MovieChat Forums > Suspicion (1941) Discussion > Of COURSE he was guilty at the end.

Of COURSE he was guilty at the end.

posted 16 years ago by HomerDPoe
3 replies | jump to latest

He was doing the identical thing to her he had done to Beaky.

Instead of dying on a trip to her mother's, bag packed and perhaps having discussed suspicions with her mother, they now go home and she tells how he "saved" her!

All of his actions were lies, all along, and we only have his word that he went to the insurance company, when he clearly would have called and that's why they responded by phone with letter to follow. Had he really gone, their call and letter would not have been needed.

The detective's account of Beaky's demise in Paris included some testimony from a French hotel worker with limited English who believed Beaky called his companion (who supplied the lethal glass of brandy) either "Aubeam" or "Allbeam". Remember that Beaky constantly called Johnnie "Old Bean".

And of course he killed his friend for the money, the same way he was setting up his wife from the start. The job and fox wrap for the unnecessary maid was a hint at future plans. When he introduced her to his wife, he seemed insincere saying they'd never met.

In the book he even killed her father.

So at the end, she was placated but going home with a scoundrel, just like any battered wife.

[–] artistathome 15 years ago

What book?

if there is a book, then no need for any of these questions, numb nut.

[–] johnrupertg 15 years ago

There are many differences between the book and the film. The film was adapted from Francis Iles' 1932 novel "Before the Fact." The film is brilliant even though somewhat flawed. Yes, the book's ending would have been better, however, given the heroic nature of the star, the studio was not going to go with the book's ending for all concerned even Hitchcock, contrary to what he and others have said it was not a decision forced on Hitchcock; everyone knew that. However, Hitchcock always complained that it was the studio's decision. He doesn't mention that his wife Alma Reville had her hand in the writing. The ending does not deminish what comes before. It is still all about suspicion, and the suspense continues throughout and doesn't end at the ending of the film. Grant's portrayal is brilliant and darkly ambivalent it is a portrayal that is viewed as suspicious.

[–] don-lockwood 15 years ago

I like this interpretation. For people who don't know about the book, or regardless aren't sure about the ending, it's likely much more satisfying to believe that the happy ending is a false one, and that Lina has gone somewhat mad.