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Robert Siodmak’s first film noir is a visually expressive masterpiece in the lush romantic tradition that imposes a dreamlike mood on a nightmarish story. Ella Raines goes to extreme lengths to break the conspiracy that’s sending her boss to Death Row, aided by the Kafka-like indifference of modern Manhattanites. Franchot Tone is the man with the weird hands, but Woody Bredell’s chiaroscuro cinematography is what puts this proto-feminist tale in the top tier.

Phantom Lady

Blu-ray

Arrow Academy

1944 / B&W / 1:37 Academy / 87 min. / Street Date March 5, 2019 / Available from Arrow Video / 39.95

Starring: Franchot Tone, Ella Raines, Alan Curtis, Aurora Miranda, Thomas Gomez, Fay Helm, Elisha Cook Jr., Andrew Tombes, Regis Toomey, Joseph Crehan, Doris Lloyd, Virginia Brissac, Milburn Stone.

Cinematography: Woody Bredell

Film Editor: Arthur Hilton

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

Produced by Joan Harrison

Directed by Robert Siodmak

1944’s...

Phantom Lady

Written by Bernard C. Schoenfeld

Directed by Robert Siodmak

U.S.A., 1944

Scott Henderson (Alan Curtis), owner of a small engineering company in New York, is already experiencing a poor evening as he enters a neighborhood bar and grill. His luck with an unknown woman has proven sour, the latter having stood him up. Stuck with a pair of tickets to a musical, he invites a lavishly dressed if visibly unhappy looking stranger (Fay Helm) to accompany him. The evening goes well enough although Scott’s lady companion, reserved and nervous, never shares her name before leaving for the night. Scott returns home to find the police, led by inspector Burgess (Thomas Gomez), who accuse him of murdering his wife, whose body lies stone cold in the bedroom. Unable to produce his strongest alibi, the ‘phantom lady’ with the exotic hat, it is up to Scott’s personal...

Bette Davis movies: TCM schedule on August 14 (photo: Bette Davis in ‘Dangerous,’ with Franchot Tone) See previous post: “Bette Davis Eyes: They’re Watching You Tonight.” 3:00 Am Parachute Jumper (1933). Director: Alfred E. Green. Cast: Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Bette Davis, Frank McHugh, Claire Dodd, Harold Huber, Leo Carrillo, Thomas E. Jackson, Lyle Talbot, Leon Ames, Stanley Blystone, Reginald Barlow, George Chandler, Walter Brennan, Pat O’Malley, Paul Panzer, Nat Pendleton, Dewey Robinson, Tom Wilson, Sheila Terry. Bw-72 mins. 4:30 Am The Girl From 10th Avenue (1935). Director: Alfred E. Green. Cast: Bette Davis, Ian Hunter, Colin Clive, Alison Skipworth, John Eldredge, Phillip Reed, Katharine Alexander, Helen Jerome Eddy, Bill Elliott, Edward McWade, André Cheron, Wedgwood Nowell, John Quillan, Mary Treen. Bw-69 mins. 6:00 Am Dangerous (1935). Director: Alfred E. Green. Cast: Bette Davis, Franchot Tone, Margaret Lindsay, Alison Skipworth, John Eldredge, Dick Foran, Walter Walker, Richard Carle, George Irving, Pierre Watkin, Douglas Wood,...