Classics and Forgotten Films: Midnight Phantom (1935)

Directed by: Bernard B. Ray
Written by: John T. Neville (Credited as Jack Neville)
Cinematography by: Pliny Goodfriend
Edited by: Arthur Hilton
Date released: 27 November 1935
Production Company: Reliable Pictures Corporation

A newly-hired police chief is slain in a line-up room and the murder suspects are many; most of them are from the police department. When a police surgeon is also murdered the investigation becomes more intense.

It's a poorly made movie, even for 1935. Very low budget with some classic editing mistakes. An example is when we hear the director in a scene featuring James Farley's character in his office berating one of his policemen. Some of the actors were known for much better work, especially Reginald Denny who struggles to make his character believable with a bad script. Many of the actors made films during the silent era and their careers were in decline.

Starring

Reginald Denny as Prof. David Graham

Lloyd Hughes as Lieut. Dan Burke

Lloyd Hughes was a veteran of silent cinema having appeared in over 50 feature films before the arrival of sound.

Claudia Dell as Diana Sullivan (The opening credits incorrectly say 'Diane')