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Scope Note:

Fictional work frequently related to the crime genre in that the subject is usually some aspect of criminal activity, but with the emphasis away from a detective, gangster, caper, or even the crime itself. Instead, the narrative concentrates on suspense as an individual or group is placed in a dangerous situation whose outcome hinges on sudden reversals of fate. Frequent themes are political conspiracy, terrorism, innocents on the run, romantic triangles leading to murder, and individuals suffering from psychosis. Feature examples: CAPE FEAR; THE CONVERSATION; LE CORBEAU / THE RAVEN; DIABOLIQUE; DR. MABUSE DER SPIELER; FATAL ATTRACTION; GASLIGHT / ANGEL STREET / THE MURDER IN THORNTON SQUARE; THE GENERAL DIED AT DAWN (with War); THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (with Adaptation); THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI; M (with Social Problem); THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (with Political; Adaptation); MR. ARKADIN / CONFIDENTIAL AGENT (with Adaptation); OBSESSION; THE PARALLAX VIEW (with Political); REBECCA (with Adaptation); SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY; SPEED; SPELLBOUND; THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE; STRANGERS ON A TRAIN; THE THIRD MAN; VERTIGO. TV examples: THE ADVENTURES OF FU-MANCHU; THE FUGITIVE (with Road); THE HIJACKING OF THE ACHILLE LAURO; HOSTAGE FLIGHT; THE PRISONER.

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