Phantom Lady (1944)

A devoted secretary risks her life to try to find the elusive woman who may prove her boss didn't murder his selfish wife.

Director:

Robert Siodmak

Writers:

Bernard C. Schoenfeld (screenplay), Cornell Woolrich (based on the novel by) (as William Irish)

Stars:

Franchot Tone, Ella Raines, Alan Curtis

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Franchot Tone	...	Jack Marlow
Ella Raines	...	Carol Richman
Alan Curtis	...	Scott Henderson
Aurora Miranda	...	Estela Monteiro (as Aurora)
Thomas Gomez	...	Inspector Burgess
Fay Helm	...	Ann Terry
Elisha Cook Jr.	...	Cliff
Andrew Tombes	...	Bartender
Regis Toomey	...	Detective
Joseph Crehan	...	Detective
Doris Lloyd	...	Kettisha
Virginia Brissac	...	Dr. Chase
Milburn Stone	...	District Attorney (voice)

Storyline

Unhappily married Scott Henderson spends the evening on a no-name basis with a hat-wearing woman he picked up in a bar. Returning home, he finds his wife strangled and becomes the prime suspect in her murder. Every effort to establish his alibi fails; oddly no one seems to remember seeing the phantom lady (or her hat). In prison, Scott gives up hope but his faithful secretary, "Kansas," doggedly follows evanescent clues through shadowy nocturnal streets. Can she save Scott in time?

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Plot Keywords:

secretary | murder | car accident | frameup | selfishness | 

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Taglines:

The most talked about mystery in ten years!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Mystery

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The automobile driven by Franchot Tone is a 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible De Luxe Coupe.

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Goofs

Early in the film, the character Scott Henderson is found guilty of second-degree murder and condemned to death. In New York in the 1940s, the jury would have to find him guilty of first-degree murder in order to condemn him to death.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ann Terry: [to bartender] Give me a nickel, please.

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Connections

Referenced in The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)

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Soundtracks

Chick-ee-Chick
(1944) (uncredited)
Music by Jacques Press
Lyrics by Eddie Cherkose
Performed by Aurora Miranda and showgirls at the Casino

User Reviews

Excellent film noir

This is a very unusual film in that the star with the top billing doesn't appear literally until half way in. Nevertheless I was engaged by the hook of the Phantom Lady. Curtis, though competent as the falsely accused Scott Henderson, looks a little tough to be be sympathetic towards (perhaps he should have shaved his moustache) and his behavior when he first comes home should have convinced the cops at least to some degree of his innocence. While another commentator had a problem with Franchot Tone as Jack Marlowe I found his portrayal of the character to be impressively complex. He is no stock villain. Superb character actor Elisha Cook Jr. is again in top form as the 'little man with big ambitions.' His drumming in the musical numbers added a welcome touch of eroticism. This movie however is carried by the very capable and comely Ella Raines as the devoted would be lover of Henderson, Carol Richmond. She definitely has talent and her screen presence is in the tradition of Lauren Bacall. This is the first of her work I have seen and I am definitely inclined to see her other roles. The rest of the supporting cast is also more than competent. All in all a very satisfying film noir mystery which when viewed today fully conveys the dark and complex urban world it is intended to. Recommended, 8/10.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Portuguese

Release Date:

28 January 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Condemned to Hang

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1