Notorious 1946
Directed by
Alfred Hitchcock
Made by
RKO Radio Pictures
Plot Summary
After her Nazi father faces treason charges from a jury in Miami, Florida, Alicia Huberman seeks to escape her turmoil by hosting a loud party, where she flirts with the uninvited T. R. Devlin. Later that night, while driving under the influence, Alicia is pulled over for speeding. However, upon seeing Devlin’s official credentials, the motorcycle officer lets her go without a ticket. Infuriated by Devlin, who she perceives as a traitor, she lashes out at him, calling him a “double-crossing cop.”
Despite his disapproval of Alicia’s reckless lifestyle, Devlin believes in her loyalty to America, having overheard her private comments. He proposes a covert mission for her to infiltrate a Nazi industrial group in Brazil. At first resistant, the embittered Alicia ultimately decides to join him in Rio de Janeiro. There, she enjoys a week filled with romance and leisure, claiming to Devlin that she is a changed woman. While Devlin remains sceptical of her transformation, he finds himself falling for her.
However, their peaceful time is disrupted when Devlin’s superior, Paul Prescott, reveals that Alicia’s mission involves seducing her former love, Alexander Sebastian, to uncover the workings of his war machine. Torn between her feelings and the mission, Alicia feels unloved and accepts her assignment, seeing it as a chance to prove herself. Devlin, seeing her decision as a sign of her capriciousness, steps back, allowing her to pursue Alex.
Their plan unfolds as Alicia meets Alex in a park and flirts with him. During a dinner at Alex’s home, she overhears a conversation about a guest, Emil Hupka, whose behavior has drawn unwanted attention. Soon, it becomes apparent that Alex’s group—led by the sinister Eric Mathis—plans to eliminate Emil. While reporting back to Devlin at a Rio racetrack, Alicia sarcastically informs him that the lovesick Alex is now her “playmate.” Devlin feels disgusted but maintains his cover as Alicia’s heartbroken admirer.
Shortly after, Alicia surprises Prescott and Devlin with news of her engagement to Alex, leaving Devlin heartbroken yet again. Following a brief honeymoon, they return to Alex’s home, where his overbearing mother, Anna, regards Alicia with jealousy. Alicia quickly surveys the house and discovers that only Alex has access to the wine cellar’s key.
Devlin instructs Alicia to host a party to steal the key, enabling him to investigate the cellar. During the event, she manages to take the key and sneaks away with Devlin. In the cellar, they discover a bottle that, instead of wine, contains a mysterious mineral. While trying to conceal their find, they are caught by Alex, who grows suspicious.
As days pass, Alicia begins to feel increasingly unwell due to Anna’s secretive poisoning—disguised as a coffee additive. During a subsequent meeting with Prescott, Alicia learns about the mineral’s true identity: uranium. Though too weak to escape, she realizes the peril she is in due to Alex and Anna’s treachery. Devlin, noticing Alicia’s illness, rushes to her aid, determined to rescue her from the clutches of the Nazis.
Finally, Devlin arrives at Alex’s residence, where he finds a sedated yet elated Alicia. As they confess their love amidst the chaos, Alex tries to intervene, but Devlin stands firm, sealing his rival’s fate as he prepares to take Alicia to safety.
Timeline
Alicia's Party
In an attempt to escape from her troubled life, Alicia Huberman throws a loud party in Miami. During the festivities, she flirts with the uninvited T. R. Devlin, who is not well received by her due to her anger towards him.
Traffic Stop
Later that night, Alicia, having indulged in alcohol, is pulled over for speeding by a motorcycle officer. Recognizing Devlin's official credentials, the officer allows her to go free, further infuriating Alicia as she lashes out at Devlin for his perceived betrayal.
The Proposal
Despite her reckless behavior, Devlin believes in Alicia's loyalty to America and proposes that she infiltrate a Nazi industrial group in Brazil. Initially resistant to the idea, Alicia eventually decides to take on the dangerous mission, seeking a chance to reshape her life.
Arrival in Brazil
Alicia arrives in Rio de Janeiro, where she enjoys a week filled with romance and leisure, presenting herself as a changed woman to Devlin. However, Devlin remains skeptical about her transformation, which complicates their budding relationship.
Mission Briefing
The tranquility of their time is shattered when Devlin's superior, Paul Prescott, outlines Alicia's actual mission: seducing her former love, Alexander Sebastian, to gather intelligence on his operations. This revelation leaves Alicia feeling conflicted about her loyalties.
