Hitchcock Shadow of a Doubt Dinner Scene

The famous dinner scene with Uncle Charlie and Little Charlie.

[@vintagefan22]

I love the way Hitchcock puts us in the place of Charlie and then breaks all the rules and has Joseph Cotten look right at the camera for his perfect delivery of the lines "are they?"

[@DenkyManner]

I can watch it over and over and still get a kick out of the last line. Absolutely sensational. A lot of the film is conventionally shot but it features a number of true Hitchcock moments that raise the entire thing above what nearly everyone else was doing visually. The front facing tracking shots, the rising camera to look down. The classic zoom in on the key detail.

[@terrortower666]

Still one of the most chilling performances ever put to screen. This man is terrifying, and he doesn’t even have to raise his voice. Hats off to Joseph Cotton for perfecting this role

[@Nelsonhojax15]

god, this scene still gives me the chills, its like joseph cotton is looking right at me, knowing that i know what he really is, and asking me the question ."Are they?"

[@awesomemark1234100]

Notice there’s no sound or music, what he’s saying and the tone he’s saying it is sinister enough

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Now a days, every stupid little action has to be punctuated with obnoxious music.

[@joeomalley2835]

This is a great scene. Cotten nails this character so much.

[@Gencturk92]

strangers on a train was brilliant too, i wish i lived in the 50's

[@AntiAuthority55]

Favorite scene of the movie. Gave me chills. He’s very convincing though. He seems like a leader.

[@normadesmond6017]

more like a psychopath

[@Mina_chan223]

When he asks "Are they?" it's like he's asking us, the audience, that question instead of just Charlie. You gotta admit, greed has a way of dehumanizing people... o.o

[@adaskinir2029]

Cotton’s performance in this film is legend.

[@weswolever7477]

And contrast this character with Ray Milland’s character in “Dial M for Murder”. Hitchcock was a genius and both Cotton and Milland were masters of their craft

[@madahad9]

A modern director would probably soften the moment by cutting to Charlie asking the question and then cutting back to Uncle Charlie delivering that knock out line, but Hitch knew not to disturb the moment and played it for all it's sinister worth. An amazing scene.

[@acdragonrider]

It's all the more striking staying on Uncle Charlie

[@kjhuang]

I'm so glad the camera stayed on Charles the entire time. The scene just wouldn't be the same otherwise.

[@CliveNDerek]

I noticed that for the first time. The abrupt change in tone is startling, almost as though the lead up to the speech and the speech itself were shot on two different days.

[@racheldrum1982]

A fantastic performance from Joseph Cotten. I wish he had been nominated for Best Actor.

[@jltplease]

This monologue alone. If I was on the panel, I totally would have given him the nom

[@pa3997]

He actually was never nominated for an Oscar, which is hard to believe.

[@krustykomedyklassic1]

Until this moment the spectator stands safe outside this film just observing the story going on.. This scene howver makes the spectator choose sides...think about the hole story...

[@poetcomic1]

I memorized this speech and like to plunge into in any informal gallery. Everyone's eyes bug out but there's always some cineaste who knows what it is.

[@jamesfrancis2574]

The best scene of the movie. So menacing and chilling.

[@Terminique]

perfect performance, I love the subtle change in the soundtrack/dialogue. Very much copied, but thanks for the original *cheers*

[@blablaidontcarewhour]

Best scene in the film

[@master-kq3nw]

house is still there in santa rosa joseph cotten great actor

[@master-kq3nw]

the best hitchock movie

[@ReidblunderbussButler]

Fantastic! CHARLIE: "They're alive! They're human beings!" UNCLE CHARLIE: "Are they?"

[@spb7883]

What’s brilliant about Cotten breaking the fourth wall in this scene is that at the precise moment his niece asks him this question WE are asking the same question.

[@xxevilellisonxx]

Came out of the cinema couple hours ago and this might be my favorite scene of the film, I’ve never really seen that camera break before

[@JessTTV]

He... Doesn't... Blink...

[@weswolever7477]

Only humans do that

[@Emily-uu4cl]

From an acting standpoint, Cotten was brilliant! But, when you analyze the character... You get the chills... The "are they" part reveals just how twisted uncle Charlie's mentality has become through what he's seen in life...it's honestly really sad, because there are women (and people in general) like that, but to think all women in the world are like that to such an extent that he believes he must take it upon himself to rid this world of them as if he were cleaning the swamp... just goes to show how far gone he has become...it makes me feel bad for him and pitiful of him that he experienced such a life, but also makes me utterly repulsed at his dehumanizing thoughts. Every time I look at his empty eyes, yet piercing gaze, i shutter. While his facial features lack emotion, it is exactly this lack of emotion which displays his pure disgust and hatred towards those types of women - so much so, that he couldn't call them human beings at all...

[@macdonald2k]

The man's job is to provide for women. It wouldn't surprise me at all if many women get married for the provision first. After all, that's how the primates operate.

[@joebloggs396]

"The world's a hell. What does it matter what happens in it?"

[@zenarcade64]

Gotta love this scene. I like how he drives the point home at the end.

