Spellbound (1945)

My Review

Director Alfred Hitchcock explores the world of psychoanalysis in “Spellbound.” The suspense-filled story tells of a new chief of a mental hospital (Gregory Peck) who seems not to be what he claims. Beautiful Ingrid Bergman does some investigating to find out what’s going on. Hitchcock hired Angus MacPhail and Ben Hecht to write the screenplay, with good results.

The cast includes Gregory Peck, Ingrid Bergman, Leo G. Carroll, Michael Chekhov, Paul Harvey, John Emery, Steven Geray, and Regis Toomey in his usual role as a police detective. Rhonda Fleming made her silver screen debut as a patient in the asylum. “Spellbound” was the third highest grossing film of 1945 for producer David O. Selznick, Vanguard Films, and United Artists.

Alfred Hitchcock’s “Spellbound” was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning one for Best Original Score (Miklos Rozsa). Non-winners include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Chekhov), Best Cinematography (George Barnes), and Best Visual Effects.