--- title: Alfred Hitchcock Made 'Shadow of a Doubt' on a Tiny Budget description: During WWII, the Wartime Production Board limited film set budgets to $5,000. Hitchcock made one of his best movies on this budget canonical: https://time.com/3823112/alfred-hitchcock-shadow-of-a-doubt/ author: Eliza Berman article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-04-29T12:00:31.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T05:04:33.088Z og:title: How Hitchcock Turned a Small Budget Into a Great Triumph og:description: Hitchcock, who died on April 29, 1980, made his favorite movie on the cheap og:url: https://time.com/3823112/alfred-hitchcock-shadow-of-a-doubt/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt399327bc8dfc37c3/6987eb362dce016eef9e151c/150415-alfred-hitchcock-06.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2560 og:image:height: 1440 og:image:alt: Alfred Hitchcock directing Shadow of a Doubt in 1942 og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: How Hitchcock Turned a Small Budget Into a Great Triumph twitter:description: Hitchcock, who died on April 29, 1980, made his favorite movie on the cheap twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt399327bc8dfc37c3/6987eb362dce016eef9e151c/150415-alfred-hitchcock-06.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # How Hitchcock Turned a Small Budget Into a Great Triumph > Sponsored content. 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They are at time.com/newsletters and are separate from a paid subscription.  by [Eliza Berman](https://time.com/author/eliza-berman/)  ## Eliza Berman Berman is a senior editor at TIME. Apr 29, 2015 12:00 PM UTC  Alfred Hitchcock demonstrating various actions during filming of Shadow of a Doubt. Alfred Hitchcock demonstrating various actions during filming of Shadow of a Doubt. Gjon Mili—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  by [Eliza Berman](https://time.com/author/eliza-berman/)  ## Eliza Berman Berman is a senior editor at TIME. Apr 29, 2015 12:00 PM UTC Alfred Hitchcock’s _Shadow of a Doubt_ is widely considered one of the most masterful films in the history of cinema. Hitchcock himself suggested in interviews that it was his favorite work from his expansive oeuvre—and indie filmmakers everywhere should take comfort in that. The legendary movie was also one of Hitchcock’s most frugally made. During World War II, the War Production Board imposed limits on the film industry in the U.S., capping film set budgets at $5,000 (around $68,000 in today’s dollars) in order to minimize the unnecessary use of materials. Hitchcock normally spent at least $100,000 on movie sets, so the director had to think creatively in order to give _Shadow of a Doubt_ a high-value look on a paltry budget. The solution? Shoot on location. As LIFE explained in 1943: --- > “” --- Though he ended up spending more on travel costs, Hitchcock was able to keep the materials budget under $3,000\. And the frugal production had no adverse effects on critical reception: In a favorable review, TIME drew special attention to the scenery, noting, “Its horror is compounded by its setting.”  _Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter at_ [_@LizabethRonk_](https://twitter.com/LizabethRonk)_._  Alfred Hitchcock directing Shadow of a Doubt in 1942. William Vandivert—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Caption from LIFE. On Hollywood sound stage, side of house which was used in Santa Rosa is reproduced. Most exterior scenes were shot on location, to keep set costs low. For this one Universal used old lumber and nails which are not included in the War Production Board ruling on new materials. Seated on upstairs porch Alfred Hitchcock directs Teresa Wright, holding broken step and flashlight. Gjon Mili—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Alfred Hitchcock on the set of Shadow of a Doubt. J. R. Eyerman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Alfred Hitchcock directing Shadow of a Doubt in 1942. J. R. Eyerman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Alfred Hitchcock directing Shadow of a Doubt in 1942. J. R. Eyerman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Alfred Hitchcock demonstrating various actions during filming of Shadow of a Doubt. Gjon Mili—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Alfred Hitchcock stands on a scale on set. J. R. Eyerman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Alfred Hitchcock directing Shadow of a Doubt in 1942. J. R. Eyerman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Alfred Hitchcock directing Shadow of a Doubt in 1942. J. R. Eyerman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Alfred Hitchcock directing Shadow of a Doubt in 1942. J. R. Eyerman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Alfred Hitchcock with actress Teresa Wright showing how to struggle. Gjon Mili—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Caption from LIFE. Santa Rosa's town square with policeman directing traffic was viewed by Skirball and Hitchcock as they contemplated using it in the movie. In the background is the Bank of America which was used for the exterior shots. To shoot the pictures Main Street was blocked off for three days. J. R. Eyerman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Alfred Hitchcock directing Shadow of a Doubt in 1942. William Vandivert—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Alfred Hitchcock directing Shadow of a Doubt in 1942. William Vandivert—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images  Caption from LIFE. On location in Santa Rosa, Alfred Hitchcock turns railroad depot into a movie set. In foreground Director Hitchcock (seated) explains scene to actors Joseph Cotten, Teresa Wright and Henry Travers. Behind him is movie company consisting of two camera crews, grips, juicers, producer, assistant directors, child-welfare worker, actors, stand-ins, extras, sound men, script girl. J. R. 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