Allene Ray was Pathe's premier serial queen of the 1920s but with the advent of sound her voice recorded in a high pitched tone so "The Phantom" was her last film. Her leading man was Guinn "Big Boy" Williams in a regular role as a reporter. This was before he became known for his roles as the hot headed sidekick of Errol Flynn.
"The Phantom" was due to go to the electric chair but he escapes in a daring scene that has him scaling the prison wall, jumping onto a moving train then climbing a ladder suspended from a plane. He vows to get revenge on DA Hampton, who, he believes, sent him to jail.
"The Phantom" plans to meet Hampton at his house at half past mid- night to make him a proposition (we never find out what that is)!!! Dick Mallory (Guinn Williams) also comes to the house to ask if he can marry Ruth (as you would at 12.30 at night)!!!! He is mistaken for "The Phantom".
Once the scene changes to Dr. Waldron's sanatorium - the sets become very striking, reminiscent of German Expressionist cinema. The maid and the chauffeur find themselves trapped in a Caligari like corridor. There are quite a few odd characters. A "phantom" dressed in a black cape eerily reminiscent of "The Cat and the Canary", a weird Karl Dane type with an umbrella. It is pretty scary. Allene Ray shows why she was a serial queen for many years - she is very good at looking fearful and frightened.
Niles Welch was the red herring. He looked very strange and suspicious, but ...I'd better not say.
I wouldn't say it's a great film but it is worth a look.
"The Phantom" was due to go to the electric chair but he escapes in a daring scene that has him scaling the prison wall, jumping onto a moving train then climbing a ladder suspended from a plane. He vows to get revenge on DA Hampton, who, he believes, sent him to jail.
"The Phantom" plans to meet Hampton at his house at half past mid- night to make him a proposition (we never find out what that is)!!! Dick Mallory (Guinn Williams) also comes to the house to ask if he can marry Ruth (as you would at 12.30 at night)!!!! He is mistaken for "The Phantom".
Once the scene changes to Dr. Waldron's sanatorium - the sets become very striking, reminiscent of German Expressionist cinema. The maid and the chauffeur find themselves trapped in a Caligari like corridor. There are quite a few odd characters. A "phantom" dressed in a black cape eerily reminiscent of "The Cat and the Canary", a weird Karl Dane type with an umbrella. It is pretty scary. Allene Ray shows why she was a serial queen for many years - she is very good at looking fearful and frightened.
Niles Welch was the red herring. He looked very strange and suspicious, but ...I'd better not say.
I wouldn't say it's a great film but it is worth a look.