Things Happen at Night

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Things Happen at Night
Things Happen at Night film Theatrical release poster (1948-2).jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Francis Searle
Written by St. John Legh Clowes
Based onThe Poltergeist
by Frank Harvey
Produced by James A. Carter
St. John Legh Clowes
Starring Gordon Harker
Alfred Drayton
Robertson Hare
Garry Marsh
Cinematography Leslie Rowson
Edited byDavid Hawkins
Music by George Melachrino
Production
company
Tudor-Alliance
Distributed by Renown Pictures
Release date
  • 3 November 1948 (1948-11-03)(London)
Running time
79 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget£78,000 [1]

Things Happen at Night is a 1948 British supernatural comedy horror film directed by Francis Searle and starring Gordon Harker, Alfred Drayton, Robertson Hare and Garry Marsh. [2] [3] It was written by St. John Legh Clowes based on the 1946 stage play The Poltergeist by Frank Harvey. Despite the film's comparatively large budget it ended up being released as a second feature. [4]

Contents

In an English country house a poltergeist causes mayhem and ghost-hunters are brought in.

Plot summary

An English country house is plagued by a poltergeist who destroys things in the home, rearranges pictures on the wall, and possesses the daughter of the owner causing her to be expelled from school. A psychic ghost breaker and an insurance agent help the homeowners battle and expel the spirit.

Cast

Production

It was shot at Twickenham Studios.

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This film may possibly achieve some measure of success due entirely to the well-established reputations of its three stars. Although the story has definite possibilities its treatment renders it lamentably un-funny. The pace is too slow, the gags feeble and obvious, whilst the whole production suggests a not very expertly photographed play taking place on the stage, rather than something devised and produced solely for the medium of the screen. Joan Young, as a housekeeper, and Gwyneth Vaughan, as Audrey, act everyone else 'off the stage'." [5]

Kine Weekly wrote: "The first reels are on the slow side, but immediately the co-comedians set to work to lay the ghost, or rather give it a dose of its own medicine, things buck up tremendously." [6]

References

  1. Chibnall & McFarlane p.39
  2. "Things Happen at Night". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  3. "BFI | Film & TV Database | Things Happen at Night (1948)". ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  4. Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 39. ISBN   978-1-8445-7319-6.
  5. "Things Happen at Night". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 15 (169): 172. 1 January 1948. ProQuest   1305814903.
  6. "Things Happen at Night". Kine Weekly . 381 (2167): 29. 11 November 1948. ProQuest   2687780296.