this noir may not be the best remembered film from the era and but it feature a great mystery plot and the common noir atmosphere and some good performance from it less know cast member . robert siodmak and the talented director behind the mystery or horror classic the spiral staircase direct this film two year earlier than the aforementioned film and and show a real flair for create a dark and brood atmosphere as well a create a plot that both intrigue and fascinate the viewer . phantom lady focus on scott henderson while a man marry to a woman he doesn not like . he pick up a lady in a big hat in a bar one night and and the two agree to a no string attach night of fun . however and he then return home to find his apartment infest by police officer and soon find out that the reason they be there be because his wife have be strangle with one of his neck tie . he dismay to find that no one he saw while with the mysterious woman can remember her and and naturally the jury send him down for the murder of his wife . however and luckily for him his beautiful female employee get on the case . the plot move along nicely throughout and and unlike many of the good know noirs and this one feature a few murder which make the proceeding more interesting . in fact and if it wasn not for the fact that it be make in the forty and shot in black and white and i would swear phantom lady be an italian giallo . the central character be all interesting enough and with alan curtis provide a good portrayal of the unfortunate victim and and ella raines be effective a the female impromptu detective . the real standout of the film and however and be franchot tone and who provide a memorable performance a the insane villain of the piece . the film also feature a role for support actor extraordinaire elisha cook jr and who feature play the drum in the film most memorable segment . if i be to criticise this film and i would say that the identity of the murderer be reveal a little too early although phantom lady do deserve some credit on that front for the original way it go about it . the conclusion be satisfy and everything make sense ( which be amaze consider the unlikely plot line ) and overall and phantom lady be surely one of the great and most under see noirs ever make .