The Powell & Pressburger Pages Dedicated to the work of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and all the other people, both actors and technicians who helped them make those wonderful films. A lot of the documents have been sent to me or have come from other web sites. The name of the web site is given where known. If I have unintentionally included an image or document that is copyrighted or that I shouldn't have done then please email me and I'll remove it. I make no money from this site, it's purely for the love of the films. [Any comments are by me (Steve Crook) and other members of the email list]

Submitted by Roger Mellor

The Phantom Light (1934)
"Radio Times" film guide

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Director - Michael Powell
Starring - Binnie Hale
Running Time - 76 mins
Country of Origin - UK

This has gained a high reputation among Michael Powell's early films because of its good cast, lurid subject matter, continued availability, and tenuous links to later major works. But Powell is really sunk by the atrocious story, more suited to a Will Hay send-up, as new lighthouse keeper Gordon Harker uncovers a shipwreckers' plot. The director tried hard to create atmosphere with his limited location work at Portmadoc [well, in that area anyway] and by some dramatic lighting effects - and he obviously enjoyed having Binnie Hale show off her legs - but he achieved far more in some of his other B-pictures of the period.

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