Slimly-plotted but handsomely-produced second-biller about an escaped leopard in a small dirt town in New Mexico that may be the cause of several horrific deaths...or maybe not! Intriguing premise given stylish film-noir treatment. Performances are solid, and Jacques Tourneur's crafty direction allows viewers to see just enough before fading to black. Val Lewton produced, giving the proceedings his customary spooky polish; Roy Webb's background score is predictably dramatic, though the intermittent use of dead silence is even more effective (and the castanets were a nice touch). Story tails off near the end, but film is still a minor gem. Fantastically atmospheric and fun. Based on the book "Black Alibi" by Cornell Woolrich. *** from ****

This film had very modest pretensions, with a relatively low budget and second-string actors. Plus, at only 66 minutes, it's obvious that this was a "B-picture"--in other words, intended as the second and less expensive film on a double-feature. This isn't meant to insult the film, but to describe a style of film common mostly in the 1940s. Because of this, you really can't compare this film to A-pictures, but need to understand that despite the budget, this is an excellent film--though not as eerie or effective as other Val Lewton produced films such as THE CAT PEOPLE or I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE.

The film starts with a publicity stunt gone awry, as in the process a black leopard escapes and the town is quite naturally scared. Over the next several days, three women are mauled and this is assumed to be the work of the escaped cat. However, the exact cause of the deaths isn't sure--is it due to the leopard or is it murder?! The film had decent though not especially inspired acting. However, the plot itself was the star, as it took several nifty twists and turns and the film was intelligently written from start to finish. A smart and effective film that's well worth your time.

One of the annoying things about The Leopard Man is that this was not one of those spotted creatures from sub Sahara Africa. No this was a panther, a black panther and the film was falsely titled.

Dennis O'Keefe comes into Jean Brooks's dressing room with a black panther on a leash. He's her manager and thinks that a great publicity stunt would be for her to walk into a nightclub with it on a leash. They're in a small New Mexico town and this might make the big city papers. Brooks does it and upstages Margo doing her act with the castanets. The leopard gets frightened and bolts.

After that a series of mutilation murders occurs and public opinion is against O'Keefe. But he and Walker do a bit of their own sleuthing as you would expect.

Competent enough mystery thriller. Not too much suspense. I think that anyone who watches enough of these will have the murderer pegged early enough.

Good enough for most mystery fans.