Ella Raines searches for the "Phantom Lady"

Phantom Lady (1944) is an American film noir directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Franchot Tone, Ella Rains, and Alan Curtis. This was Siodmak’s first film noir, a genre he would be closely identified with throughout his career. The film was produced by Joan Harrison (her first). She was the first female executive at Universal Pictures. Harrison started out in the film business as Alfred Hitchcock’s personal assistant. She would be closely related to Hitchcock professionally and personally for her entire career.

After an argument with his wife on their anniversary, Scott Henderson (Curtis) meets an unhappy woman at a bar in New York City. Scott convinces her to go to a stage show with him. The woman refuses to tell Scott anything about herself including her name. At the show, Scott notices that the leading lady, Estela Monteiro (Aurora) is wearing the same hat as his mystery date.

When Scott returns home, he is greeted by the police, including Inspector Burgess (Thomas Gomez). Scott’s wife was strangled to death with one of his ties. As the number one suspect in his wife’s murder, Scott is convicted and sentenced to death.

Carol Richman, (Raines) Scott’s loyal secretary tries to prove his innocence. Carol is secretly in love with Scott. She goes undercover trying to find the Phantom Lady and the real killer.

Will Carol get to the truth before it’s too late?

Fay Helm and Alan Curtis

Robert Siodmak (1900 – 1973) had a very successful career in Hollywood and is best known for his thrillers and films noir. He signed a seven-year contract with Universal and directed The Killers (1946), the film that made Ava Gardner a star. He worked with some top movie stars during Hollywood’s Golden Age, including Deanna Durbin, Gene Kelly, Burt Lancaster, Dorothy McGuire, Yvonne de Carlo, Olivia de Havilland, and Barbara Stanwyck. Often compared to Hitchcock in his prime, he never got the recognition that the Master of Suspense did, but most of his films hold up remarkably well and are worth watching.

Franchot Tone (1905 – 1968) was an American actor. He was a leading man in the 1930s and early 1940s. Tone was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Midshipman Roger Byram in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935). Tone was also a star on the Broadway stage and was a founding member of the Group Theatre. Tone signed with M-G-M in 1933 and was immediately cast in several pre-Code films including Today We Live (1933) with Gary Cooper and Joan Crawford, Midnight Mary (1933) with Loretta Young, and Bombshell (1933) with Jean Harlow. He starred with Harlow again in Suzy (1936) which also featured Cary Grant, billed below Tone who was the bigger star at the time. In 1935, Tone married Joan Crawford. They divorced in 1939; they made seven films together. As his film career declined, Tone continued to appear on stage and television. 

Thomas Gomez, Ella Raines, and Franchot Tone

Ella Raines (1920 – 1988) was born in Washington State where she studied drama at the University of Washington. Howard Hawks spotted her in a college production and signed her to a contract. Right out of the gate, she starred in some big movies, including Preston Sturges’s Hail the Conquering Hero and Tall in the Saddle (both 1944) where she shared equal billing with John Wayne. As her movie career declined in the 1950s, Raines worked in series television starring as Janet Dean, Registered Nurse (1954-55). She appeared on the cover of Life magazine twice, once in 1944 and in 1947.

Alan Curtis (1909 – 1953) was an American film actor. He began his career as a model before becoming an actor. His good looks brought him to the attention of Hollywood where he started appearing in films in the late 1930s. He had film roles in Hollywood Cavalcade (1939), High Sierra (1941), and Buck Privates (1941). One of his most prominent roles was in the film noir classic Phantom Lady (1944). Curtis starred as Philo Vance in two films in 1947. Although never a major star, Curtis worked in film until his untimely death in 1953. He was 43 years old.

Phantom Lady trivia

• Top-billed Franchot Tone doesn't show up until 45 minutes into the film.
• The Phantom Lady is referred to as Miss Terry (mystery).
• The date on the court stenographer's pad is August 6, 1943. August 6th is Ella Raine's birthday.
• This was the film debut of Victoria Horne (the woman who copied the hat).

To watch the film on YouTube, click the link below.

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Discussion questions

1. The year 1944 was a great year for film noir—Double Indemnity, Murder, My Sweet, Laura, Christmas Holiday, Gaslight, Ministry of Fear, and The Lodger. Christmas Holiday was directed by Robert Siodmak. How do you think Phantom Lady stacks up against these other classics?
2. What are some of the elements that make Phantom Lady a film noir?
3. Joan Harrison was the first female producer at Universal; do you think the film has a female point of view?
4. What did you think of the jam session with Elisha Cook Jr. on drums?
5. Did you have a favorite scene or piece of dialogue?
6. There was a notable piece of artwork in Franchot Tone's apartment-studio. Did you notice it?
7. Were you surprised by anything?