| The Spider | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Robert D. Webb |
| Screenplay by | Scott Darling Jo Eisinger Irving Cummings Jr. |
| Based on | play by Fulton Oursler Lowell Brentano |
| Produced by | Ben Silvey |
| Starring | Richard Conte Faye Marlowe Kurt Kreuger |
| Cinematography | Glen MacWilliams |
| Edited by | Norman Colbert |
| Music by | David Buttolph |
| Distributed by | Twentieth Century-Fox |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 63 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Spider is a 1945 American crime film noir directed by Robert D. Webb and starring Richard Conte, Faye Marlowe, and Kurt Kreuger.
Plot
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.
Critical reception
The Los Angeles Times said it "was not without fair interest".
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."
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 the TCM Movie Database
- The Spider at Letterbox DVD
- The Spider at BFI
| Films directed by Robert D. Webb | |
|---|---|
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- 1945 films
- 1945 crime drama films
- 20th Century Fox films
- American black-and-white films
- American crime drama films
- Film noir
- Films directed by Robert D. Webb
- Films scored by David Buttolph
- Films set in Louisiana
- 1940s English-language films
- 1940s American films
- English-language crime drama films
- 1940s crime drama film stubs
- 1940s American film stubs