Although Franchot Tone does not appear in the film for the first half he rates top billing in Phantom Lady. I'm sure that when he signed for this film he saw he would be playing a part that was different than the roles he got a MGM for the most part.
Ella Raines is the one that carries this film. Her boss and Tone's partner Alan Curtis has been arrested for his wife's murder. She was no loss, from what we learn of her she was cheating right and left. Still murder is murder.
And Curtis's problem is the woman he picked up that night has vanished. She's his alibi witness. Like she was a Phantom Lady.
Even after the conviction Raines is determined to find this woman and she even has an ally in police detective Thomas Gomez who has never felt right about the case.
There's not much suspense and there sure is no mystery here because it isn't hard to figure out and the murderer is identified with 60% of the film done. The suspense is whether Raines can put it together and realize the danger she's walking into.
Besides those already mentioned look for good performances from Elisha Cook, Jr. as a hop head drummer, Aurora Miranda, Carmen's sister playing a Carmen Miranda like entertainer. In fact her outrageous hat like the ones her sister wore is an integral part of the mystery for Raines. Finally there is a really touching performance from Fay Helm in the title role. There is a sad reason why she has seemingly disappeared.
Between this one and Tall In The Saddle with John Wayne I think are Ella Raines's career roles. Both are very good.
Ella Raines is the one that carries this film. Her boss and Tone's partner Alan Curtis has been arrested for his wife's murder. She was no loss, from what we learn of her she was cheating right and left. Still murder is murder.
And Curtis's problem is the woman he picked up that night has vanished. She's his alibi witness. Like she was a Phantom Lady.
Even after the conviction Raines is determined to find this woman and she even has an ally in police detective Thomas Gomez who has never felt right about the case.
There's not much suspense and there sure is no mystery here because it isn't hard to figure out and the murderer is identified with 60% of the film done. The suspense is whether Raines can put it together and realize the danger she's walking into.
Besides those already mentioned look for good performances from Elisha Cook, Jr. as a hop head drummer, Aurora Miranda, Carmen's sister playing a Carmen Miranda like entertainer. In fact her outrageous hat like the ones her sister wore is an integral part of the mystery for Raines. Finally there is a really touching performance from Fay Helm in the title role. There is a sad reason why she has seemingly disappeared.
Between this one and Tall In The Saddle with John Wayne I think are Ella Raines's career roles. Both are very good.