What It's About:

American intelligence officers tracking Nazis in post-war South America coerce Alicia Hubermann (Bergman), daughter of an executed Nazi spy, to use her feminine wiles to implicate more of her father's colleagues, including one Alex Sebastian. Before the assignment is disclosed; however, American agent Devlin (Grant) and Alicia have already begun a passionate romance, complicating matters going forward.

Why I Love It:

"Notorious" still delivers outstanding suspense, with director Hitchcock at his most subtle. The story of a fallen woman-first redeemed by love, then put in peril- is riveting throughout, and stars Grant and Bergman emit powerful on-screen chemistry. Acting laurels also go to supporting player Rains, who's never been smoother or slimier than here, playing a Nazi agent. But then, just look at his friends-and that mother! Don't miss the climax, nothing less than pure, understated genius.