Here's why...most of the female leads employ an acting style that was prevalent in the 1940's but totally drives me nuts: rapid, over-annunciated speech with more emotion in it than is necessary. This film would have been so much better if the ladies just spoke like normal human beings. I couldn't get beyond this flaw to enjoy the film. Thankfully, it toned down a bit toward the end of the film but it was too little, to late. The little girl was particularly "precocious" and I don't mean that as a compliment. I was hoping she would be dispatched early in the film so I didn't have to hear her obnoxious voice anymore.
Secondly, Shadow of a Doubt is always referred to as an intense and suspenseful thriller. Did I miss something? Give me The Wolf Man (1941) or Hitchcock's Suspicion (1941) over Shadow of a Doubt. I found the first half of the film to be a bit of a yawner. It was only when the killer began to show his true colors that things got interesting.
Speaking of killers, the bright spot of Shadow of a Doubt was definitely Joseph Cotton [Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte, The Abominable Dr Phibes] whose films I admire. I'm amazed he wasn't a huge star because he's such a great actor. He imbues his character Uncle Charlie with charm and refinement and then subtly lets the character's dark side show. This was a great role for Cotton and he totally hits it out of the ballpark.
So, I have to give this a Good and stand as the only person I've come across who was underwhelmed by this film. Give me Psycho or The Birds over Shadow of a Doubt any day!
RATING: Good.
For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.
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