The Phantom Speaks

The Phantom Speaks is a 1945 American supernatural film noir directed by John English and written by John K. Butler. The film stars Richard Arlen, Stanley Ridges, Lynne Roberts, Tom Powers, Charlotte Wynters and Jonathan Hale. The film was released on May 10, 1945, by Republic Pictures.[1][2][3]

The Phantom Speaks
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJohn English
Produced byDonald H. Brown
Screenplay byJohn K. Butler
StarringRichard Arlen
Stanley Ridges
Lynne Roberts
Tom Powers
Charlotte Wynters
Jonathan Hale
Music byEdward H. Plumb
CinematographyWilliam Bradford
Edited byArthur Roberts
Production
company
Distributed byRepublic Pictures
Release date
  • May 10, 1945 (1945-05-10)
Running time
69 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Harvey Bogardus kills a man whom he thinks is having an affair with his wife. After he's sentenced to the electric chair, reporter Matt Fraser is assigned to speak with Dr. Renwick, who is interviewing Bogardus. Matt is dating Renwick's daughter, and agrees. Renwick has a theory that strong-willed souls can survive death, and that Bogardus will do just that. Bogardus is executed. That night, Bogardus' spirit appears and takes over Renwick's mind. "Renwick" shoots and kills the attorney who represented him at trial, accusing him of incompetence. Matt and the police discover that the attorney was using his dictaphone at the time of his death, and Bogardus' voice is on the machine.

The possessd Renwick then kills Bogardus' wife. Renwick, realizing he has large amounts of time he cannot account for, tries to turn himself in but Bogardus once more possesses him. "Renwick" now kills a man who was an eyewitness to Bogardus' crime. Bogardus wants Renwick to kill Matt as well as District Attorney Owen McAllister. Renwick tries to commit suicide, but Bogardus stops him. Matt, thinking Renwick is killing people, goes to McAllister's home to warn him. Matt and McAllister flee in Matt's car, but the possessed Renwick is in the back seat. Matt saves the day, and Renwick is convicted of murder and sentenced to the electric chair.

As Renwick walks to the death chamber, he's still possessed by Bogardus. He speaks in Bogardus' voice, and utters the same last words Bogardus did before his execution. Matt and McAllister, the only witnesses to Bogardus' execution, realize in horror what has happened.

Cast

References
  1. "The Phantom Speaks (1945) - Overview". TCM.com. April 13, 1945. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  2. "The-Phantom-Speaks - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes". NYTimes.com. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  3. "The Phantom Speaks". Afi.com. Retrieved November 14, 2015.


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