The Phantom Shot

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The Phantom Shot
The Phantom Shot film Opening titles (1947).jpg
Directed by Mario Zampi
Written by Walter C. Mycroft
Produced byMario Zampi
Starring
Cinematography Bryan Langley
Edited by Giulio Zampi
Production
company
International Talking Pictures
Distributed byInternational Talking Pictures
Release date
  • 9 September 1947 (1947-09-09)
Running time
49 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Phantom Shot is a 1947 British second feature ('B') [1] mystery film directed by Mario Zampi and starring John Stuart, Olga Lindo and Howard Marion-Crawford. [2] It was written by Walter C. Mycroft and marked Zampi's return to filmmaking after he had been interned during the Second World War. [1]

Contents

Plot

The film uses the format of a "crime quiz". When Caleb Horder is found murdered, Inspector Webb investigates. The audience is invited to look for clues and deduce the identity of the murderer.

Cast

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This is a pleasant film. Though not outstanding, the interest is maintained to the end and the brain is made to work." [3]

Kine Weekly wrote: "The structure of the film is unorthodox as it takes the form of a crime film quiz in which the detective invites the aud)ience to assist in the reconstruction and solution of the crime. Although the action is largely static, being confined to the manor house in which the murder takes place, there is a suspenseful atmosphere of conflict and jealousy which, combined with a well-developed romantic thread and competent direction, assures strong mass appeal." [4]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Not great, but confidently made and a pleasant change." [5]

References

  1. 1 2 Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 34. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ↑ "The Phantom Shot". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  3. ↑ "The Phantom Shot". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 14 (157): 61. 1 January 1947. ProQuest   1305813751.
  4. ↑ "The Phantom Shot". Kine Weekly . 363 (2088): 28. 8 May 1947. ProQuest   2826317590.
  5. ↑ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 240. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.
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