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IMDbPro

Phantom Raiders

  • 1940
  • Approved
  • 1h 10m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
509
YOUR RATING
Steffi Duna, Walter Pidgeon, and Florence Rice in Phantom Raiders (1940)
Mystery

An insurance company tasks with Carter and Beeswax to go to Panama where cargo ships are mysteriously exploding and sending their valuable cargoes to the bottom with all hands.An insurance company tasks with Carter and Beeswax to go to Panama where cargo ships are mysteriously exploding and sending their valuable cargoes to the bottom with all hands.An insurance company tasks with Carter and Beeswax to go to Panama where cargo ships are mysteriously exploding and sending their valuable cargoes to the bottom with all hands.

  • Director
    • Jacques Tourneur
  • Writers
    • William R. Lipman
    • Jonathan Latimer
    • Joseph Fields
  • Stars
    • Walter Pidgeon
    • Donald Meek
    • Joseph Schildkraut
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    509
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jacques Tourneur
    • Writers
      • William R. Lipman
      • Jonathan Latimer
      • Joseph Fields
    • Stars
      • Walter Pidgeon
      • Donald Meek
      • Joseph Schildkraut
    • 20User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos18

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    Top cast48

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    Walter Pidgeon
    Walter Pidgeon
    • Nick Carter
    Donald Meek
    Donald Meek
    • Bartholomew
    Joseph Schildkraut
    Joseph Schildkraut
    • Al Taurez
    Florence Rice
    Florence Rice
    • Cora Barnes
    Nat Pendleton
    Nat Pendleton
    • 'Gunboat' Jacklin
    John Carroll
    John Carroll
    • John Ramsell, Jr
    Steffi Duna
    Steffi Duna
    • Dolores
    Cecil Kellaway
    Cecil Kellaway
    • Franklin Morris
    Matthew Boulton
    Matthew Boulton
    • John Ramsell, Sr
    • (as Mathew Boulton)
    Alec Craig
    Alec Craig
    • Andy MacMillan
    Thomas W. Ross
    Thomas W. Ross
    • Dr. Grisson
    • (as Thomas Ross)
    Dwight Frye
    Dwight Frye
    • Eddie Anders
    Hugh Beaumont
    Hugh Beaumont
    • Seaman
    • (uncredited)
    Guy Bellis
    • Pierson - Sir Edward's Aide
    • (uncredited)
    Dick Botiller
    Dick Botiller
    • Taurez's Henchman
    • (uncredited)
    John Burton
    • Steve Donnigan of Scotland Yard
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Coleman
    Charles Coleman
    • U.S. Agent Hilton
    • (uncredited)
    Franco Corsaro
    Franco Corsaro
    • Ysidro - Morris' Head Clerk
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Jacques Tourneur
    • Writers
      • William R. Lipman
      • Jonathan Latimer
      • Joseph Fields
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews20

    6.1509
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    Featured reviews

    7imauter

    Nick Carter is back again

    Phantom Raiders was the second (the first being 1939 Nick Carter - Master Detective) and the last film directed by Jacques Tourneur about the adventures of a popular detective Nick Carter whose character was created still in the end of the 19th century and who served as a protagonist of several films before this one during the silent era. Here yet again Walter Pigeon plays the main part of invincible detective and is joined once more by his peculiar assistant Bartholomew known as the Bee-man (hilariously played by Donald Meek). They were destined to reunite only once again the same year as Phantom Raiders to film Sky Murder but this time under the direction of George Seitz.

    In Phantom Raiders Nick Carter answers the duty call while on vacation and is sent to Panama to investigate the mysterious sinking of several cargo ships near the Panama coast where he is joined by his eccentric assistant Bartholomew who as usually provides sometimes a valuable help and on other occasions creates havoc though always remaining handy. Soon they discover that a nightclub owner Al Taurez is involved, but very soon our heroes discover to their disappointment that he's a bit tougher then appears to be at first sight. A little weaker than its predecessor - Nick Carter-Master Detective, The Phantom Raiders is still a decent viewing experience. 6/10
    6AlsExGal

    This detective flick doesn't have much mystery

    Second in the Nick Carter detective series, from MGM and director Jacques Tourneur. P.I. Carter (Walter Pidgeon) is hired to look into a series of mysterious explosions sinking ships near the Panama canal. It's all part of a insurance scam run by slick crook Al Taurez (Joseph Schildkraut).

