The Spider (1945 film)
The Spider is a 1945 American crime film noir directed by Robert D. Webb and starring Richard Conte, Faye Marlowe, and Kurt Kreuger.[1]
| The Spider | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Robert D. Webb |
| Produced by | Ben Silvey |
| Screenplay by | Scott Darling Jo Eisinger Irving Cummings Jr. |
| Based on | play by Fulton Oursler Lowell Brentano |
| Starring | Richard Conte Faye Marlowe Kurt Kreuger |
| Music by | David Buttolph |
| Cinematography | Glen MacWilliams |
| Edited by | Norman Colbert |
| Distributed by | Twentieth Century-Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 63 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Premise
A private detective is pursued by both police and a mysterious killer.
Cast
- Richard Conte as Chris Conlon
- Faye Marlowe as Delilah 'Lila' Neilsen, alias Judith Smith
- Kurt Kreuger as Ernest, alias Garonne
- John Harvey as Burns
- Martin Kosleck as Mikail Barak
- Mantan Moreland as Henry
- Walter Sande as Det. Lt. Walter Castle
- Cara Williams as Wanda Vann, neighbor
- Charles Tannen as Det. Tonti
- Margaret Brayton as Jean, police records clerk
- Ann Savage as Florence Cain
- Harry Seymour as Ed, the Bartender
- Jean Del Val as Henri Dutrelle, hotel manager
- Odette Vigne as Mrs. Dutrelle
- Ruth Clifford As Mrs. Gillespie/Tenant
- James Flavin as Officer Johnny Tracy
Production
The film was based on a 1928 play which Fox had filmed in 1931. The project was announced in May 1945, and the original female star was meant to be Carole Landis alongside Conte.[2][3]
Critical reception
The Los Angeles Times said it "was not without fair interest".[4]
Film critic Dennis Schwartz gave the film a mixed review, writing, "Robert D. Webb directs a lackluster B-film noir from the play by Charles Fulton...The Spider was a poor remake of the 1931 film of the same title. It held very little suspense, and the plot was filled with gaping holes. But Richard Conte is a fine action actor, and gives this slight film noir story a little boost just by his presence."[5]
References
- Spider, The Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 13, Iss. 145, (Jan 1, 1946): 6.
- 'Tracy' Cast Gathers; Warners Seek 'Widow' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 24 May 1945: A2.
- SCREEN NEWS: Richard Conte and Carole Landis to Be Featured Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 24 May 1945: 16.
- Little Lou Seriocomic Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 21 Mar 1946: A3.
- Schwartz, Dennis. "Ozus' World Movie Reviews", film review, september 29, 2002. Last access: February 12, 2010.
External links
- The Spider at IMDb
- The Spider at AllMovie
- The Spider at the TCM Movie Database
- The Spider at Letterbox DVD
- The Spider at BFI