The Phantom Speaks
Cast & Crew
John English
Richard Arlen
Stanley Ridges
Lynne Roberts
Tom Powers
Charlotte Wynters
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Harvey Bogardus lures Frankie Teel, whom he suspects of having an affair with his wife, Betty Hanzel, to a park, then kills him. Upon leaving, Bogardus runs into Louis Fabian and his little daughter Mary and uses them as cover to flee the park. Shortly thereafter, Bogardus is arrested, tried, found guilty and sentenced to be executed. Globe newspaper reporter Matt Fraser is disgruntled at being assigned to cover the Bogardus execution, but his editor wants Matt to discover why Dr. Paul Renwick is meeting Bogardus one hour before his death. Matt is dating Renwick's daughter Joan, and the editor believes Matt can get an inside story. Reluctantly, Matt meets with Renwick, who explains his work in psychic science, the main theory of which is a belief that there is an immortal human energy or force that survives beyond death. Although Renwick's work is ridiculed, he tells Matt that he is near finding proof, yet is evasive about whether Bogardus is connected to his search. At their meeting just before the execution, Renwick asks the killer if he has read his book. Bogardus admits he has, but scoffs at Renwick's theory. Renwick tells him the soul has to have the will to continue after the body dies and that he believes that in Bogardus he has found the strongest will he has ever known. He is certain that Bogardus can prove his theory and return from the dead. Bogardus dismisses the doctor and goes to his death, declaring he was justified in committing murder and that he is not through yet. Following the execution, Renwick is consummed with thoughts of Bogardus and shuts himself in his office, where he tries summoning Bogardus. The spirit of the dead killer appears, but to Renwick's horror, Bogardus is uninterested in proving any of the doctor's theories and instead overpowers and takes mental possession of him. Unable to resist Bogardus' strong will, Renwick takes a gun and goes to attorney James J. Kennerley's office. Speaking in Bogardus's voice, Renwick accuses Kennerley of failing him at the trial and shoots him. When the police and Matt arrive to investigate, they discover the killing has been recorded by Kennerley's dictaphone and are puzzled by the strange voice and the fact that Kennerley called out Bogardus' name. Matt also finds a partially smoked cigarette that has been crumpled in half, a distinctive habit attributed to Bogardus. Back at the Renwick home, the doctor's assistant, Cornelia Willmont, is concerned over Renwick's strange behavior and inability to recall his recent activities. A little later, Renwick is again possessed by Bogardus and forced to find Betty and murder her. Matt is called to the crime scene and upon discovering another tell-tale cigarette, begins wondering about the doctor's increasingly odd behavior. He returns to the Renwicks and questions the doctor, but Cornelia covers Renwick's confusion by supplying him with an alibi. Renwick departs in a cab, intending to turn himself in to the police, but Bogardus again takes control of him. Still concerned about Renwick, Cornelia listens on the extension as Matt has the cab traced to the park and both she and Matt follow separately. Louis and Mary are at the park, but by the time Matt arrives, Louis is already dead, another victim of Bogardus' rage. Renwick stalks Mary, but is frightened away by Matt's approach, and as he comes to himself again, Cornelia finds him and takes him home. Bogardus tells Renwick he must murder Matt as he is getting too close to discovering the truth and then kill District Attorney Owen McAllister for pursuing Bogardus' case. In desperation, Renwick tries to commit suicide, but Bogardus' powerful will stops him. Cornelia realizes Renwick's dilemma and he makes her promise to tell McAllister everything regardless of what happens. Later that evening, Matt meets McAllister to warn him to avoid Renwick and offers to drive him to safety, but Renwick is hiding in the back seat with a gun. Matt swerves the car and he and McAllister overpower Renwick, who is later arrested, tried, found guilty and sentenced to death. As he is led to his execution, Renwick echoes Bogardus' last words as Matt and McAllister listen in horror.
Director
John English
Cast
Richard Arlen
Stanley Ridges
Lynne Roberts
Tom Powers
Charlotte Wynters
Jonathan Hale
Pierre Watkin
Marian Martin
Garry Owen
Ralf Harolde
Doreen Mccann
Joseph Granby
Frank Fanning
Eddie Parker
Jack Perrin
Charles Sullivan
Robert Homans
Tom Chatterton
Ed Cassidy
Edmund Cobb
Nolan Leary
Bob Alden
Jack Ingram
Robert Malcolm
Walter Shumway
Crew
Frank Arrigo
William Bradford
Donald H. Brown
John K. Butler
Richard Cherwin
Earl Crain Sr.
John Grubbs
Russell Kimball
Howard Lydecker
Theodore Lydecker
George Milo
Joseph Novak
Adele Palmer
Arthur Roberts
Armand Schaefer
Gordon C. Schaefer
John Stransky Jr.
Howard Wilson
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The film was released at a 68 minute running time, but the print viewed was 54 minutes. It does not appear the missing footage disrupted the narrative significantly.
