'The Paradine Case' is lesser known and unpopular Hitchcock's film, and although it is better than one can assume based on reviews, but it definitely can't hold the candle compares with better movies from the 'Master of Suspense'. Alfred Hitchcock wrote the screenplay together with his wife Alma Reville before bringing playwright James Bridieto do polishing. Producer David O. Selznick wasn't satisfied and did lot of rewrites, usually rushing the new material on the set before shooting. That caused many clashes between Hitchcock and Selznick, and 'The Paradine Case' remained the last movie these two ever worked together. Hitchcock wasn't very passionate about the film anyway, so now we have this film that somehow is but it isn't. The skillful directing is there, but the story, although occasionally engaging, seems all over the place. Some scenes at the trial are outrageously ludicrous, like the breakdowns Louis Jourdan's and Gregory Peck's characters. Gregory Peck himself, who clearly tried his best, still felt out of place, and there was no real chemistry between him and Alida Valli to turn their relationship into fiery romance, but it was rather hissing balloon. Absolutely fantastic performances came from supporting cast, especially Charles Laughton, Ann Todd and Louis Jourdan to name a few.It is not bad movie, as the premise is interesting, the cast is great (although Gregory Peck and Alida Valli are clearly miscast, their performances alone aren't bad), the screenplay is too meandering, but besides those couple of really ridiculous moments it offers magnificent scenes (acting/writing/directing all perfect). 'The Paradine Case' is definitely worth to watch, even if it is one of the most 'hit and miss' movie of great Alfred Hitchcock.

There was always subtext in Alfred Hitchcock's films, but "The Paradine Case" has subtext to spare.Successful London barrister, Anthony Keane (Gregory Peck), takes the case of Anna Paradine (Alida Valli) who is charged with murdering Colonel Paradine, her rich, blind husband. Although happily married, Keane becomes infatuated with his beautiful client and his judgment, his career and his marriage begin to unravel.On the surface this may have seemed like lesser Hitchcock; although sharply written there isn't much warmth in evidence. The edginess of the film comes in the uncomfortable way Keane obsesses over Mrs Paradine, which hurts his wife, Gay (Ann Todd). The casting of good-looking Louis Jordan is often cited as a weakness, but I think he was fine - Hitchcock and producer David O Selznick just hit a nerve with the whole thing.If ever there were two men who knew something about obsessing over beautiful women it was Selznick and Hitchcock.Selznick's adoration of his wife Jennifer Jones, beginning with cutting-in on her first marriage, is well known. Hitchcock famously obsessed over just about all of his leading ladies culminating in all that weird stuff with Tippi Hedren.Here, the main character's destructive obsession with a beautiful, duplicitous woman was a warm-up for Hitchcock's "Vertigo" made ten years later. The telling scene is when Keane first meets Mrs Paradine and observes that her blind husband didn't realise the sacrifice his wife had made in marrying him because he hadn't seen her - Anna Paradine knows she's got Anthony Keane hook, line and sinker.Although she wasn't one of his famous blondes, Hitchcock and cinematographer Lee Garmes went to town on her look. Alida Valli was stunning, and that haunting beauty was never captured more effectively than in this film.The cast is fabulous. If you are a Laughton fan this is one of his best. It's a delicious performance, but he is totally odious as Judge Tommy Horfield complete with cruel observations on the impermanence of beauty.This film is a class act from beginning to end and Franz Waxman's velvety score gives it a sumptuous quality.I think Hitchcock fans can watch his best films over and over; "Rear Window", "North by Northwest" and others - "The Paradine Case" is one I would add to the list.

A lesser-known Hitchcock courtroom drama. Intriguing, but not entirely satisfying. A woman, Anna Paradine, is on trial for the murder of her husband. Anthony Keane (played by Gregory Peck) agrees to represent her. After a while their relationship becomes more than client and lawyer...Plot turns out to be average, and the human/romantic drama is a damp squib. What gets it through is Hitchcock's style, and what style it is. He manages to create and maintain suspense out of nothing. The camera distances and angles are a treat, as is the editing.Solid performance by Gregory Peck, in an early role. Good support from Ann Todd, Charles Laughton, Alida Valli and Ethel Barrymore.

most of all, a very unnatural and again, very pretentious movie. the whole film just looked so badly scripted. watching it was like watching those characters on a staged theater. the poor dialog had forced every one in this film to act awkwardly and again, very pretentiously. peck's performance was one of the worst in his career. the young wife of the attorney already slept in a separate room. why all the couples in most of the films came out of that era were without any kids? why this specific director always wanted to show himself in all the films he directed as a passersby, a non-described person? and he walked out of the Cumberland train station this time. this film storyline was so flat and boring with a terrible scenario and plot, and the courtroom part was extremely boring too. there's nothing to be praised, no wonder it's been overlooked so far.