A lot of people seem to deride this film, but I found it quite enjoyable. It was Joan Crawfords last contract film at MGM, and far from walking through the part I personally think she sails along quite breezily and relaxed, which is just right for the character she plays. Basil Rathbone always makes a great, charming villain, and the much underrated Fred MacMurray comes across quite well as the hero. Casting of all supporting parts is excellent, and the MGM production values are faultless. The first half of the film is considerably better than the second as €"things become a bit chaotic and muddled towards the end -but its great to see a Hollywood film where the Germans actually speak German. There are also one or two quite extraordinary tracking shots, especially one in the concert hall, and in fact this whole sequence has an intensity that one wishes the entire film had. Still, if you can swallow the premise of the film and follow the logic of the "trail" you will perhaps be as entertained as I was by this one.

If the viewer can keep up with all the directions given in this nifty little spy vs. spy thriller, he is a better man than I Gunga Din. It's amazing that Richard Myles (Fred MacMurray) can remember all the details. The viewer may also be amazed that Fred MacMurray speaks such good German. MacMurray is one of those great Hollywood actors who never received his due, even though he almost matched the performances of Edward G. Robinson and Barbara Stanwyck in the film noir classic "Double Indemnity." He certainly keeps up with Joan Crawford in "Above Suspicion," although the two simply don't jell as a team. Barbara Stanwyck would have made a much better partner for MacMurray in this film.All that aside, this is still a topnotch suspense movie from World War II. The flick is fast-paced and has worn well with the passage of time, since all the goings on are now just history to most viewers. Since director Richard Thorpe was an old hand at directing action pictures he lets the show get on the road and move along rapidly. He throws humor in from time to time to ease the tension the way Hitchcock would do in a more masterful way. Viewers used to seeing Basil Rathbone play Sherlock Holmes will enjoy seeing him play a dastardly Nazi stooge who receives his just desserts. In the opposite direction viewers may also enjoy seeing Conrad Veidt playing a good guy who assists the newlyweds Frances and Richard Myles (Joan Crawford and Fred MacMurray)in their dangerous mission inside Nazi Germany. Those who enjoy World War II espionage films, should find this one a winner.

In 1943 Joan Crawford was dismissed from MGM (or she walked away after buying her contract out, whichever version applies) and after several years of being offered lesser and lesser starring vehicles with the exception of THE WOMEN and the minor hit A WOMAN'S FACE, and after being on the box-office poison list (in which she was not alone but in good company) she was given this last movie.ABOVE SUSPICION is one of the handful of films that came out during World War II which served as a backdrop to denounce anything remotely Nazi. This, of course, is really mindless fluff -- much like today's ridiculous blockbusters trying to capitalize on the crisis situation of the moment (be it war or terrorism) and of course, bringing into the mix some high-power action names and some flashy but silly storytelling -- and in no moment can anyone believe that Crawford and MacMurray are British spies working undercover, no more than anything which takes place here. Worthy of notice was that Crawford began around this time to lower her voice and polish her diction which would become her trademark in later performances, but other than that -- an end to a contract and the beginning of what would be her (more rewarding, albeit brief) years at Warner Bros.

Joan Crawford's last film for MGM doesn't exactly showcase her talents, and she soon after moved to Warner Bros. and her Oscar triumph in Mildred Pierce. She was just a well-dressed clothes horse for Metro by the 40s.This particular piece of hokum though teams her with the tiresome Fred MacMurray, Basil Rathbone, and, in his last film, Conrad Veidt. Veidt is as good as ever and his presence certainly lifts the film.It is a tale of intrigue and the fight against Nazism, but is hardly involving. I've seen much better movies on similar lines made before and after this one, and it isn't one I'd be that bothered about seeing again.