CITY OF MISSING GIRLS

Cinemavixion Review

Elmer Clifton's "City of Missing Girls" plunges viewers into the shadowy underbelly of a 1941 Los Angeles, where the glitz of nightclubs conceals a disturbing pattern of disappearances. The film masterfully intertwines the investigation of dancer Thalia Arnold's murder with a broader mystery surrounding vanished young women, painting a grim picture of exploitation within talent schools. H.B. Warner anchors the narrative as the determined Captain McVeigh, navigating a landscape of deceit populated by nightclub operators and ambitious reporters. While the production may reflect the stylistic conventions of its era, the thematic resonance of vulnerability and the predatory nature of certain industries remains potent. It's a compelling slice of vintage crime noir that offers a glimpse into a darker side of Hollywood's golden age, urging audiences to look beyond the superficial allure.