Thursday 4 May 2017

The Leopard Man (1943 Jacques Tourneur)

Based on the 1942 novel 'Black Alibi' by Cornell Woolrich (Phantom Lady, The Window, The Chase, Rear Window), Lewton's third RKO horror, written by Ardel Wray (with Edward Dein).

Typically atmospheric, with great tense scenes - notably the one at night under a railway bridge. It's edited by Mark Robson (he then went on to direct the next one) and shot by Robert de Grasse. (Roy Webb wrote the music for the entire series).

Good, weird themes (victims are all innocent women / lead Dennis O'Keefe is - like Woolrich - a tough nut on the outside only), exotic settings and background (Spanish procession of atonement), fabulous touches (the unsympathetic mother essentially kills her own daughter by not letting her in).



I so love these films. Now want to watch the entire series.

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