    Unlike many B-detective flicks, this one isn't a mystery, as the crimes are clearly shown, as are the culprits, even before Carter makes his first appearance in the film. I haven't seen the first movie, but an introduction didn't really seem necessary, even if Carter's relationship to partner Bartholomew (Donald Meek) isn't explained. Meek seems like an unlikely detective, but he was enjoyably offbeat, particularly when he pretends to be a lunatic.

    Schildkraut makes for an excellent villain, and Pidgeon is amiable enough. His Carter seems more at home schmoozing in the nightclubs than throwing punches. However, since there is no mystery to the story, there isn't a lot of suspense, and some of the other supporting characters seem superfluous and distracting.
    6Doylenf

    A decent B-mystery from MGM with Walter Pidgeon as Nick Carter...

    As B-films go, PHANTOM RAIDERS is just a slight cut above a serial cliffhanger, the kind that the poverty row studios churned out in the '30s and '40s. Surprisingly enough, this one comes from MGM and has a certain gloss.

    It's fast moving, neatly developed and, except for some unnecessary comic interludes, provides a satisfying look at the pre-WWII era. Nick Carter (Pidgeon) is assigned to find out who is blowing up cargo ships in Panama for insurance money. We learn early on that the culprit is the cruel and cunning Joseph Schildkraut, always one step ahead of the authorities until the very end.

    Donald Meek has a rather annoying role as a bee-keeper who happens to be Carter's sidekick. His unlikely role is a departure from his usual "meek" roles but it becomes tedious after some comic interludes in a mystery that tries to blend corny humor with suspense. Thankfully, the good supporting cast includes Florence Rice, John Carroll, Cecil Kellaway and Nat Pendleton.

    Not bad, but easily a programmer you can afford to miss. Obviously made before Walter Pidgeon became a big name at Metro via being teamed with Greer Garson in a series of successful films.
    10chank46

    Great Fun!

    Phantom Raiders portrays a crime that is all to possible today, blowing up ships set off by electrical devices. However this was 1940, the era of the wisecracking detective and his sidekick neatly wrapping up the mystery in a little over an hour. What sets this film apart from other movies of the same type is its crackling good dialog, an insidious villain,(Joseph Shildkraut),the suave Nick Carter,(a clean shaven Walter Pigeon), his assistant, Mr Bartholomew (beautifully played by Donald Meek), the innocent ingénue(the captivating Florence Rice). Speaking of Florence Rice, she literally lights up the screen when she is on. At the same time vulnerable, adoring. Listen to the way she says "I love him", talking about her boyfriend, it will melt your heart. Highly recommend!
    7Handlinghandel

    A Chilling Concept

    Though he's the title character, Welter Pigeon plays a back seat to the villain. The villain is played smoothly by the superb Joseph Schildkraut. The rest of the cast is fun. Nat Pendleton is Schildkraut's bodyguard. Donald Meek is Pigeon's sidekick -- and a beekeeper, to boot. Florence Rice is very good in what looks like a sympathetic role, and is, though she's initially on the wrong side of the law.

    What makes this stand out is its plot. We see this at the very start; so I'm giving nothing away: Schildkraut is blowing up ships at sea to collect on their insurance. It's shocking to think of such cold-blooded behavior. But to underline the heinous nature of his crime, we see the captain and some crew members chatting just before theirs is blown to bits.

    This isn't the greatest of Jacques Tourneur movies. But his masterly touch is evident. Schildkraut is often photographed in profile and generally partially in shadow. He reminds one of a streamlined, custom-made sports car of the time. He is stylish -- and almost impossibly cruel.

    Related interests

    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Second of three "Nick Carter" films from MGM released 1939-40. The other two are Nick Carter, Master Detective (1939) and Sky Murder (1940).
    • Goofs
      At the beginning of the film a bet is made in pesos. The monetary unit in Panama is the Balboa, not the peso.
    • Quotes

      Nick Carter: Nice work, Beeswax. How does it feel to be crazy?

      Bartholomew: I didn't notice any difference.

    • Crazy credits
      No screen credit is given to Ormond G. Smith and John R. Coryell, who created the character of Nick Carter for pulp magazines.
    • Connections
      Followed by Sky Murder (1940)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 7, 1940 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Nick Carter in Panama
    • Filming locations
      • Canal Zone, Panama(exterior location shots)
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $217,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 10m(70 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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