The Phantom Killer (1942)

John Hamilton is a deaf-mute (or poses as one) in order to remove suspicion from him for his crimes. Mantan Moreland finds a body in an office building just after Hamilton asks him for a match and identifies him to the police from his picture in the paper. They are skeptical, however, because of Hamilton's deafness.

Dick Purcell is a young assistant DA whose sweetheart is Joan Woodbury. She is interviewing Hamilton for a story and gives him a certain alibi. But Purcell has researched a series of crimes and thinks Hamilton is the man because of the modus operandi. The D. A. lets him prosecute the case, but only to let him fail because he might be political competition. Woodbury sees through it, but he will not listen to her. Moreland flops as a witness, however, because he admits to having been drinking gin. The case fails because a doctor testifies that Hamilton is indeed deaf.

Woodbury goes on with the interviews with Hamilton. He offers a reward for anyone who can identify the killer. In the meantime, Purcell resigns as Assistant D. A. Later we learn that the highest key on the piano opens a secret panel in Hamilton's house. The police chief is hard after the force to solve the murder, and then Hamilton strikes again. Later the police lieutenant is strangled after he things he has the key to the case to convict. Woodbury, now convinced, insists on going on with the interviews since it is the only way they can get proof. She accidentally opens the panel and sees Hamilton's twin. She screams, and Purcell and the police come racing to the rescue.




Purcell


Hamilton