Things Happen at Night

Things Happen at Night
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	3 November 1948 (1948-11-03)(London)
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.

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

• Gordon Harker as Joe Harris
• Alfred Drayton as Wilfred Prescott
• Robertson Hare as Vincent Ebury
• Gwynneth Vaughan as Audrey Prescott
• Olga Lindo as Hilda Prescott
• Garry Marsh as Spenser
• Wylie Watson as Watson, the butler
• Joan Young as Mrs. Venning, the cook
• Beatrice Campbell as Joyce Prescott
• Grace Denbigh Russell as Miss Hancock
• Judith Warden as Mrs. Fortescue
• June Elvin as Mabel Minter
• Knox Crichton as Nobby Ebury
• Eric Micklewood as Robert Ebury
• Charles Doe as Bill
• Michael Callin as Mac
• George Bryden as Freddie Simpson
• Marilyn Williams as singer
• Peter Reynolds
• Patricia Owens

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.

External links

• Things Happen at Night at IMDb