Above Suspicion (1943)

Reviewers seem to have wide range of opinions about "Above Suspicion" and I can understand why.Released in 1943, the film actually portrays action that takes place in 1939. The British, anticipating a Nazi invasion of Poland, are preparing for the inevitable. They ask newlyweds Richard and Frances Myles (Fred McMurray and Joan Crawford) to try to track down the "formula" for a new German secret weapon while on their honeymoon. Because they are newly married, surely they would be above suspicion. Richard is a student at Oxford. He wants to keep his bride in the dark about the danger of their mission, but she sees through his subterfuge and is delighted by the fact they will now be "Spies!"The mission is convoluted and unnecessarily complicated, as if written by Rube Goldberg. As they travel from Dover to Paris to Salzburg, they fumble their way from clue to ambiguous clue, managing to keep their sense of humor. Basil Rathbone and Conrad Veidt plays significant roles in this drama that was called "tongue in cheek" by TCM. It's a fair assessment for a story that feels like it could have been written by a teenager. Nevertheless, it's a fun ride punctuated by assassinations and Tyrolian chases.

Well, if Joan Crawford didn't know the end was near for her at MGM, she knew it when she was handed "Above Suspicion," based on the novel of the same name by Helen MacInnes. I read the novel years ago and confess I don't remember much of it.The year is 1939, before war breaks out. Crawford plays a newlywed, and Fred MacMurray her American husband, who teaches at Oxford. The couple are asked by the foreign office to track down someone while honeymooning in Germany, a man who can help the Allies regarding a German secret weapon. This weapon is a magnetic water bomb that is pulled to a ship and explodes. At first, it's fun; then it becomes dangerous.This is an entertaining film in part thanks to a good cast of Crawford, MacMurray, Basil Rathbone, and Conrad Veidt. There are some suspenseful sequences. There is also some real stuff of spy books and films - special hats, song codes, codes on maps and in books."Above Suspicion" doesn't seem very big budget and despite some Bavarian costumes and quaint German towns, it's all Hollywood set. Given the huge films Crawford took part in at MGM, this black and white movie must have seemed like a come-down. It was. Louis B didn't want over the hill actresses - i.e., those over 30. There's nothing special about her part, which could have been done by any MGM stock player. And at 38, for those days, she was a little old to be a bride. Better things were on the horizon for Crawford, though she couldn't have known it at the time.Worth seeing.

Helen McInnes novel is the basis of this 1943 MGM film that marked the last time Joan Crawford worked at the studio after a long career as one of its most famous stars in the studio. Richard Thorpe directed the adaptation for the screen. While it is by no means a remarkable movie, it has good moments in the way the two stars, who were obviously in a light mood, make the best out of their characters.The story revolves Richard and Frances Myles, a newlywed couple, embarking on their honeymoon in the Continent. As they are about to cross the channel, a British intelligence man comes to see them about a small favor: they are asked to find one of their operatives and bring back whatever information he can give the Myles because they will not arise suspicion. Well, little prepares the Oxfor university professor and his bride for the adventure they will encounter."Above Suspicion" still is a lot of fun to watch, even if it's not a great spy movie. The easy chemistry between Fred McMurray and Joan Crawford works out fine and it's surprisingly effective. Mr. McMurray was an excellent actor as he proves here. Ms. Crawford had a lighter role as Frances Myles; she shows good sense of timing for this type of genre. Conrad Veidt is hilarious as the German that shows up in most of the places the Myles seem to go. The best thing in the film is the sequence when he dances a sort of modified tango and Richard Myles wants to get his attention on the dance floor! Basil Rathbone is also on hand to give one of his villainous performances. Reginald Owen and Peter Ainley are seen in supporting roles.

"Above Suspicion(1943)" was the last film Joan Crawford made under her Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract. Crawford had strictly made films for the studio since 1925. She left,because she was dissatisfied with the mundane scripts she was offered.Looking at this film,we can see her point.Here's an espionage thriller that has a great premise and a good cast,but falters midway through.The plot is basically about honeymooners(Crawford and Fred MacMurray)being ask to do spy work in Nazi Germany. They must get information about a secret German mine.Along the way,they encounter colorful characters that lead them to clues.They even witness an assassination of a German leader in an opera house.The first 45 minutes is extremely suspenseful and Crawford and MacMurray have great chemistry together.However,the rest of the film is less than plausible and the ending leaves much to be desired.The problem,though,is with the director,Richard Thorpe.Not one of MGM's best directors,Thrope puts too many unnecessary scenes in the film,that distract from the plot.In addition,he wastes the talent of some great character actors,putting them in one-dimensional roles.Basil Rathbone was great at playing sinister roles.Here he plays a conniving Nazi,but has very little to do.The major miscasting was letting Conrad Veidt play a charming spy.Veidt was marvelous at playing an acid-tongued Nazi officer,most notably in the classic,"Casablanca(1943)." In other hands like Alfred Hitchcock or Fritz Lang,this film could have been first-rate.Crawford wouldn't have a hit movie until "Mildred Pierce(1945)",where she gave perhaps the best performance of her career as a self-sacrificing mother. As it is, the film isn't a bomb,but there are much better spy thrillers out there.I give it 2 1/2 stars out of four.