IMDb >
Phantom Raiders (1940)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsPhantom Raiders (1940) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
7 June 1940 (USA)
more
Plot:
A mysterious rash of cargo ship sinkings in Panama leads insurers Llewellyns of London to hire vacationer...
more
| add synopsis
User Comments:
The Villain
more (5 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Walter Pidgeon | ... | Nick Carter | |
| Donald Meek | ... | Mr. 'Beeswax' Bartholomew, the Bee-Man | |
| Joseph Schildkraut | ... | Mr. Al Taurez | |
| Florence Rice | ... | Cora Barnes | |
| Nat Pendleton | ... | 'Gunboat' Jacklin | |
| John Carroll | ... | John Ramsell, Jr | |
| Steffi Duna | ... | Dolores | |
| Cecil Kellaway | ... | Mr. Franklin Morris | |
| Matthew Boulton | ... | John Ramsell, Sr (as Mathew Boulton) | |
| Alec Craig | ... | Andy 'Mac' MacMillan | |
| Thomas W. Ross | ... | Dr. Grisson (as Thomas Ross) | |
| Dwight Frye | ... | Eddie Anders | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Hugh Beaumont | ... | Seaman (scenes deleted) | |
| William Lally | ... | Port Inspector (scenes deleted) | |
| David Newell | ... | Man in Cafe (scenes deleted) | |
| Harry Strang | ... | Sailor in Cafe (scenes deleted) | |
| William Tannen | ... | Sailor (scenes deleted) | |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Nick Carter in Panama (USA) (original script title)
more
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
70 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:
Sweden:15 |
USA:Approved (PCA #6304)
Company:
Fun Stuff
Goofs:
Factual errors: There is a quick shot of a ship's engine order telegraph, but the words are all printed backward.
more
Movie Connections:
Followed by Sky Murder (1940)
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (5 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Phantom Raiders (1940)Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Marie Galante | Bank Alarm | The Secret of Treasure Island | King of Chinatown | The Galloping Ghost |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Crime section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |

In between the start of talkies and about the time of this, there were all sorts of experiments with the detective form. An amazing number, just absolutely amazing, of discrete types were invented. It was a heady time, much more ambitious and adventuresome than what we have today.
Most of the experiments failed, or course. And that's true even of experiments that were profitable enough to spawn a series. Success in this way means more than just selling tickets, which is easy enough. Its knowing when you find the bones to something you can understand and rebuild over and over in different ways. Its the difference between copying and creating and the creators will always win.
To win you need to understand and to understand you need to try and fail. This is a failure of an interesting type. It sticks to the normal three component model: the detective, the villain, the causal mechanism.
We usually these days are presented with a cool detective, in part because we rely more on actors and personalities. Unfortunately that's not very cinematic usually, so it doesn't reward. This movie treats us to pretty uninteresting detective, pretty much a dope. And his assistant is too, both comic.
Most of the attention so far as character is on the villain. He's supersmooth, always calm and anticipating the next move until towards the end. His weapon is the knife, which he can throw perfectly. At the beginning, he even throws a pen across a room and hits the center of the target.
Incidentally, the causal mechanics of the plot are somewhat incomprehensibly complex. There isn't much complicated in the device, but it is peculiar in a way. Its a radio that sends a triggering signal to bombs concealed on ships. These are blown up for the insurance money. What's unsettling, strange, is that the bombs are concealed in radio receivers. There's no reason for this except to make it easier for us to read.
But the business behind the scenes is what makes the plot work, all sorts of business about swapping cargo, forging inspection documents and manifestos. I admit that THIS was difficult to read because nothing could be shown. It could only be explained.
An interesting fossil, but a bad movie, even though the director had some reputation.
Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.