PHANTOM LADY (1944)

After working as a secretary, assistant, and screenwriter for Alfred Hitchcock, Joan Harrison broke out to become one of Hollywood’s first female producers of the sound era with this classic film noir. She convinced Universal Pictures to pick up the rights to Cornell Woolrich’s novel and assign the German-born Robert Siodmak as director. Together, they produced a tight, visceral suspense film. She also bonded with leading lady Ella Raines, another independent woman. Raines stars as the faithful secretary who sets out to prove her boss didn’t murder his wife. All she has to do is track down a mystery woman who can give him an alibi. That means posing as a prostitute, romancing a drug addict (a memorable Elisha Cook, Jr.) and facing down a serial killer. The film’s success benefitted both producer and director, and neither would stray far from the world of noir.

d. Robert Siodmak, 89m, 35mm

35mm print courtesy of Universal Pictures.