Thanks for linking our Noir of the Week on Shadow of a Doubt…

Aw, Medusa gets credit for everything! (Some people say she invented the Internet.)

Your focus on this precociously bright girl impersonated so brilliantly by Edna May Wonacott in Shadow of a Doubt made me think that Hitchcock might have used his own observations of his only child, the precociously bright Patricia Hitchcock, as a model for this character.

Having seen her interviewed several times over the years, the very bright and honest Ms. Hitchcock seems to have had an unusually mature relationship with her talented mother (and the director’s closest collaborator), Alma Reville, and her famous father. As a youngster, and later, in film appearances, (perhaps most notably in Strangers on a Train), she often appeared wearing similar glasses and a bit of a smart aleck attitude. Fortunately, Patricia Hitchcock also seems to have found a way to put all her unusual experiences into perspective. She comes across as a friendly, down-to-earth woman.

As with many perceptive girls, the character played by Edna May seems to have a somewhat resigned attitude toward the condescending adults around her, (especially if she can find a way to also patronize her naive younger brother too). Her insights into the world may be funny and dead-on about the inadequacies of those around her, but–as is subtly underlined in her place in the family in “Shadow..”, Ann Newton is, for all her superiority and humor, an isolated figure whose sharp-tongued observations and depth of understanding are often ignored in her family circle.

Do you think that Teresa Wright’s character was much like her sister at that age in this film?

Mopira, I’d surmise that Charlie was as smart as Ann, but possibly more conventially prettier and not wearing glasses, which would give her a leg up. Plus she was the first-born, which is easier than being the middle child. Poor Ann! She just couldn’t win….

Great observation about Pat Hitchcock — you are right…I’ve seen interviews and she does look and sound like a grown-up Ann Newton! Aha! Excellent revelation!

I’m sure I also identify with Ann because I was a young bookworm — I think a few of our Morlocks were! :-)

As SHADOW OF A DOUBT is one of my favorite Hitchcocks, I have to say that I’m impressed, Medusa, with your centering in on one of the key elements that makes it such a joy to watch. There are, strangely, a great many laughs in this movie (many of them swamp-water dark, which is I’m sure what makes it Hitch’s favorite of his own films). But Edna’s performance here is an undeniable bright spot, and certainly one of the most distinctive child performances of that or any other era. The crispness of her voice, the precision of her movement, the carefully-written dialogue given to her by Hitch and Thornton Wilder–all are seared into the memory of anyone who views the film. Since she is a supporting player, though, one tends to forget about her after all the drama that befall the two Charlies. That’s not a bad thing, though, because when one goes to watch it again, and Edna comes on the screen, you almost jump out of your seat in joy when she starts to speak, because you realize that she’s one of the film’s jewels. BTW, I mentioned Thornton Wilder and I don’t think we should discount his contribution to the character’s makeup; there are certain things about her observation that echo the talk amongst the denizens of Grover’s Corner in OUR TOWN.

A totally unique take on this great movie! Thanks, Medusa! And I hope Edna gets to see these comments. She may have only made a lasting impression in one or two major films, but Orson Welles said you only need one. Edna is proof of that, I’d say.

In the 1980’s my wife and I met Joseph Cotten at a screening SOAD at the AFI theatre in the Kennedy Center. He said he was with Hitch when he discovered Edna May on the street in Santa Rosa. Cotten wondered what had happened to her after the film. At that point, a man in the audience spoke up and said he went to school with Edna May and told of the family’s moving from Santa Rosa to LA to benefit her potential career. Alsa, he said, she never made another film with any distinct role, her best being a choir member in ST.MARY’S. She was a fine young actress and it is too bad she never made it in Hollywood. Glad to hear she is alive and well.

I’m replying to let you know what has happened to Edna May Wonacott Green. I’m married and have been for 57 years to my husband Bob. We have three sons, two grandsons, and three greatgrand children. We live in Yuma, AZ. and have for the last 13 years. I’ve enjoyed all your articles about “Ann Newton” and it has brought back some wonderful memories of my childhood. Pat Hitchock and I became close friends even though she was a few years older and when we went to Hollywood I sometimes would go over to their house and spend weekends with the Hitchcoks. Thanks again for all the wonderful things you said about me.

Thank you for the kind words about my mother. Yes I am the reason that you no longer see her in the movies. I have been told many times ” that was no business to raise children in” this saint has never stoped her self sacrifice for her children, ailing mother that lived to be over 100, and now my father batteling cancer. I am prowd to be her son and will never fill her shoes no matter how hard I try.

I apologize for not acknowledging earlier the wonderful comment here from Edna May Wonacott Green herself, and her son. Clearly the world of cinema lost a talent, but oh, what a lovely person the real world obviously gained. Thank you, Edna, for being such a talent and such a nice human being.

Wow…if I loved you before this, I’m even more of a fan now.

Thanks again for writing, Edna and Tracy!

Edna is my best friend and she indeed is a lovely person, a very sincere wonderful lady. It is a pleasure to know her. She did a fine job of maintaining the home for her husband and sons. Knowing her has been a pleasure.

I was struck by Edna May’s performance in “Shadow of a Doubt”. To appear in a Hitchkock film is a tribute. The role inspired me to do some research on Edna May. I wondered why she did not continue on to stardom. I was born a couple of years after Ms. Green and can relate to the film. Ms. Green’s role certainly stands out even though it was not significant to the plot. The performance certainly gave realism and color to the film that a viewer can relate to.

Unfortunately I couldn’t watch all of “shadow of a doubt” (will try and catch it on DVD), but I was SO struck by how the little girl (who I now know to be Edna May W) looked so much like the current little girl actress from “Little Miss Sunshine — both in appearance and persona. Did anyone else have the same thought?

very nice and huge article, thx. read with pleasure :)

My cousin Eileen’s daughter was married to Edna May’s nephew before his death. I remember the family telling the story of her getting a part in “Shadow of a Doubt”. Edna May, if you see this, I want you to know I have been a fan of yours ever since “Shadow” came out and we were happy to have Mike and Janet visit us on his last trip to South Dakota.

With reference to Dorothy Hocking’s comment: My grandfather was Don Casey Wonacott, brother of Ely V. Wonacott, who I believe was Edna May Wonacott’s father. My father Ray Wonacott told me that Ely and Edna May were dining in a Hollywood restaurant and Mr. Hitchcock happened to be at a nearby table. He noticed Edna May and asked if she would be interested in appearing in his movie. I would be curious to hear if this is the correct story and/or hear additional details. I just finished putting together a brief history of Don Wonacott’s family including all his brothers and sisters and would be happy to share what I learned. Email me at swonacot@wyoming.com if interested.