Late at Night (film)

Last updated
Late at Night
Directed by Michael C. Chorlton
Screenplay by Henry C. James
Produced byHerbert Wyne
CinematographyJan Sikorski
Production
company
Bruton Films
Distributed byPremiere
Release date
  • 1946 (1946)
Running time
76 mins (later 69 mins)
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Late at Night is a 1946 British second feature ('B') [1] film directed by Michael C. Chorlton and starring Daphne Day and Barry Morse. [2] [3] It was written by Henry C. James.

Contents

Premise

Newspaper reporter Dave Jackson investigates a gang black marketeering in wood alcohol.

Cast

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Barry Morse struggles valiantly with the role of the newspaper reporter and gives a likeable performance, but he is hampered by a poor script, weak direction and by players who, with one or two exceptions, appear to have little idea of film acting. The film has some moments of unintentional humour." [4]

Kine Weekly wrote: "The picture has quite good atmosphere, a fair number of tense and exciting moments and a slap-up finale, and these qualities help its story cheapness and help to conceal histrionic deficiencies. Although admittedly smaller in stature than the average American gangster film, it nevertheless carries a kick. Its quota angle and convenient footage support its claim to second-feature honours." [5]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959, David Quinlan rated the film as "poor", writing: "Unintentionally funny thriller." [6]

References

  1. Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 35. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. "Late at Night". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  3. Chibnall, Steve; Murphy, Robert (1999). British Crime Cinema. Routledge. p. 191. ISBN   0415168694.
  4. "Late at Night". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 13 (145): 31. 1 January 1946. ProQuest   1305806933.
  5. "Late at Night". Kine Weekly . 349 (2031): 30. 21 March 1946. ProQuest   2687786659.
  6. Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 224. ISBN   0-7134-1874-5.