Joan Caufield

(On Cable TV, September 2022) As far as classic noir goes, The Unsuspected does the job—we’ve got Manhattan socialites plotting murder, a devious plan, some twists and turns and a good climactic sequence making use of radio. Michael Curtiz directs with a veteran’s skill, while Claude Rains is fun as a perfidious radio host whose passion for murder goes from narration to execution. Meanwhile, Joan Caufield and Audrey Totter are in danger throughout the picture. (Don’t look for a femme fatale, though—this is a noir mystery rather than a thriller.)  It all works well, with just enough style to patch over a few rough spots and slower moments along the way. It recalls better films (Laura being the first of them) but the convoluted plot keeps viewers involved and lets Curtiz showcase more stylistic highlights. The Unsuspected may not be straightforward enough to be iconic, but it’s still a nice time in film-noir land.