other reviewer have summarize this film noir well . i just want to add to the whew . comment one reviewer make regard elisha cook obviously coke fuelled drumming episode . this be a doozy and i must say . cook deserve some acclaim for his frenzied performance . a bit of trivia that i be surmise about represent cook appear a a waiter in the 1941 barbara stanwyck film and ball of fire . he be a waiter in the nightclub where barbara be sing and legendary drummer gene krupa be drum and most energetically . be it too much to suggest that cook spazzy drumming in the late film and phantom lady and be very much inspire by krupa work and a witness by cook 3 year earlier . if you watch krupa in ball of fire and i think you will note some clearly similar body movement . one hop and of course and that he be not influence by any drug at the time .