[@chitchatt2006]

This is on my list of best films ever made. It is so well done. The cast is amazing. Check out Hume Cronyn as the neighbor - absolute perfection - and I think it was his first (big) film. Joseph Cotten did everything right in every film I've ever seen him in. Just a great movie all around. Thanks for posting this pivotal scene. I wish I owned the movie!

[@lyricarol]

I loved Hume Cronyn in this.

[@timothydigiuseppe1753]

This movie has a special meaning for me. Many years ago and before I saw the movie, I was invited to lunch by one of the more remarkable people I have known. I was in my mid 20s, he in his mid to late 50s. In the course of our meal, he looked over at a table occupied by three or four older women chatting amongst themselves. As he looked he remarked in a low voice, "Look at them. Spending the pensions and the money their husbands worked for all their lives." He then turned to me and said derisively, "The weaker sex." I have seen the movie many times since then and have never been able to watch it without recalling that time.

[@Hack_The_Planet_]

certainly misogynistic but with hints of a certain truth in it

[@jbl3466]

@@Hack_The_Planet_ how does he know the women didn't work for their money?

[@Hack_The_Planet_]

@@jbl3466 educated guess

[@s4ujcd]

The look.....the feel....of Cotten.

[@Chamsk]

Joseph Cotten was a hella actor

[@daniellee2343]

So fucking based.

[@Beerlejuice]

That line is HILARIOUS!!!!! :D The sheer simplicity of the line and that subtle menacing look on his face is GENIUS!!!!! PURE GENIUS!!!!! I have to say I always laugh this scene because it's so brilliant and darkly funny!!!!! :D

[@danielstanwyck2812]

oh god! another killer in our midst

[@lrn_news9171]

Hitchcock was a master at dark humour

[@jeanb3489]

I know when he says eating the money! I laugh too 🤣

[@jonsnow5907]

Um. What?

[@nubianqueen9675]

I've got this brilliant film saved on my Sky cable box and can't bring my self to upgrade to the latest box because I will lose the recording. Even though I can purchase the film on Amazon. Some of my other favourite films from Alfred Hitchcock is the Rear Window, Rope, Strangers on a Train and Jamaica Inn

[@patrick4662]

If it weren’t for the camera work and the acting I’d have a hard time taking it seriously. And even with that I still do… I mean why on earth would anyone say this? Especially him?

[@lyricarol]

Chilling.

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

BASED

[@macdonald2k]

I like how her argument was how they were human beings, rather than refute his points.

[@daniellee2343]

@@macdonald2k Women's argument skills.

[@owg59]

proving once again that the oscars are ridiculous, an actor like joseph cotten never received a single nomination (even for a great performance like this), and one note actors like george clooney actually win!

[@normadesmond6017]

And that Hitchcock at his best. That says it all about the kind of guy he is. just that half a minute. Brilliant. And he had Joseph Cotton playing a serial killer. Cotton was always the nice guy. Someone should let Tom Hanks play evil as evil can be for once. He could do it - so why not?

[@mrscreenwriter]

Shadow of a Doubt is one of my favorite Hitchcock films, Cotten delivers a performance that is mesmerizing because you might find yourself sadly agreeing with him.

[@danielstanwyck2812]

really? agreeing with him? yeah, if you're nuts

[@carolineb8568]

@@danielstanwyck2812 Yeah, to me this scene reveals how much he hates women and wants them to stay “busy” and in their place. It’s the fact that they exist and are enjoying themselves that enrages him. I agree with 0% of what he’s saying and it concerns me that people in these comments are like ‘well he has a point’.

[@jorgesoross127]

@@carolineb8568 It's not that they're "enjoying themselves", it's that they sucked their hardworking husbands dry just so they could live like a bunch of honorless hedonists, living it up the remainder of their days. It's beyond pathetic. If my father left me his estate, I would feel a sense of guilt and endeavor to earn it - to complete his work. Women clearly don't think this way. To them a man is no more than a vending machine.

[@jorgesoross127]

@@carolineb8568 And pointing out that women are, by and large, bigoted misandrists is not misogyny, it's reality. I'd like to believe it's not in your nature to hate men, but it likely is - that's why you scream that men have the problem when they point out toxic female behavior in the truest terms. It's gaslighting.

[@carolineb8568]

@@jorgesoross127 i’m sorry dude, but if the point you agree with in a film is being delivered by the crazed serial killer directly to camera in the most disturbing way possible, you might wanna do some self reflection. i don’t hate men, i honestly dedicate very little mental energy toward thinking about men at all, but it seems like you really hate women so whatever is going on there i hope you work through it.

[@theboombody]

Back then a whacko was truly rare. Now with the internet, whackos are a lot more common. That's the really scary part.

[@LucianoSubiraaOrvalho01]

I can't stop laughing when Bill Maher made that joke about Mitt Romney using this scene.

[@nschuehly]

Where can I find that video of Bill Maher?

[@PatrickHayes_webdevelopment]

I love uncle Charlie. He is one scary ass bitch. When he turns his head to the screen and asks "are they?" I roar with laughter!

[@MiyahSundermeyer]

Uncle Charlie is completely delusional.

