Things Happen at Night | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Francis Searle |
Written by | St. John Legh Clowes |
Based on | The 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 by | David Hawkins |
Music by | George Melachrino |
Production company | Tudor-Alliance |
Distributed by | Renown Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 79 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
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]
In an English country house a poltergeist causes mayhem and ghost-hunters are brought in.
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.
It was shot at Twickenham Studios.
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]