthday. Once a year his friends crawl out of the woodwork.
[Sarcastically]
Althea Keane: This year it's a SURPRISE party!
[Lights cigarette]
Althea Keane: Will he be surprised to see you?
Steven Francis Howard: [He takes her hand with the lit match] I like matches. You never have to refill them...
[He pulls her hand toward him to light his own cigartte]
Steven Francis Howard: ... and when you're through with them, you simply throw them away...
[He blows out the match]
Steven Francis Howard: ... like people.
- Crazy creditsOpening titles and closing credits are typed in a bound manuscript, and gloved hands can be seen flipping the pages. This is a nod to the scripts that Grandison writes for his radio show.
- ConnectionsReferences The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
Rains lives well courtesy of his niece Joan Caulfield who has some large inherited wealth. There's another niece Audrey Totter who lives with them and her husband Hurd Hatfield, but not happily.
One of Rains's aides at the radio station is murdered. Then Caulfield is reported missing at sea. Before she's found Ted North arrives at the estate claiming to be her husband, but she can't remember getting married.
A couple of more deaths occur and always Rains is The Unsuspected one. What he is is a master manipulator of people and events.
The key to it all is North who is definitely not what he seems. Also Constance Bennett is around who works at the radio station. I liked her, but she's got a most ill defined role. And we never do learn why the first aide is killed.
Nevertheless Claude Rains is really giving a performance that they ought to show in acting classes. So many emotions, so subtly conveyed.
For Claude Rains fans everywhere.
- bkoganbing
- Sep 26, 2017
- How long is The Unsuspected?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 43 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1