Trivia / Suspicion

• California Doubling: That coast and the cliffs sure do look a lot like southern California.
• Creator's Favorite Episode: Samson Raphaelson considered this movie "in many ways, my best screenplay."
• Doing It for the Art: Joan Fontaine liked the character of Lina in this movie so much, that she sent Alfred Hitchcock a note after she read the novel, "Before the Fact", by Francis Iles, offering to play the part for free, if necessary.
• Executive Meddling: Alfred Hitchcock was quoted as saying that he was forced to alter the ending of the movie. He wanted an ending similar to the climax of the novel, but the studio, more concerned with Cary Grant's "heroic" image, insisted that it be changed.
• Hostility on the Set: Cary Grant did not warm up to Joan Fontaine, finding her to be temperamental and unprofessional.
• Playing Against Type: Cary Grant as a villain.
• What Could Have Been:
  • Originally, the story was intended as a B picture to star George Sanders and Anne Shirley. Then when Alfred Hitchcock became involved, the budget increased and Laurence Olivier and Frances Dee were to star. Eventually, it was decided to cast Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine.
  • In one draft of the script, when Johnnie realizes what was in Lina's mind, he runs away until he can "find some way to pay" his debts (both financial and moral), and joins the U.S. Air Force under a false name. She finds out where he's stationed and proudly watches as his plane, with his nickname for her painted on it, takes off.

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