Getting back home late at night,I started looking for a quick Horror flick to view before going to bed. Looking round online, I stumbled on an Old Dark House title,which led to me meeting The Phantom.
View on the film:
Spanning just 61 minutes, the screenplay by writer/director Alan James avoids the plodding mood other low-rent movies from the era have by keeping the mystery moving at a snappy pace, as occasional appearances from The Phantom pulls more guests to the old dark house. Pre-dating Scobby Doo with the silly unmasking of The Phantom,James also offers up some risqué Pre-Code asides in the exchanges of the house guests. Staying firmly stage-bound for this early talkie, James & cinematographer Jack Draper give the Old Dark House a nice creepy, creaking appearance, which stretches with the very melodramatic performances of the cast in search of The Phantom.
View on the film:
Spanning just 61 minutes, the screenplay by writer/director Alan James avoids the plodding mood other low-rent movies from the era have by keeping the mystery moving at a snappy pace, as occasional appearances from The Phantom pulls more guests to the old dark house. Pre-dating Scobby Doo with the silly unmasking of The Phantom,James also offers up some risqué Pre-Code asides in the exchanges of the house guests. Staying firmly stage-bound for this early talkie, James & cinematographer Jack Draper give the Old Dark House a nice creepy, creaking appearance, which stretches with the very melodramatic performances of the cast in search of The Phantom.