Phantom Lady

Phantom Lady tells the story of the quest of a woman to prove the innocence of the man she loves. Carol (Ella Raines), is the secretary of Scott Henderson (Alan Curtis), who has unjustly been convicted for the murder of his wife. Scott's only alibi is a mysterious woman he met at a jazz club, who he can only identify by her distinctive hat. Carol begins to haunt the clubs hoping to find the woman, but witnesses keep mysteriously dying. The ending as the true murderer is revealed is surprising. While the story is cliche ridden and predictable Phantom Lady established the reputation of its director Robert Siodmak as a master of the film noir genre. He and his brilliant cinematographer Woody Bredell rise above the somewhat routine story to use moody, dark shadows and sound to create his effects. His use of the sound of high heels clicking on pavement creates a sense of dread and desolation. Siodmak also uses his jazz score to give Ella Raines a wordless, fatal sexual allure. The film is a tour de force for Siodmak, who uses his roots in the German expressionism of the 20's and 30's to create a work completely American in its attitude and sensibilities.