I sincerely hope my demise finds you well-suited to it. Horror mastermind Val Lewton collaborated with director Jacques Tourneur one last time for The Leopard Man. Taking place in New Mexico, the narrative follows Jerry Manning (Dennis O'Keefe) who brings a black leopard into the mix as a publicity gimmick for his nightclub partner, Kiki (Jean Brooks). Her competitor, Clo Clo (Margo), isn’t pleased and quickly frightens the animal, sending it fleeing into the darkness. Soon, alarm spreads as the cat seems to be responsible for fatal attacks. Manning & Kiki, feeling responsible, join the search for the escaped animal—but Manning begins to suspect that someone else is behind the killings. Adapted from Cornell Woolrich's "Black Alibi," The Leopard Man’s biggest fault is not measuring up to its earlier counterparts, Cat People and I Walked With A Zombie. Nevertheless, it remains a respectable Lewton/Tourneur production. The story itself is uncomplicated and direct, clocking in at just over an hour, which keeps the pacing brisk and free of unnecessary fluff. However, the film truly shines because of its atmosphere—relying on shadowy settings and unsettling stretches of silence. It also contains several scenes that stick with you long after viewing, whether it’s blood trickling beneath a door, the curve of a tree limb, or the dark space under a railway bridge; for such a brief, intense film, there is much to appreciate. The cinematography by Robert De Grasse (Vivacious Lady/The Body Snatcher) is excellent and deserves attention from fans of film noir. What isn't shown proves more impactful due to the unsettling feeling of dread that Lewton, Tourneur, and De Grasse create. It’s a good movie and demonstrates that effective horror can be made with limited resources. 7/10

Source on TMDB