Review of The Leopard Man (1943) by Bill B — 09 Nov 2013

What could happen to me?

A leopard escapes a local circus and is lost in the neighborhood. Shortly thereafter, numerous murders start occurring all over the city. Initially, everyone blames the leopard; however, as investigators look more into the crimes, it doesn't make sense that a leopard would kill so many people. Who could be behind the serial killings?

"Did you ever run into one of those when you went to the store for me? Then you won't now.".

Jacques Tourneur, director of Cat People, Curse of the Demon, I Walked with a Zombie, Out of the Past, City in the Sea, and They All Come Out, delivers Leopard Man. The storyline for this picture was better than I anticipated. The dramatic and kill scenes were fairly intense and I loved the characters. The acting was excellent and the case includes Dennis O'Keefe, Margo, Jean Brooks, and Isabel Jewell.

"When you marry Champaign, you cannot trade it in for beer.".

I DVR'd this picture off Turner Classic Movies (TCM) this holiday season because the plot sounded wonderful. I can tell you this was one of the better horror pictures I saw this holiday season. They do a good job of building up the victims so you feel vested in them before the murderer attacked. I felt that was very clever and smart way to draw the audience in. I do recommend seeing this underrated gem.

"I'm sick. Claw women, hurt little girls...".

Grade: B.