The Leopard Man is a Tourneur/Lewton collaboration from RKO, adapted from the book Black Alibi by Cornell Woolrich (the most prolifically adapted crime writer of his time). It was made on a budget of $150,000 and is thus quite short- running only 66 minutes. It's notable for being one of the first serial killer films.
Everything starts when a show producer rents a leopard from a local sideshow act in order to boost the entertainment value of his production. When one of his performers walks on stage with the cat on a leash...it gets spooked by the crowed and runs off.
With the cat on the loose, the whole town goes into a panic and is afraid to leave their homes. One adolescent girl, however, is sent by her mother to fetch a bag of cornmeal. Unfortunately, fate crosses her path with the leopard- who gets spooked by a train and attacks her.
A short while later, a young woman goes to rendezvous with her lover in the local cemetery, only to be attacked and killed by what seems to have been a leopard as well.
The producer isn't so certain this time around though. Things just don't add up. So he goes to speak with the cat's owner- who concurs with his speculation. They think a man is responsible for this...and that the leopard is being framed.
However, the local museum curator- Galbraith- fashions himself an expert, and remains adamant the leopard is to blame (convincing the police). Despite the protests put forth by the producer and owner of the cat.
Ironically, it's the murder of the leopard that helps them conclude and confront the killer for who he really is.
There's an odd sense of moralism spun into this film- but i couldn't tell if this was included for indoctrination purposes; or whether the filmmakers were subtly trying to undermine something they were forced to include. A couple examples being: the warning from the young girls mother, before she wanders off to the cemetery (and get's killed for it). And the producers admission that he has met some sketchy individuals in and around night clubs and bars.
Other than that, with it's short runtime it manages to keep you engaged in the mystery throughout- making it an entertaining little picture.
It's not terribly scary or anything, but there are some moments of tension. The best part about this film are it's transitions from plot element to plot element. It has a really nice flow.
I suppose it's also pertinent to note the misleading trailer- which made it seem like the killer was going to be some sort of leopard-man hybrid. It's not.
While not the most memorable film or anything, it's entertaining enough.
6 out of 10
Everything starts when a show producer rents a leopard from a local sideshow act in order to boost the entertainment value of his production. When one of his performers walks on stage with the cat on a leash...it gets spooked by the crowed and runs off.
With the cat on the loose, the whole town goes into a panic and is afraid to leave their homes. One adolescent girl, however, is sent by her mother to fetch a bag of cornmeal. Unfortunately, fate crosses her path with the leopard- who gets spooked by a train and attacks her.
A short while later, a young woman goes to rendezvous with her lover in the local cemetery, only to be attacked and killed by what seems to have been a leopard as well.
The producer isn't so certain this time around though. Things just don't add up. So he goes to speak with the cat's owner- who concurs with his speculation. They think a man is responsible for this...and that the leopard is being framed.
However, the local museum curator- Galbraith- fashions himself an expert, and remains adamant the leopard is to blame (convincing the police). Despite the protests put forth by the producer and owner of the cat.
Ironically, it's the murder of the leopard that helps them conclude and confront the killer for who he really is.
There's an odd sense of moralism spun into this film- but i couldn't tell if this was included for indoctrination purposes; or whether the filmmakers were subtly trying to undermine something they were forced to include. A couple examples being: the warning from the young girls mother, before she wanders off to the cemetery (and get's killed for it). And the producers admission that he has met some sketchy individuals in and around night clubs and bars.
Other than that, with it's short runtime it manages to keep you engaged in the mystery throughout- making it an entertaining little picture.
It's not terribly scary or anything, but there are some moments of tension. The best part about this film are it's transitions from plot element to plot element. It has a really nice flow.
I suppose it's also pertinent to note the misleading trailer- which made it seem like the killer was going to be some sort of leopard-man hybrid. It's not.
While not the most memorable film or anything, it's entertaining enough.
6 out of 10