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Phantom Lady

Phantom Lady

Mystery · Thriller · Crime · 1944

A devoted secretary embarks on a dangerous mission to try to find the elusive woman who may prove her boss didn't murder his wife.

Movie details

Phantom Lady

“A Night He Couldn't Forget With a Woman He Couldn't Remember.”

1944 Mystery · Thriller · Crime 1h 27m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.0 / 10

Community rating

A devoted secretary embarks on a dangerous mission to try to find the elusive woman who may prove her boss didn't murder his wife.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Phantom Lady?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

This Gun for Hire

This Gun for Hire

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The Naked City

The Naked City

Crime · 1948

After a former model is drowned in her bathtub, Detective James Halloran and Lieutenant Dan Muldoon attempt to piece together her murder.

Woman on the Run

Woman on the Run

Thriller · 1950

Frank Johnson, a sole witness to a gangland murder, goes into hiding and is trailed by Police Inspector Ferris, on the theory that Frank is trying to escape from possible retaliation. Frank's wife, Eleanor, suspects he is actually running away from their unsuccessful marriage. Aided by a newspaperman, Danny Leggett, Eleanor sets out to locate her husband. The killer is also looking for him, and keeps close tabs on Eleanor.

The Glass Key

The Glass Key

Crime · 1942

A crooked politician finds himself being accused of murder by a gangster from whom he refused help during a re-election campaign.

The Seven-Ups

The Seven-Ups

Thriller · 1973

A tough detective who is part of an elite New York City unit is trying to find out who killed his partner, but uncovers a plot to kidnap mobsters for money.

A Shot in the Dark

A Shot in the Dark

Comedy · 1964

Inspector Jacques Clouseau, smitten with the accused maid Maria Gambrelli, unwittingly turns a straightforward murder investigation into a comedic series of mishaps, testing the patience of his irritable boss Charles Dreyfus as casualties mount.

Closed Circuit

Closed Circuit

Mystery · 2013

A high-profile terrorism case unexpectedly binds together two ex-lovers on the defense team - testing the limits of their loyalties and placing their lives in jeopardy.

Nightfall

Nightfall

Crime · 1956

An innocent man turns fugitive as he reconstructs events that implicate him for a murder and robbery he did not commit.

Killer's Kiss

Killer's Kiss

Thriller · 1955

Davey Gordon, a New York City boxer at the end of his career, falls for dancer Gloria Price. However, their budding relationship is interrupted by Gloria's violent boss, Vincent Rapallo, who has eyes for Gloria. The two decide to skip town, but before they can, Vincent and his thugs abduct Gloria, and Davey is forced to search for her among the most squalid corners of the city, with his enemy hiding in the shadows.

Hollow Triumph

Hollow Triumph

Thriller · 1948

Pursued by the big-time gambler he robbed, John Muller assumes a new identity—with unfortunate results.

Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Robert Siodmak

Written by

Bernard C. Schoenfeld

Franchot Tone

Franchot Tone

John 'Jack' Marlow

Ella Raines

Ella Raines

Carol 'Kansas' Richman

Alan Curtis

Alan Curtis

Scott Henderson

Aurora Miranda

Aurora Miranda

Estela Monteiro

Thomas Gomez

Thomas Gomez

Inspector Burgess

Fay Helm

Fay Helm

Ann Terry

Elisha Cook Jr.

Elisha Cook Jr.

Cliff Milburn

Court is in session

Put Phantom Lady on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.