Suspicion (1941)

Joan Fontaine won a Best Actress Academy Award (the only Oscar for a performance in an Alfred Hitchcock film) for her role in this classic thriller, based on Francis Iles’ novel "Before the Fact." After she learns that the handsome and charming playboy (Cary Grant) she just married is actually a penniless layabout, a woman (Fontaine) begins to suspect he plans to kill her in order to collect on a hefty life insurance policy. Cedric Hardwicke, Nigel Bruce, and May Whitty co-star. 99 min. BW/Rtg: NR

Strangers On A Train (1951)

One of Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest works, based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel, follows two men--unstable charmer Bruno Antony (Robert Walker) and young tennis player Guy Haines (Farley Granger)--who meet by chance on a train and facetiously discuss swapping murder targets in each other’s lives. But when Antony carries out the killing he tries to force Haines to fulfill his end of the "bargain." Ruth Roman, Leo G. Carroll co-star. Hollywood version; 101 min. BW/Rtg: PG

I Confess (1953)

Moody, first-rate mystery from Alfred Hitchcock stars Montgomery Clift as Father Michael Logan, who, after hearing the confession of a murderer, becomes a suspect in the crime himself. Faced with an ethical dilemma, Father Logan realizes he must choose between the sanctity of his vows and his own freedom. Anne Baxter and Karl Malden co-star in this noirish drama based on an obscure 1902 French play. 94 min. BW/Rtg: NR

Dial M For Murder (1954)

Elaborate Hitchcock thriller, adapted by Frederick Knott from his stage play, with Ray Milland as Tony Wendice, a tennis pro who plots to commit the "perfect" crime: the murder of his unfaithful wife, Margot (Grace Kelly). But Margot defends herself against the man sent to do her in, killing him instead. Now, with his plan slowly beginning to unravel, Tony is forced to do some quick thinking. With Robert Cummings, John Williams. Not in 3D. 105 min. C/Rtg: PG

The Wrong Man (1956)

New York nightclub musician Manny Balestrero (Henry Fonda) went to his insurer to see if he could swing a personal loan against his policy. When the clerks believe he’s the hold-up man who robbed them twice, circumstantial evidence and coincidence leave him with an unjust--but all too real--prospect of prison. Alfred Hitchcock’s harrowing true crime tale also stars Vera Miles, Anthony Quayle, Harold J. Stone, Nehemiah Persoff. 105 min. BW/Rtg: NR

North By Northwest (1959)

Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant teamed up for the fourth and final time in this landmark Hollywood suspense tale. Manhattan ad exec Roger Thornhill (Grant) is accidentally thrust into a world of international espionage as he’s chased by criminals, is framed for murder, shares a train ride with a mysterious blonde, gets dusted by a crop plane, and hangs from the faces on Mount Rushmore. Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Leo G. Carroll, Martin Landau co-star. 136 min. C/Rtg: NR