Scanialara You won't be disappointed!

ThiefHott Too much of everything

Bea Swanson This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Tyreece Hulme One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

bensonmum2 Tony Woolrish (Dave O'Brien) is a theater critic thrust into the role of crime reporter. At first he resists, but as the bodies pile up, he realizes the theater is the common thread behind a series of murders. With the help of his trusted cab-driving friend Romeo (Frank Jenks), he sets out to unmask a killer.Recently, I've watched a good number of low-budget mysteries from the 30s and 40s. The Phantom of 42nd Street is easily (and it's not even close) the worst of the bunch. While there are a few elements of the plot that appealed to me, the movie has way too many problems. The direction is terribly uninspired, leading to an overall dull movie. The sets have that cheap look I associate with the worst of the Poverty Row films. Lighting is non-existent. The acting is hit or miss at best. O'Brien is actually pretty good in the lead role. But at the other end of the acting spectrum, Edythe Elliott gives one of the worst performances I've seen lately. Her delivery is just so stilted and unnatural. Finally, I have an issue with the movie's finale. Agreeing with another comment on IMDb, I've gone back and watched the ending twice and I still can't tell you whodunit. It's a very poor ending to a very unappealing movie. A 3/10 from me.

MikeMagi After watching this poverty row mystery -- and re-running the climactic scene three or four times -- there's no need for a spoiler alert. I still have no idea who committed the murders nor why. Which sorta' takes the wind out of watching Dave O'Brien as the drama critic for the New York Record playing amateur sleuth, probing the slayings that are decimating the cast of a New York repertory theater. Then again, why was the film called "Phantom of 42nd Street" when live theater had long given way to grind movie houses on 42 Street by the time it was made in the 1940s? That's easy. While "Phantom of 47th Street Between Seventh and Eighth Avenues" would have been more accurate, it wouldn't have had nearly the cache. And fitting it on marquees -- especially at theaters that played PRC releases -- would have been a challenge.

MartinHafer My score of 4 might just be a bit generous to this ultra-low budget film from PRC--one of the worst of the so-called 'Poverty Row studios'--so named because of their very, very low production values. Much of the acting is very, very rough as is some of the dialog. A bit more polish and some better supporting actors would have helped this one a lot--especially since the actors often flubbed the delivery of their lines. As a result, it often seemed pretty amateurish. This is sad because the basic story idea is pretty nifty for a B-mystery and Dave O'Brien (a total unknown) did great in the lead. As a result of appearing in films like this, you can see why he never became a household name.The story finds O'Brien a theater critic for the local newspaper. Oddly, following a particularly dreary show, one of the theater company members is found dead--murdered! While O'Brien is NOT a crime reporter, his short-tempered boss insists that he investigate further. In typical 1940s fashion, the hero reporter suddenly becomes a private detective--something I assume happened all the time back then!! And, after some clever digging and a few wild guesses, he has an angle on the killer--too bad the stupid police (big surprise) have already arrested the wrong man! Overall, despite some bad acting and writing, the basic story works and the film is an enjoyable little B-movie. While it won't change your life, it is worth a look if you love Bs. Otherwise, you can skip this one and not be missing out on much.

wes-connors "The death of a performer at a Broadway stage play brings a theatre critic and a police detective together as an unlikely crime-solving duo. The dead performer's niece becomes not only the object of affection for our critic, but also a prime suspect in this death, and some other murders that occur at the theatre. 'The Phantom Killer' sets his sights upon the young woman as his next victim; so, it is a race against time for our heroes to catch the killer," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.Milton Raison's screenplay puts a little spark in this low-budget mystery whodunit. Helpfully, Dave O'Brien (as Anthony "Tony" Woolrich) does well in the lead role; his skills as an actor appear to be much greater than the productions employing him. O'Brien and cab driving sidekick Frank Jenks (as Egbert "Romeo" Egglehoffer) would have made a fine 1950s TV detective team. Leading lady Kay Aldridge (as Claudia Moore) and the supporting cast are also good. Unfortunately, the story becomes meandering, and anti-climactic.**** The Phantom of 42nd Street (5/2/45) Albert Herman ~ Dave O'Brien, Kay Aldridge, Frank Jenks