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Phantom Lady

  • 19441944
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
5K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Alan Curtis, Aurora Miranda, Ella Raines, and Franchot Tone in 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.
Play trailer1:34
1 Video
94 Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Film-Noir
A devoted secretary risks her life to try to find the elusive woman who may prove her boss didn't murder his selfish wife.A devoted secretary risks her life to try to find the elusive woman who may prove her boss didn't murder his selfish wife.A devoted secretary risks her life to try to find the elusive woman who may prove her boss didn't murder his selfish wife.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Robert Siodmak
  • Writers
    • Bernard C. Schoenfeld(screenplay)
    • Cornell Woolrich(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Franchot Tone
    • Ella Raines
    • Alan Curtis
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Siodmak
  • Writers
    • Bernard C. Schoenfeld(screenplay)
    • Cornell Woolrich(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Franchot Tone
    • Ella Raines
    • Alan Curtis
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 81User reviews
    • 55Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:34
    Trailer

    Photos94

    Elisha Cook Jr. in Phantom Lady (1944)
    Thomas Gomez, Ella Raines, and Franchot Tone in Phantom Lady (1944)
    Elisha Cook Jr. and Ella Raines in Phantom Lady (1944)
    Alan Curtis and Ella Raines in Phantom Lady (1944)
    Ella Raines, Robert Siodmak, and Franchot Tone in Phantom Lady (1944)
    Alan Curtis and Ella Raines in Phantom Lady (1944)
    Ella Raines and Andrew Tombes in Phantom Lady (1944)
    Ella Raines and Franchot Tone in Phantom Lady (1944)
    Alan Curtis, Ella Raines, and Franchot Tone in Phantom Lady (1944)
    Ella Raines and Franchot Tone in Phantom Lady (1944)
    Alan Curtis and Ella Raines in Phantom Lady (1944)
    Ella Raines in Phantom Lady (1944)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Franchot Tone
    Franchot Tone
    • John 'Jack' Marlowas John 'Jack' Marlow
    Ella Raines
    Ella Raines
    • Carol Richmanas Carol Richman
    Alan Curtis
    Alan Curtis
    • Scott Hendersonas Scott Henderson
    Aurora Miranda
    Aurora Miranda
    • Estela Monteiroas Estela Monteiro
    Thomas Gomez
    Thomas Gomez
    • Inspector Burgessas Inspector Burgess
    Fay Helm
    Fay Helm
    • Ann Terryas Ann Terry
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    • Cliffas Cliff
    Andrew Tombes
    Andrew Tombes
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    Regis Toomey
    Regis Toomey
    • Detectiveas Detective
    Joseph Crehan
    Joseph Crehan
    • Detectiveas Detective
    Doris Lloyd
    Doris Lloyd
    • Kettishaas Kettisha
    Virginia Brissac
    Virginia Brissac
    • Dr. Chaseas Dr. Chase
    Milburn Stone
    Milburn Stone
    • District Attorneyas District Attorney
    • (voice)
    Harry Adams
    • Courtroom Spectatoras Courtroom Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Bain
    Robert Bain
    • Guitaristas Guitarist
    • (uncredited)
    Joan Bayley
    • Danceras Dancer
    • (uncredited)
    Brandon Beach
    • Theatre Party Guestas Theatre Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Brooks Benedict
    Brooks Benedict
    • Theatre Party Guestas Theatre Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Robert Siodmak
    • Writers
      • Bernard C. Schoenfeld(screenplay)
      • Cornell Woolrich(based on the novel by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although Franchot Tone is given top billing in this film, he does not appear for the first 45 minutes.
    • Goofs
      During an overhead shot in the sequence where Kansas trails the bartender through a deserted street after he gets off work, the actors are clearly connected waist-to-waist by a thin wire - most likely so that the actress stayed an exact number of feet behind the actor to ensure both were in focus during what was apparently a tricky camera set-up.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Scott Henderson: [Carol 'Kansas' Richman listens to a message left on a Dictaphone machine] Hello, Kansas. Renew my membership to the Architects and Engineers Association and call Mason and Follett, the contractors, and make an appointment with them for tomorrow morning.

      [Carol begins to hang up the Dictaphone's sound tube]

      Scott Henderson: Uh, uh, uh, don't hang up. You know you're having dinner with me tonight, and tomorrow night, and the next night, and then every night

      [the Dictaphone skips and repeats end of message]

      Scott Henderson: ... every night... every night... every night.

    • Connections
      Featured in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: A Night at the Movies (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      I'll Remember April
      (uncredited)

      Music by Gene de Paul

      Lyrics by Patricia Johnston & Don Raye

      [played during opening credits and throughout the movie]

    User reviews81

    Review
    Top review
    The most suggestive 'sex scene' in '40s films.
    Film students and fans of film noir always hear about PHANTOM LADY and now that I've seen it I'm inclined to report that it's overrated. Though the premise is initially intriguing, it quickly accumulates so many plot holes that you instantly figure out who the murderer is. But this is an exercise in style, not content. Director Robert Siodmak saved the film by giving visual distinction to a poor script.

    His training in the German Expressionist style makes for very striking images thoughout despite the low budget: dramatic contrasts between light and dark with simple, strong lighting effects never fail to provide interest and tension. And he goes a long way in suggesting the ethnic and racial mix of New York City in 1944 by his offbeat choice of extras and supporting players, most of whom are not the types you see in movies of the time. And the set of sculptor Franchot Tone's apartment complete with furniture and busts would be the envy of many a Soho or Tribeca resident in 2004.

    In the lead, Ella Raines looks rather like a poor man's Gene Tierney. She is attractive and likable and you have no trouble maintaining interest in her, but she doesn't have much acting range, at least at this point in her career. Franchot Tone does a very professional job in an impossibly sketchy and ludicrous part, and Thomas Gomez is okay as the detective. As the wronged man, Alan Curtis provides his own visual interest via a strong jaw and broad shoulders, and an occasional hint of surliness makes his character more interesting.

    But as others have indicated here, the single most surprising and effective scene is one where horny drummer Elisha Cook, Jr. takes Ella Raines to an after hours dive to show her what he's made of. Equating jazz and especially drumming with hot sex, Siodmak cross cuts between Cook's orgasmic frenzy at the drums (complete with a closeup insert of his crotch) with Ella seemingly transported as well, giving him the come-on, urging him to climax. It's the most overtly sexual scene I've ever seen in a '40s film and it's one you shouldn't miss.
    helpful•55
    18
    • tjonasgreen
    • Apr 4, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 28, 1944 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Portuguese
    • Also known as
      • Condemned to Hang
    • Filming locations
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 27 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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