[@Gorboduc]

He and the Rev. Harry Powell should host a podcast together.

[@ul7185]

The Nostalgia Merchant Version of Alfred Hitchcock Movies

[@therealmanos]

They were always there. The internet just shined a light on them.

[@WeldersFSC]

Absolutely based, right on the money and even more true to this day.

[@Mitzi73]

I saw this on Bill Maher.

[@TechnicJunglist]

"ARE THEY?"

[@thefrankonion]

Fantastisch

[@spugesdu]

God damn, that's a chilling scene.

[@madahad9]

One of my favorite moments in a Hitchcock film. Next would be the Statue of Libert scene in Sabobeur. Followed by the brutually quiet killing scene in Torn Curtain where Hitch wanted to show how difficult it was to kill. I still am of the opinion that Frenzy is among his best and just wish he had maintained that thread before making his few films me made which were rather poor. Rear Window is amog my favortes. I try to appreaciate Vertigo but I cannot connect with it for some reason.

[@slydawwg]

Perfect

[@Cleon29Warrior]

Are they?

[@Classygreekgirl]

So this is what it's like to eat at the dinner table with Mitt Romney. Minus the wine of course.

[@macdonald2k]

Don't worry, he won't be a senator of Utah for much longer.

[@JARBOOGIE2]

Based

[@boneeatingsilicate]

Boy you said it Joe!...LOL

[@zeldasmith6154]

Misogyny is ugly.

[@josefinebliss2801]

Brilliant 4th wall breaking

[@blachubear]

Bill Maher brought me here. LOL!!!!

[@eddo1983]

Why are those the most controversial subjects?

[@3636Clarence]

Funny ! Do remember that jingle...

[@theboombody]

@vickfan I see your point. I don't mind being a shallow guy though.

[@redcat608]

Materialistic world.

[@okonh0wp]

was she older or younger in this film than when she made Mrs Miniver?

[@Kerithanos]

BASED. Uncle Charlie did nothing wrong!

[@wesfulgham5742]

Silence of the Lambs vibes.

[@Cscottrun53]

The answer is NO...they aren't

[@aviatortrevor]

Romney sure looks different when he was younger.

00:55 lmao

[@TainoMantis]

@xwingclass I don't think today's actors/actresses hold a candle to the late acting giants, BUT Leonardo DiCaprio keeps getting better every time I see him and Ben Afleck astounded me with his first 2 directorial movies ("Gone Baby Gone" and "The Town"). Wahlberg is slightly better than Damon (Damon is only good in certain types of roles, albeit "The Informant") and let's wait a little longer for Jake. Remember, it's a 2 way street. More special effects = less work to emote something.

[@TheFred3733]

No they don't or you wouldn't be so mad at them.

[@sharon70ful]

God, you ruined the comment section about this old classic.

[@SoFlaRocks]

ROMNEY! lol

[@Cscottrun53]

Romney 20 years ago

[@OCPrunsthecops]

This is the new Mitt Romney tape

[@teameymelli1]

Rmoney Ryan 2012!

[@macdonald2k]

Nostalgia at this point.

[@korrdxl]

Romney 2012.

[@gretawilliamson4978]

How Mitt Romney thinks.

[@kkrobertson1]

thumbs up if bill maher brought you here lol

[@jltplease]

Bill referenced this movie?

[@kkrobertson1]

@@jltplease he sure did

[@TainoMantis]

@owg59 Unfortunately, acting ability today CANNOT compare to acting ability of decades past. Back then, special effects consisted of lap dissolves and creative camera tricks. In those years, if you were an actor/actress, you had to be damn good to portray atmosphere, mood, & psychology. Joseph Cotten was up against Humphrey Bogart, James Stewart, Orson Welles, Gregory Peck, Gene Kelly, etc. In this age of technological assistance, who's George Clooney up against?

[@demi11231]

ITS MITT ROMNEY

[@master-kq3nw]

uncle charlie and charlie look like fall in love uncle charlie hate woman

[@vickfan]

@theboombody the internet just makes it easier to see these people. Human nature didn't change because of "the internet". I think that's a very shallow opinion

[@demi11231]

Its Mitt Romney back a few years ago

[@TheFred3733]

Is he talking Kardasians?

[@FaithTheSlayer]

Can people just leave boring politics out of the discussion remember on stage coaches best policy was used no talking about politics & religion, and if you have a drink pass it round!

[@sharon70ful]

I love Bill Maher but you are aware that he is also a comedian and many of the things he says are not true and strictly for entertainment purposes. I use to believe everything he said until I researched some of the things he said and found out they were not true and also he admitted as such when confronted about it. He is funny though and alot of things he says make sense but this thing about Romney I don't believe. He's a good family man and so is Obama.

[@Cleon29Warrior]

@okonh0wp Older.

[@jrd865]

You realize that was satire, right?

[@juon5426]

Far too Frail...Remission

[@Bastard0fYoung]

Why I love Joseph Cotten in 60 seconds...

[@KozmoDyne]

I liked this movie but it was full of loop holes.

[@HowieFeltersnach]

Romney 2012!!!!!