Arrow Video has been noted for resurrecting forgotten genres
of films like giallo, spaghetti westerns and drive in classics. Now they’ve
begun going through the vaults and discovering classic movies that were more
likely than not the low budget opening of a double feature in the 30s and 40s
but were great movies none the less. THE PHANTOM LADY is a perfect example of
that.
Company owner and engineer Scott Henderson (Alan Curtis)
goes to a bar to bemoan his problems when his wife bows out on a night on the
town. With tickets in hand for a show and no one to join him, he invites a
woman in the bar next to him who seems just as down. Never getting her name
they part company when the show ends and he returns to his hotel to find two
police detectives waiting for him and his wife dead, strangled with one of his
ties.
Unable to find the woman he claims he was with a trial
proceeds and Henderson is now on death row. Only his faithful secretary Carol
Richman (Ella Raines), secretly in love with him, believes his innocence. She
follows the clues he left behind, trying to track down the elusive phantom
lady. Confronting the bartender she follows him, frightening him until he
attempts to dodge her and ends up hit by a truck.
With no leads left to follow all seems lost until Police
Inspector Burgess (Thomas Gomez), one of the detectives who arrested Henderson,
shows up and tells her he believes her story. Why? Because only a fool or an
innocent man would insist on the alibi Henderson gave. He points her in the
direction of a drummer named Cliff (Elisha Cook Jr.) in the show that Henderson
went to see, a show where the star gave the evil eye to the phantom lady who
was wearing an identical hat to hers.
Flirting with Cliff she accompanies him back to his place
where he brags about being paid $500 to frame Henderson. When he begins to
become suspicious she escapes his place and heads out to find Burgess. But
while gone the real murderer kills Cliff and another lead closes. But it does
leave the question as to who killed Cliff and why would he/she do so?
At only 87 minutes long no time is wasted in this film noir
that captures the suspense and mystery of a good whodunit. Everything is laid
out nice and neat and the clues left for those involved as well as the viewer
to follow as every attempt is made to rescue Henderson from certain death. The
noble woman in love with her boss, the real behind the scenes issues with his
wife and a murderer who isn’t revealed until late in the game make for an
entertaining movie.
The film was directed by Robert Siodmak who made a name for
himself with thrillers as well as several other classic film noir flicks like
THE KILLERS, THE SUSPECT and THE DARK MIRROR. He shows his impeccable skills
here in a movie no doubt given a miniscule budget but delivering the goods in
the end.
Arrow Video is making this a part of their Arrow Academy
movies, films that deserve notice and not to be forgotten. The film is offered
in 1080p from original film elements and looks great. Extras are nicely done
and include DARK AND DEADLY: 50 YEARS OF FILM NOIR an archival documentary, a
rare hour long 1944 radio dramatization of the same story, a gallery of stills
and promotional materials and reversible artwork including the original film
artwork.
I sing the praises of Arrow often and this is a perfect
example of why they deserve it. They’re saving films that might otherwise be
overlooked by mainstream corporate studios so that they’re not lost and can be
enjoyed once more. That deserves major kudos and support from film fans.
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