Notorious (1946)

Last updated:
September 29, 2024

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Alicia’s Troubled Past

The film opens by introducing Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman), a woman struggling to escape the shadow of her father’s notoriety. Her father was a convicted Nazi collaborator, and Alicia, feeling the weight of her family name, turns to drinking and reckless behavior. Soon, she is approached by American government agents, who ask her to infiltrate a Nazi organization hiding in Brazil. The agents believe her beauty, charm, and family connection make her the perfect candidate for the mission.

Enter Devlin

Alicia is introduced to T.R. Devlin (Cary Grant), a suave, stoic government agent who becomes her handler. Though initially cold and professional, the two quickly develop a strong mutual attraction. Devlin begins to fall for Alicia, but their relationship is complicated by her troubled past and the dangerous mission that awaits them. Despite this, Alicia agrees to go to Brazil for her country.

The Mission: Seduction and Deception

Once in Rio de Janeiro, Alicia’s task becomes clear: she must get close to Alexander Sebastian (Claude Rains), a high-ranking Nazi living in Brazil who was once in love with her. Though this makes Devlin jealous, he insists that Alicia go through with the plan for the sake of the mission. Alicia reluctantly accepts, and her seduction of Sebastian works all too well—he proposes marriage. This leads to Alicia entering the heart of Sebastian’s household, where she must spy on his secretive activities.

The Wine Cellar: A Critical Discovery

As Alicia becomes more embedded in Sebastian’s life, she and Devlin work together to uncover the Nazis’ secret plot. One of the film’s most tense and famous scenes occurs when Alicia and Devlin investigate Sebastian’s wine cellar during a party. They discover that bottles of wine are being used to hide uranium ore, a key element in the Nazis’ plan to build atomic weapons. This discovery puts Alicia in even greater danger, as her loyalty to Sebastian is now in question.

Suspicion and Poison: The Noose Tightens

Sebastian eventually discovers that Alicia is an undercover agent, but instead of confronting her directly, he and his domineering mother decide to quietly poison her. Alicia begins to fall ill, slowly succumbing to the effects of the poison while trapped in Sebastian’s house.

In one of Hitchcock’s signature suspense sequences, Devlin realizes that something is wrong and arrives just in time to save her. In a heart-pounding escape, Devlin carries a weakened Alicia out of the mansion while Sebastian and his co-conspirators watch, knowing that if Sebastian’s betrayal is revealed to his Nazi comrades, his own life is at risk.

Movie Ending

In the final scene, Devlin and Alicia flee from Sebastian’s house, with Sebastian realizing his fate is sealed. As Devlin and Alicia leave the mansion, Sebastian must return to his Nazi colleagues, who now view him with suspicion. The implication is clear: Sebastian’s treachery will lead to his demise. The film closes on Devlin and Alicia driving away to safety, leaving Sebastian to his grim fate, while Devlin expresses his love for Alicia, solidifying the romantic undercurrent of the story.

Post-Credits Scene?

There is no post-credits scene in Notorious. As was typical of films from this era, the story concludes cleanly with no additional footage or hints at sequels.

Type of Movie

Notorious is a spy thriller that also weaves in elements of romance and psychological drama. It is a Hitchcockian suspense film with themes of loyalty, betrayal, and moral ambiguity.

Cast

Cary Grant as T.R. Devlin
Ingrid Bergman as Alicia Huberman
Claude Rains as Alexander Sebastian
Leopoldine Konstantin as Madame Anna Sebastian
Louis Calhern as Captain Paul Prescott

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was composed by Roy Webb, a composer well-known for his work on noir and thriller films in the 1940s. The music underscores the tension and emotional depth of the story, heightening the suspense in key scenes, especially during moments of high tension, such as the wine cellar discovery.

Filming Locations

Los Angeles, California: Most of the film was shot on soundstages at RKO Studios, with interiors and backlots replicating the Brazilian setting.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Some exterior shots were filmed in Rio to provide authenticity, although much of the city was recreated on set.

The South American setting, especially Rio de Janeiro, adds an exotic flavor to the film and highlights the global nature of post-WWII espionage.

Awards and Nominations

Academy Awards:
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Claude Rains)
Nominated for Best Writing, Original Screenplay (Ben Hecht)

Though Notorious didn’t win any Oscars, it remains one of Hitchcock’s most critically acclaimed films.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Alfred Hitchcock’s insistence on a longer kissing scene between Grant and Bergman was a way to circumvent the Hays Code limitations on screen kisses. He directed them to kiss in brief, consecutive intervals, resulting in a sensual, extended scene that passed censorship.
Hitchcock had a notorious fear of actors upstaging him and often referred to them as “cattle,” though he had great respect for Bergman and Grant’s performances.
The uranium plotline raised eyebrows with the FBI, as it was a sensitive subject post-WWII.

Inspirations and References

Notorious was inspired by real espionage activities and stories that were circulating during and after World War II. The plot’s focus on uranium reflects early anxieties about atomic energy and weapons in the post-war era.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no known alternate endings or major deleted scenes for Notorious. Hitchcock was famously precise with his shooting and editing, leaving little material on the cutting room floor.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Notorious is not based on a book but rather on an original screenplay by Ben Hecht, one of the era’s most accomplished screenwriters. Hecht’s script expertly balances the romantic and espionage elements of the story.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The Kiss: The infamous kissing scene between Devlin and Alicia, where Hitchcock cleverly dodges censorship rules by having the characters kiss for long intervals.
The Wine Cellar: Devlin and Alicia’s discovery of uranium in the wine bottles is one of the film’s most tense moments, with Alicia’s fate hanging in the balance.
Alicia’s Poisoning: The gradual realization that Alicia is being poisoned builds unbearable suspense.

Iconic Quotes

Devlin: “Dry your eyes, baby. It’s out of character.”
Alicia: “This is a very strange love affair.”
Sebastian: “I’m married to an American agent.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Hitchcock makes his traditional cameo in the film at a party, seen drinking champagne.
The use of shadows and mirrors throughout the film is a visual metaphor for the themes of duplicity and hidden motives.

Trivia

Ingrid Bergman was initially unsure about working with Hitchcock due to his cold demeanor, but they formed a strong professional relationship.
Claude Rains, despite being much shorter than Cary Grant, plays a villain with immense screen presence, creating a compelling triangle of tension between the three leads.
The film is noted for pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable in terms of sexual tension and moral ambiguity during the 1940s.

Why Watch?

Notorious is a must-watch for fans of classic cinema, Hitchcock, and espionage thrillers. Its brilliant performances, tense atmosphere, and emotionally complex story elevate it beyond typical spy fare. The romance between Grant and Bergman adds a layer of humanity to the intricate plot, making it a film that satisfies both intellectually and emotionally.