The Spider is a 1945 American crime film noir directed by Robert D. Webb and starring Richard Conte, Faye Marlowe, and Kurt Kreuger.Spider, The Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 13, Iss. 145, (Jan 1, 1946): 6.
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.'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.
Critical reception The Los Angeles Times said it "was not without fair interest".Little Lou Seriocomic Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 21 Mar 1946: A3.
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."Schwartz, Dennis. "Ozus' World Movie Reviews", film review, september 29, 2002. Last access: February 12, 2010.
References
External links
The Spider at Letterbox DVD The Spider at BFI