Cause For Alarm is a tantalizing piece of retro filmmaking that engages audiences into the world of classic film noir. Produced in 1951, it’s directed by acclaimed filmmaker Tay Garnett, who is known for his contribution to the noir subgenre defined by its moral ambiguity, cynical characters and sensuous storytelling. The film is a tangible throwback to old Hollywood variety of suspense and drama, leaving it to hold its head high above conventional storytelling.

In Cause For Alarm, audiences are treated to a tale that boasts a gripping narrative, featuring a twisted plot that's captivating from the beginning till the end. Its central character is a chronically ill man named George Z. Jones, who grows increasingly paranoid about his own wife, Ellen Jones, and his doctor, Ranney Grahame. The illness clouds his judgment, leading him to conclude that these two people closest to him are conspiring to murder him.

We're then introduced to Ellen Jones, who essentially becomes the protagonist of this narrative. Played by the brilliant Loretta Young, viewers witness her struggle as a woman both victimized by her husband's paranoia and trapped by the circumstances surrounding her. George's letter, accusing her of scheming to kill him, gets mailed before he suddenly dies of his disease. This letter has Ellen teetering on the edge, realizing that it would make her a prime suspect in filing for murder once it reaches its recipient, the local district attorney. Being a woman challenged by society's judgment and the implications of her husband's accusatory death letter, the story begins to center around her desperate attempts to retrieve the potentially damaging letter.

Meanwhile, Ranney Grahame's character has layers that unravel as the story unfurls. Beyond the first impressions of just being George's doctor, his character adds to the suspenseful build-up of the storyline, with his actions affecting the Jones family's life in multiple ways.

The narrative dives deeper into this thrilling spiral with each event as these characters' lives get intertwining. Cause For Alarm features the very essence of the Film Noir era with its high-stakes tension, psychological intensity, and sensually charged suspense. The film engenders the remarkable atmosphere of the 50s, with its use of shadow and light to depict the nuances of human nature, infidelity, desperation, and the lengths to which people might go when pushed to their limits.

Garnett uses camera angles, close-ups, and illuminates morality in flashy conversations, a trope pertinent to film noir. The screenplay, the cinematography, and the evocative usage of monochrome colors make the film transcend beyond just a crime thriller; it's beautifully noir in the milieu it creates and fairly character centric. The actors' heartfelt performances coupled with Garnett's vision make the viewers resonate emotionally with the story, often leaving them at the edge of their seats.

Loretta Young's performance is the film’s shining beacon. The way only her expressions carry the film through tense moments offers viewers a glimpse of her acting prowess, essentially delivering one of her career's finest performances. Barry Sullivan, who plays George Z. Jones, has also given a believable portrayal of a pathetically paranoid and sick individual.

Cause For Alarm also finds its strength in the storytelling. The plot unfolds retrospectively, with a structure that emphasizes reminiscence and past events that present a multi-layered narrative of reality and human nature. The film captures the essence of the timeline perfectly and takes audiences on a trip back in time in a way few movies manage to do.

Overall, Cause For Alarm is an incredibly fascinating depiction of the classic film noir genre, a testament to the golden age of Hollywood. With its artful storytelling and riveting performances, the movie provides viewers with an immersive cinematic experience. It invites the audience to experience the thrill, fear, anxiety, and relief that the characters on the screen go through. A cinematic gem of its era, Cause For Alarm is an embodiment of true suspense and thrills, making it a must-see for classic noir enthusiasts.