Ranking All of Cary Grant’s Alter Egos in Charade
It's been 59 years since the greatest Hitchcock movie he never made was released!
Charade, in my opinion, is a chic mystery with a bunch of my favourite things: Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy clothing, Cary Grant, a Parisian backdrop, intrigue, Walter Matthau and a host of great character actors of the era (George Kennedy and Charles Coburn spring to mind)...
So in honour of the film's anniversary, today I'm ranking all of Cary Grant's alter egos in this movie. Let me know what you think at the end!
Peter Joshua
We meet this version of Cary Grant first, makes sense that he'd rank up there.
Chic enough to be on holiday in the Alps at the beginning, but continuously lies about his identity and motives to newly-widowed Reggie.
Delivers one of my favourite movie lines, when Reggie tells him that they can't be friends because she knows too many people: "Well, if anyone goes on the critical list, let me know."
Takes her on a romantic date in Paris—that for some reason involves that team-building exercise where you have to transport an orange from one end of the line to the other without using your hands.
Randomly shows up in Paris to ingratiate himself into Reggie's life, quickly gets tangled up in the mystery and doesn't run at the first sign of danger.
Alexander Dyle
Posing as the brother of the deceased, double-crossed Carson Dyle looking for revenge against the men who killed him earns him points from me, because at least this version's got a horse in the game. He's not just there because he's in love with Audrey Hepburn or wants the money.
Shares fun moments with Reggie at the hotel.
Seems needlessly suspicious when he doesn't really have to be.
Adam Canfield
A faux thief, but not in the charming mold like Simon Dermott from How to Steal a Million. This guy terrifies George Kennedy and James Coburn. Y'know how intimidating you need to be to scare those guys? Reggie should've stopped trusting that Cary Grant-smile the moment he told her he was Adam Canfield.
Also, instead of telling Reggie that he's really working for the US Government—and is a safe person—he gives chase to her through the Paris Metro and only reveals that Walter Matthau is lying at the very last second.
Brian Cruikshank
Clearly very smart, able to plan an elaborate ruse to ensure the return of $250,000 after 20 years.
Could've saved Reggie—and us—a lot of heartache/headache by looping her in on the plan from the start. She barely knew her husband and spends the entire movie not wanting to be wrapped up in the mystery she's forced into solving, so very obviously would've helped Brian find the missing money from the word go.
Shows up at the last second and reaps all the glory.
Wants to marry Reggie, so there's that, at least. Happy endings abound! Except for Gideon, Tex and Herman...
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Who's your favourite of Cary Grant's alter egos in Charade? Let me know in the comments!
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