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The Spider (1945 film)

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The Spider
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRobert D. Webb
Screenplay byScott Darling
Jo Eisinger
Irving Cummings Jr.
Based onplay by Fulton Oursler
Lowell Brentano
Produced byBen Silvey
StarringRichard Conte
Faye Marlowe
Kurt Kreuger
CinematographyGlen MacWilliams
Edited byNorman Colbert
Music byDavid Buttolph
Distributed byTwentieth Century-Fox
Release date
  • December 1945 (1945-12) (United States)
Running time
63 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Spider is a 1945 American crime film noir directed by Robert D. Webb and starring Richard Conte, Faye Marlowe, and Kurt Kreuger.[1]

Plot

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A private detective is pursued by both police and a mysterious killer.

Cast

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Production

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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

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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]

References

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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.
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