Meeting Alexander
Alicia finally meets Alexander in a park, initiating their flirtation. She begins to feel a mix of attraction and betrayal as she is drawn into the schematics of her mission while still holding feelings for Devlin.
Dinner at Alex's Home
During a dinner at Alex’s home, Alicia inadvertently overhears troubling conversations about a guest named Emil Hupka who is under suspicion. This prompts her to report back to Devlin, where she sarcastically mentions Alex as her new 'playmate' while Devlin masks his disgust.
Engagement Announcement
Alicia surprises Devlin and Prescott with the news of her engagement to Alexander, further complicating her relationship with Devlin who feels heartbroken at her apparent betrayal. This decision underscores her painful conflict between love and duty.
Exploring the House
After a short honeymoon, Alicia returns to Alex's home where she quickly realizes that only Alex has the wine cellar key. This discovery is critical as it sets the stage for their covert investigation into Alex's dangerous affiliations.
The Party Plan
Devlin instructs Alicia to host a party as a means to steal the key to the wine cellar. Successfully obtaining the key, Alicia sneaks away with Devlin to uncover the secrets hidden within the cellar.
The Discovery
In the cellar, Alicia and Devlin find a mysterious bottle containing uranium instead of wine. This revelation raises the stakes of their mission as Devlin and Alicia realize the true extent of the danger posed by Alex's group.
Poisoning Revelation
Alicia begins to feel increasingly unwell due to Anna's covert attempts to poison her. During a meeting with Prescott, she learns the mineral they discovered is uranium, realizing she is in grave danger while trying to escape her situation.
Devlin's Rescue Attempt
Noticing Alicia's deteriorating health, Devlin rushes to confront the dire circumstances she faces at Alex's residence. His urgency signals his commitment to saving her from being ensnared by the villains surrounding them.
Final Confrontation
Devlin finds Alicia in a vulnerable state, where they profess their love amidst the chaos. As Alex tries to intervene, Devlin stands firm, effectively sealing Alex's fate as he prepares to take Alicia to safety from the looming threats.
Characters
Alicia Huberman
Alicia is a complex character caught between her past and her present. Initially portrayed as reckless and flirtatious, her journey involves deep personal sacrifice and transformation as she grapples with her loyalties and feelings for both Devlin and Alex.
T. R. Devlin
Devlin is an intelligence agent marked by his strong sense of duty and evolving feelings for Alicia. His skepticism of her motives reveals his depth and commitment to both his mission and his emotional ties to Alicia.
Alexander Sebastian
Sebastian is portrayed as a charming but ultimately dangerous man who represents the conflict in Alicia's loyalties. His attraction to Alicia complicates the espionage plot, serving as both her target and romantic interest.
Paul Prescott
Prescott is Devlin's superior, embodying the authority and pressure of the espionage world. His role emphasizes the high stakes of Alicia's mission and the moral dilemmas faced by all involved.
Anna
Alex's mother, Anna, represents traditional dangers as she embodies jealousy and manipulation. Her character adds tension to Alicia's mission by complicating her domestic life with Alex.
Setting
Time period
The movie doesn't specify an exact time period, but it appears to take place during the mid-20th century, around the time of World War II. This context underscores the themes of loyalty and betrayal in light of the ongoing war and the infiltration of Nazi affiliations.
Location
Miami, Florida, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The movie takes place in Miami, Florida, known for its vibrant nightlife and cultural diversity, where Alicia's turmoil begins. The story then moves to Rio de Janeiro, a city celebrated for its stunning beaches and lush scenery, providing a seemingly idyllic backdrop for espionage and romance.
Themes
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Betrayal
Betrayal is a central theme, as Alicia must navigate her feelings for Devlin and Alex while fulfilling a dangerous mission. The characters face conflicting loyalties between love and duty, particularly as past relationships and hidden motives come to light.
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Espionage
Espionage drives the plot as Alicia becomes a double agent infiltrating a Nazi organization. Her role highlights the dangerous intersection of personal sacrifice and national loyalty during wartime, emphasizing the moral complexities involved.
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Romance
Romance intertwines with suspense, as Alicia's feelings for Devlin complicate her mission. Their relationship develops amidst the high stakes of espionage, showcasing the balance between love and betrayal in a tumultuous environment.
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