Phantom Lady (film)

Phantom Lady is a 1944 film noir directed by Robert Siodmak, his first Hollywood noir. It was also a first for producer Joan Harrison, Universal Pictures first female executive, who was Alfred Hitchcocks former screenwriter and went on to produce his TV show Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The film was based on the novel of the same name which was published under the pseudonym William Irish.

Carol Richman Ella Raines, a loyal secretary secretly in love with her boss, sets out to exonerate him. She starts with the bartender. She sits in the bar night after night, staring at and unnerving him. Finally, she follows him home one night. When he confronts her on the street, some bystanders step in to restrain him. He breaks free, runs into the street and is run over. Later, Burgess offers to help unofficially he has become convinced that only a fool or an innocent man would have stuck to such a weak alibi. Burgess provides her with information about the drummer at the show, Cliff Elisha Cook, Jr., who had tried to make eye contact with the mystery lady. Richman dresses gaudily and goes to the show. Rhythmic intercutting between Cliffs frantic drumming dubbed by Gene Krupa or possibly Dave Coleman as per IMDb and the leering responses of Richman leads to them going back to his apartment. Somewhat drunk, he brags that he was paid 500 for his false testimony. However, he becomes suspicious and finds a piece of paper with details about him. Richman manages to escape, leaving her purse behind. After she has gone, the real murderer, Hendersons best friend Jack Marlow Franchot Tone, shows up at the apartment and strangles Cliff.Marlow, supposedly away on a job in South America, pretends to return to help Richman. She tracks down Monteiros hatmaker, Kettisha Doris Lloyd. One of her employees admits to copying the hat for a regular customer and provides her name and address. With Burgess away on another case, Richman and Marlow go to see Ann Terry Fay Helm. They discover her under the care of Dr. Chase Virginia Brissac the man she was to marry had died suddenly, leaving her emotionally devastated. Richman is unable to get any information from her, but does find the hat. Marlow suggests they wait for Burgess at his apartment. However, while she is freshening up, Richman finds her purse and the paper with Cliffs particulars in a dresser drawer. Marlow admits he became

Source: Wikipedia