The Spider (1945 film)

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	December 1945 (United States);
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.[1]

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]

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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

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[1] Spider, The Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 13, Iss. 145, (Jan 1, 1946): 6.

[2] 'Tracy' Cast Gathers; Warners Seek 'Widow' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 24 May 1945: A2.

[3] SCREEN NEWS: Richard Conte and Carole Landis to Be Featured Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 24 May 1945: 16.

[4] Little Lou Seriocomic Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 21 Mar 1946: A3.

[5] Schwartz, Dennis. "Ozus' World Movie Reviews", film review, september 29, 2002. Last access: February 12, 2010.