The Leopard Man (1943)

The Leopard Man (1943): adapted from the Cornell Woolrich novel Black Alibi by Edward Dein and Ardel Wray; directed by Jacques Tourneur; starring Dennis O'Keefe (Jerry), Margo (Clo-Clo), Jean Brooks (Kiki), James Bell (Dr. Galbraith), and Abner Biberman (Charlie): One of the more minor horror-noir collaborations between producer Val Lewton and director Jacques Tourneur nonetheless has some lovely, sinister, moody noir stretches of tension as an escaped leopard stalks citizens by night in a small New Mexico town. 

Or is it a leopard? Much of the acting is forgettable. The non-forgettable acting from Margo (whom I last saw in Lost Horizon) is seriously compromised by her character's incessant clicking of castanets. I kid you not. You cheer for the leopard to stop that damn noise! But the movie looks great and crackles in its most thrilling sequences of terror. Recommended.